Chapter Twenty:
Zaza, Rinrin, and Pati were still facing Ken, Jun, Kazuya, and Mabo. They hadnft moved an inch. All of a sudden, someone sneezed. And everyone sprang into action. Zaza and Jun circled around the trees moving at a lightning pace. Pati and Ken were matching each other blow for blow. Rinrin was holding her own against Kazuya and Mabo. She had managed to split them up creating 2 one-on-one fights, and her fast speed didnft give them a change to get an advantage over her.
Zaza and Jun were sparring away. However, Jun was more used to long range combat. He managed to defend himself very well against Zaza. She admitted to herself that he was a worthy opponent. Meanwhile, there seemed to be no end to Pati and Kenfs fight. They made the fighting look so easy as they dodged and parried.
Unfortunately for the princes, luck was not on their side. Jun tripped on a tree root, and Ken tripped over Jun. Rinrin took advantage of Mabo and Kazuyafs surprise to push them onto Jun and Ken, creating a pile of bodies as they struggled to get up. The girls advanced on the unfortunate heap, weapons ready. However, all of a sudden, Liss, Valle, and Betsy arrived. To the surprise of Rinrin, Pati, and Zaza, they stepped in between the girls and the princes, protecting the men they had grown to love.
gWhat are you doing?h Zaza asked surprised.
gDonft hurt them!h cried Valle. Kazuya looked up quickly.
gPleasech Liss pleaded, causing Jun to start.
gIfm just here because theyfre here. As if I would care for that half-naked egotistical nincompoop.h Betsy said quickly when Rinrin, Pati, and Zaza looked to her. She glanced at Mabo and looked quickly away, glad that her mask could hider her blush. Mabo couldnft help but grin a little even as he wondered why Betsy was one of the group that had stolen the Figurine of Hope.
gValle,h Kazuya whispered. She heard him but refused to look at him, afraid of what she might see in his eyes. Liss glanced at her twin and immediately understood.
gGet out of here,h she said. gNow!h
The four princes got up, with Ken looking confusedly at his brothers. They made their way slowly out. Liss looked back after Jun, but he had already turned away. Sighing, she turned back to Zaza, Pati, and Rinrin who were berating Valle and Betsy.
gWhat were you thinking?h
gTheyfre our enemy!h
gWhy did you protect them?h
Valle lifted her head defiantly. gWouldnft you protect the men you love if you were in our position?h
Rinrin looked from one to the other. gThey were the men you met earlier today?h All 3 girls nodded, downcast. Rinrin sighed. gWell, I guess you couldnft help it then.h
gRinrin!h gasped Pati. gBut what about our mission?h
Zaza put an arm sympathetically around Patifs shoulder. gMaybe therefs something here more important than our mission.h Pati looked at her and then at all the other girls. Without saying anything more, they all understood. Quietly, they all got ready to leave.
A sudden noise came from beyond the trees. Betsy stiffened. gSomethingfs heading our way,h she said tersely. The girls all readied themselves for another fight. All of a sudden, Angel, Denden, and Jewel appeared, supporting an ashen faced Aka. Betsy, Rinrin, Pati, Zaza, Valle, and Liss gasped in shock and raced to their leader. gWhat happened?h Valle asked.
Angel replied. gI donft know. She was attacked by someone, but we couldnft see who it was! But we need to get somewhere safe so we can heal her!h
gBack to the headquarters!h Hirari said but was interrupted by Dendenfs panicked voice. gWe canft! Itfs too far, and we have to help Aka NOW!h
Desperately, Jewel looked around, trying to think of the best plan. She suddenly noticed a rustling in a nearby bush. Swiftly, she raced over to the bush. gOuch! That hurts! Get off!h came a muffled cry before Jewel reappeared with a girl about their age. Curious, the girls stared at her and she stared right back.
gWhatfs your name?h Rinrin broke the silence.
gMinna.h
gWhat are you doing here?h
gI heard some noises and came to check it out.h Minna sneezed, and Zaza, Rinrin, and Pati exchanged glances.
gShe was the trigger that started our fight with those princes,h Zaza murmured to them. They nodded in agreement and looked to Minna who had heard them and was edging away from them.
gI didnft mean to!h she said quickly when she saw them looking at her. The three sighed and shook their heads.
gLooks like we have another Valle and Liss on our hands,h grinned Betsy, ducking away from the twins.
gEveryonecAka!h Angel cried urgently. gShefs getting worse!h The girls gathered around, their worry for their leader emanating from them. Minna watched them for a minute and then stepped forward. gMy house isnft too far from here. Well, itfs not so much of a house as it is a cavecbut itfs close.h
Hirari stood up. gWill that be alright with you?h Minna nodded. For some reason, she completely trusted these women and knew that they trusted her back. It was almost as if she had met them before.
gLead the way,h Denden said as she helped Aka up. All the girls silently followed after Minna, all hoping for the safe health of their leader.
On a nearby tree branch, Makoto narrowed his eyes. He had quite a bit to tell Lord Gackt and Lord Hyde. He disappeared into the dark with no one aware of his presence.
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