Chapter 30: Honour Match!*
2163 Words
Alannah woke up early like she always did. Carefully, she managed to untangle herself from Kurt and got out of bed. She smiled as she looked down at Kurt, who was snoring softly. He looked so adorable when he was asleep and Alannah still could not believe her luck!
Alannah got changed and picked her fighting fan up. She was as stiff as hell and she needed to loosen up! Alannah made her way to the training area and started her stretching. It was at that point James walked in sleepily and made his way to the kitchen. He stopped when he saw her.
“Morning, do you want some coffee?” James asked in a friendly tone.
“I don’t want anything from you, thank you!” Alannah said politely.
James sighed and said, “I deserved that, I suppose!”
Alannah did not reply and started her routine.
“You are really good!” James commented impressed.
Alannah head snapped towards James.“I did not know you were an expert in Tessenjutsu?” Alannah said her eyes narrowing
“Tessenjutsu?” James said and Alannah sighed in disgust.
“So you don’t know what Tessenjutsu is but, you think you can cast judgment on my abilities?” Alannah snapped
“Hey! I was just trying to..” James said holding up his hands in surrender.
“Trying to what?” Alannah demanded,
“Trying to apologise for what I said, it...it was inexcusable!” James said looking embarrassed.
“I am not a gold-digging w***e, in fact, my life was a lot simpler without Kurt!” Alannah said and James chuckled.
“I know that one! Seriously, please accept my apology. I know I was a t**t!” James said sincerely.
“Just a bit! But, I don’t hold on to grudges and I would like some of that coffee you were talking about!” Alannah said and relief washed over James’s face.
“Sure, I make a mean cup!” James said walking over to the kitchen and filled up the kettle.
“So, I don’t know much about you. How come you are here in China?” James asked
“Oh, normal story. Arsehole brother sold me off to pay for his gambling debts. I managed to pass all the tests to become a Nine-Tails and here I am!” Alannah said with a shrug.
“You know nothing is normal about that story?" James said handing her a coffee.
“It is around here!” Alannah said taking a sip. “Hmm, you are right this is good coffee!”
“See?” James said with a dashing smile.
“What about you? I am guessing you have been with Kurt a while? Especially, if you prefer Grace over me!” Alannah said pointedly.
“Ouch!” James said and Alannah shrugged again.
James was about to explain about them being childhood friends when there was a knock at the door.
“Hmm, the post is early” Alannah said as she walked over and opened the door.
“Packages for Alannah Seaswell,” A young courier said as he passed to large boxes to her.
“Err. thank you?” Alannah said unsure as she carried the packages to the table in the kitchen area.
“Did you order something?” James asked.
“Nope!” Alannah said as she opened the first box.
Wrapped in tissue paper was expensive black lace underwear. Complete with suspender belt and silk stockings. Not Alannah’s style at all!
“Well that is nice, I'm sure Kurt ..” James said.
“It is not Kurt, he prefers me naked!” Alannah said as she looked for the note.
There was none and she opened the next box. It was a necklace of a red dragon that was made of jewels. There was a note in with this box.
“A few gifts for my future Empress. As stunning as you will look in the underwear, I much prefer you to wear the necklace with nothing else on. I dream of the time where you are in my bed and thinking of no one else but me. Remember what I said, see who he runs to.
Yours forever,
Your Emperor “
“f*****g prick!” Alannah roared as she dropped the note and went to the cupboards in the kitchen. James picked up the note, his eyes widened in shock.
“Emperor? But that is the title of the head of the Japanese syndicate” James said confused
“I know! His name is Akihiko and he is a bloody cunt” Alannah said as she got a lighter and some firelighters. She grabbed the underwear box and went outside, with James following behind.
“Wait, does Kurt know?” James asked as Alannah went to the concreted area out the back. She dumped the box down and using the firelighters set alight to it.
“Yes and so does my Dad!” Alannah said.
“Ahh, so you found out you are a lioness, congratulations Alannah. You know if you didn’t like the gifts, you could have just sent them back” Akihiko said. Alannah’s head snapped up and saw two men walking towards them. One was Akihiko, the other she did not recognise.
“Akihiko!” Alannah hissed as she put herself in front of James to protect him and took out her fan.
“Hello Alannah, how lovely you look this morning!” Akihiko said smoothly.
“Cut the crap Akihiko, what are you doing here?” Alannah snapped.
“I am here for you of course. That and to introduce you to my second in command, Hakaru. I thought he should meet his future Empress.” Akihiko said formally.
The man with black long hair that was tied in a ponytail and a sword by his side bowed deeply.
“Gracious Empress, your reputation as a fighter proceeds you. However, I was not prepared for your beauty! It will be my honour to serve you!” Hakaru said with a smile.
“Have I well and truly gone through the f*****g looking glass? I am not going to be your Empress and you are mad coming here to my home!” Alannah shouted.
“No, I wanted to show you what a proper, worthy second in command looks like. Unlike James, who I presume is the man cowering behind you, Hakaru knows how to behave. He also understands how special you are and appreciates your skillset. I hear on the grapevine that a James does..not think you are a worthy Queena!” Akihiko said disapprovingly.
James step forward and spoke “Sorry is it Akihiko? Yeah, why don’t you go and buy yourself flowers and dinner so you can f**k yourself?! Alannah is going to be the British Syndicate’s next Queen, not your f*****g Empress. Just for the record, I am an awesome second in command!” James snapped.
“Did you just insult my Emperor?” Hakaru asked as he unsheathed his sword.
“What are you going to do? Hit me with your pointy stick?” James challenged.
“s**t!” Alannah said as he pushed James back. She quickly blocked Hakaru attack with her fan.
Hakaru smiled and said, “The rumours are true, but why protect someone who dishonours you so?”
“Because he might be a t**t, but he is my t**t! Now back off! This is your only warning!” Alannah warned.
“Test her abilities Hakaru. I value your opinion” Akihiko said.
“Honour match rules!” Alannah snapped.
“Still protecting James? How pathetic! Fine, we won’t attack James unless he makes a move.” Akihiko said and Hakaru nodded.
“Stay the f**k out of this James!” Alannah ordered as Hakaru attacked.
Alannah dodged the swings easily. Hakaru thrust and Alannah missed directed the attack with her fan. She punched Hakaru in the face with her other arm, breaking his nose. Hakaru stepped back and smirked.
“I see, I am going to have to go all out on you. It has been a while since someone has landed a punch!” Hakaru remarked.
“You can start by using your dominant hand!” Alannah said
“As long as you do!” Hakaru retorted. Both participants swapped hands and proceeded to exchange blows. Their moves were so quick, James could not see who had the advantage. Hakaru managed to slice Alannah’s shoulder, drawing blood. Alannah did not seem to notice and they started to circle each other.
“I am impressed Empress, your skill in Tessenjutsu is impressive. It is almost like you were destined to be our Empress!” Hakaru said with a smirk.
“I am soo happy you are impressed!” Alannah said sarcastically.
“Isn’t she just perfect?” Akihiko said with a smile
“Yes, Boss. She absolutely is. The syndicate is going to love her, the Dragon’s are going to adore her!” Hakaru said approvingly.
“Shut up!” Alannah screamed as she attacked.
Alannah managed to break a couple of Hakaru's ribs and was in the process of dislocating his arm.
Hakaru’s threw her to the ground and Alannah retaliated with a corkscrew move, making him fall face first. Alannah moved and pulled on his legs, stretching his joints painfully.
“Ahhh!’ Hakaru said.
“That is the problem with normal fighters, you all have a weakness. Underground fighters have to be good at all elements of fighting. Without your pointy stick, you are quite powerless” Alannah said pulling a bit more, making Hakaru scream a bit more.
“Let him go Alannah” Akihiko said
“Why? Your little visit not going to plan?” Alannah said
“Don’t make me punish you Alannah!” Akihiko warned
“There is nothing you can do to hurt me!” Alannah said not moving.
“Really?” Akihiko said as he started to move.
“It is an honour match! You can’t hurt James!” Alannah spat
“Oh, you protect him out of duty! No...I know you Alannah, which means I know how to hurt you!" Akihiko said picking up her fighting fan that she had let go of in the fight.
“No!” Alannah shouted as she released Hakaru and ran towards Akihiko. Akihiko grabbed her and pinned her to him. He then threw the fan to Hakaru.
“Destroy it!” Akihiko ordered. Hakaru started to destroy the fan
“No! Please don’t!” Alannah shouted and she started to struggle.
Akihiko held on and said “You did this, I just want to worship you. Remember that Alannah!”
“I hate you Akihiko! I f*****g hate you!” Alannah screamed as she watched her precious fan being destroyed.
“That is OK - love and hate are different sides of the same coin!" Akihiko said as he kissed her jawline and neck. “I would love to spend more time with you, but I have other appointments to keep.”
James watched as Akihiko released Alannah. He expected her to attack, but she ran over to the pile that was now her fan. Alannah hands were shaking as she crouched down and picked the bits up.
“I am sorry Empress!" Hakaru said softly. Alannah said nothing.
“Come Hakaru, we will see her later!” Akihiko promised.
James watched as they departed and then went over to Alannah.
“Alannah?” James said. She looked completely broken.
“My fan, my beautiful fan!” Alannah mumbled.
“Alannah let’s go inside!” James said softly crouching down beside her.
“Promise me that whatever happens, you will protect Kurt! If it is a choice between me and him, you will choose him. Don’t even think about it, just get him to safety. I couldn’t deal with it, if...if ...Akihiko hurt him! Promise me, James!” Alannah said staring straight into James’s eyes.
If James had any lingering doubts about Alannah’s love for Kurt, it disappeared at that moment. It was clear she would die in a heartbeat for Kurt and nothing mattered to Alannah more than his welfare.
“Kurt has finally found his soulmate! James thought.
“I promise, Alannah!” James said seriously and she nodded.
Alannah then picked up the bits of her fan and they went into the building. Matt was up making breakfast. He dropped what he was doing when he saw Alannah and James.
“What the f**k happened?” Matt growled glaring at James.
“My fan, he broke my Fan!” Alannah said.
- Writer
