WARRIOR DAUGHTER: STARFOX EDITION:
Here's Mariko's origin, unlike the the original version, this one is a bit more "StarFox Friendly". Read and enjoy!!!
Disclaimer: Mariko belongs to me, StarFox belongs to Nintendo, and Usagi Yojimbo belongs to Stan Sakai
Prelude- Imperial System: 10 years ago,
The young girl looked into the reflection in the pool she sat next to, staring at her reflection. "Who am I?" she asked the girl in the pool, "Why don't I recognize you?"
"Mariko!"
Miyamoto Mariko was startled out of her train of thought by her father's voice. "Yes Father." she replied.
Councilor Miyamoto sighed, though he loved his daughter dearly, she could be impulsive at times. Not a desirable trait in a samurai lady. A perfect example her impulsiveness was being shown right now, Lord Miyagi, was coming to negotiate a marriage between Mariko and his young son. It would be a great match, bringing honor to herself and the Miyamoto family. Unfortunately Mariko had chosen to run off somewhere, with only a few hours before their guests arrival. At times like this he wished she would be more like her brother. "Come now we must get ready for Lord Miyagi's arrival."
As she rose from her sitting position by pool, he marveled at how much Mariko looked like his late wife. He shook his head she would be a lovely woman. As they walked back to the house he remembered his shock when the doctor told him that he not only had a son, but a daughter as well. But the twins had come at a high price, the stress of their birth was too much for his wife's fragile heath. She had died shortly after. His son Usagi was the eldest, and had left for his samurai training under Lord Akira a few years ago. Ever since he left Mariko had been difficult, some said that twins had an unseen bond and Mariko was having difficulty adjusting to being separated from her brother. Lord Akira had reported that Usagi was doing well in his studies and would become an excellent samurai. Since it seemed that Usagi wasn't being affected by the separation, he doubted that it was the cause of Mariko's behavior.
Once at the house Mariko walked toward her rooms with her maids to prepare for the visit. She silently groaned as her maids primped and prepared her, she hated this. Why must a girl put herself through such things in order to receive a proposal of marriage? Her governess was drilling her how to act, what to say, what not to do in the presence of her future husband. The last was twice as long at the first two.
"It seems I have many faults." she remarked in a sweet, soft voice.
Lady Asano, reigned in her temper. She had warned her Lord that Mariko had been allowed to run free a bit too long. And should have been taught the finer arts well before her brother left. "It is that kind of behavior that will not get you a husband." she snapped. She calmed down a bit and continued "This marriage means allot to you father, so please for his sake be on your best behavior."
Mariko sobered, she did want her father to be proud of her. She sighed and nodded, and waited for her summons.
The meeting went surprising well. To the shock of Councilor Miyamoto, and all the present servants. All were waiting for Mariko to do something to ruin the whole thing. After the young couple had left for a walk in the gardens to get better aquatinted. The two fathers went on to discuss the final arrangements for the marriage contract.
A week later...
Mariko was wondering how she got into this. The contracts were signed, the match approved, her fate and future sealed. And the man she was to marry was about as interesting as a wall. A good samurai, but not the man she envisioned she would marry. Usagi was the lucky one, he was out there to become a samurai, and see and experience things she could only dream about as a woman. She sighed, her life had been plotted, planed and set for her since the day Usagi left for training. Her temper came to her rescue, this was her life! Not anybody else's, why should she spend the rest of her life being what everybody else wanted her to be? Her father wanted this marriage, and she wanted to make him proud, but at what price? She knew this, she was at a crossroads and two paths lay before her. Should she obey her fathers wishes and go through with the marriage? Or should she leave and try to find her own path?
Day of the wedding..
Usagi approached his home with mixed feelings. His sister was getting married today and was wondering how father had talked her into it. But if she agreed to it she must have wanted it. If there was one thing Usagi knew about Mariko it was you could not force her to do anything she didn't want to do. As he approached the house his father came out, and was surprised.
"Father?" asked Usagi, "What's wrong?"
"Is Mariko with you?" he asked.
"No. I assumed she was here." Usagi felt a sick dread come over him.
His father swallowed, "She's been gone most of the day, I assumed that she went down to meet you when you arrived..." he voice trailed off.
Usagi and his father searched the house and the grounds for they rest of the day. When Lord Miyagi arrived and discovered Mariko was missing, he too joined in the search. It was Usagi who found the note in his room later that night, and he knew without reading it what had happened. Mariko had made her choice, she had left to find her own destiny.
Chapter 1:
Borders between the Imperial System and the Lylat System: Present-
A cloaked figure sat at a corner table in a bar at the edge Imperial System, every person in that bar knew exactly what kind of person was sitting at that table. A Knight, a member of an ancient band of warriors so old no person knew the exact origins of the group. But all knew of the powers they wielded, all Knights had the power to alter the life force of anything or anyone to suit their needs. From fooling a guard to not see them, to focusing the energy to toss somebody across the room. They were also masters of a very unique type of sword, similar to a surge katana, it was the energy of the surge in pure form, and twice at deadly.
Mariko looked out from under her hood and smiled. Being a Knight did have it's advantages, it almost insured that she wouldn't be disturbed if she wanted a quiet drink. Soon after leaving home she snuck aboard a ship to get off planet. Soon after taking off the pilot found her in her hiding place. To Mariko's surprise he wasn't mad, he seemed almost glad to see her.
"My name is Arion little one. Why don't you come out and be more comfortable?" Once she was settled he asked. "Who are you?"
"My name is Mariko." she replied wary of him and his attitude to a stow-away.
"And why did you feel the need to sneak aboard my ship Mariko?" he smiled.
To her surprise she told him everything. After she finished, he laughed at her surprised expression. "People find it easy to tell me the truth. I am after all a Knight."
Her eyes widened, she had heard stories of the Knights but believed them to be only a legend. "I thought the last Knights died years ago."
"We still exist little one, but we are not as prominent as we used to be. You see my dear, I was told that a new Knight would come to me soon."
"Really?" she asked, "Where is that Knight? Who told you about him?"
"As to who told me, you'll learn soon enough. After all the next Knight is you."
Mariko shook her head remembering, she fainted. Once she came around he told her that all Masters, or Knights who became teachers, were drawn to new students but the energies that all Knights controlled. The choice to become a Knight was up to the student, and Mariko accepted. She made a mental note to see if Usagi's samurai training was anything like the hell she went through to become a Knight. Not only was she disciplined in the physical sense, but the mental sense as well, since that was the source of the Knights power.
After completing her training she had the choice, to serve as a Knight to some of the few lords who still employed Knights, or strike out on her own. She chose the second, Master Arion told her that if she still wanted to serve as a Knight to a lord she could later if she so wished. She ended up teaming up with a team of mercenary pilots, who called themselves StarFox. Which lead up to her being in this bar, watching her team mates enjoy themselves. After all they had just survived a nasty job, providing protection for a merchant convoy through the Katori controled areas of the Imperial System. They were attacked three times, and not one of the merchant's ships were lost. Fox, the leader of the team, had decided that a celebration was in order. Mariko didn't like going to the bars but followed to bail them out of jail if they got into a brawl.
"Hey Mari!" Falco, the avian member of the team plopped down in front of her. "We are suppose to be having fun, why do you insist on tucking yourself in a corner?"
She smiled "I am having fun watching you guys make complete fools of yourselves and keeping notes for future use in blackmail and embarrassment."
Falco rolled his eyes, knowing that she would do just that. He then went to join Slippy and Peppy who were making a pass at a very attractive lady. It was a quiet night, maybe they wouldn't have to use the cash they had just earned as bail money. Mariko looked up from her drink and nearly choked and muttered "Of all the places and all the bars in this port he had to chose this one." Wolf O'Donnell stomped into the bar with his team in tow and glanced around until they spotted Fox who was talking to a fellow pilot. Before Mariko could warn anybody of the impending disaster all four jumped on Fox. And his team, minus Mariko, jumped on them. This group of pilots went by the handle of StarWolf, and they were hired to get rid of them during the merchant convoy. They failed, and it looked like Wolf and company were taking it out on Fox and company. Mariko flipped up her table as a shield as Peppy hit it. He muttered something she couldn't understand before jumping head first into the brawl.
Thirty minutes later they were still going strong, the local police were slipping, usually it was less than ten minutes before they arrived. Mariko had finished her drink and was trying to remember was the standard bail was for this port. Finally several people had entered the bar calling for order. "It's about time!" muttered Mariko as she stood up and did a double take. These guys were not the local police that she was expecting they were samurai. "What the heck!?" she muttered. If memory served correctly, this was not something a samurai bothered with, they usually left things like this to the locals, these guys were not local.
As she helped some of the other patrons to their feet she gave the group that entered a good look. There were five total, two looked like the leaders of this group, the other three common samurai. Of the two leaders one was a rhino, she recognized him as the pirate Rhogen, she had heard rumors that he had gone straight, looks like those rumors were true. The other was a rabbit, he was defiantly in charge here, he appeared to be about her age and had a scar over his left eye. The rabbit looked real familiar, as if she should know him, or met him before.
She turned to leave the bar, "Better get back to the ship and get out the bail money." she muttered. She was almost to the door when Rhogen said something that made her blood run cold.
"Usagi! Take a look at this."
Mariko turned around and almost passed out. It finally clicked where she had seen that guy before. It was her brother! Mariko turned around before Usagi could get a look at her, she took several deep breaths and continued to calmly walk out the door.
Falco who was being hosted up by one of the samurai, and shoved into a transport to be taken to the local lock up. He spotted Mariko across the street, she gave him a nod before he was tossed in. Fox was also being lifted up, he ached all over. The owner of the bar was giving the statement, and thankfully he was pinning most of the blame on Wolf. They would hopefully get off easy. The rhino and the rabbit were over a body. The rabbit looked grim and stalked off, "He didn't like what he saw." muttered Fox as he was tossed in with the rest of his team. The luck was holding, Wolf and his team were in a different transport. As they headed out, Slippy asked, "Did anybody spot Mari?"
Falco answered, "Yeah, she was across the street when they tossed me in. I don't want to know how much this is going to set us back."
Meanwhile Usagi was walking down the street, Rhogen caught up with him. "Well?" Rhogen asked.
"A Ninja, this is only confirming what we have already heard." Usagi replied.
"But who killed that guy? Not the brawlers we took in, that guy was stabbed not of the brawlers had knives, let alone arcane blades equipped to surge, judging from the burns around the wound."
Usagi nodded, "First Lord Kiyoshi's ship breaks down and needs repair, that forces us to stop here for repairs. Then to find out the damage was deliberate, and making us stay here for longer than planed and now a ninja." he paused "I believe it points to one conclusion."
"Yeah, somebody is trying to kill Kiyoshi. But who?"
Mariko was nearby, following the pair as they entered an inn. She caught enough of the conversation to figure out the rest. It answered allot of questions, if the Lord of Shirohoshi Clan was at this port no wonder the security was so tight. She headed back to the Great Fox, better bail Fox and others out before she dealt with her brother.
Chapter 2-
In the lock up Fox, Falco, Slippy, and Peppy were in one cell, while Wolf and his crew were in another. Fox was rubbing his head, "Owww." he muttered.
"Hey, how you doing Fox?" Falco asked.
"Been better, anybody heard from Mari yet?" Fox replied.
"Nope." Peppy continued, "I wouldn't be surprised if she left us here for the night."
"Hey Fox!" snarled Wolf, "Where's your little squeeze? Isn't she here to save you yet?"
Fox tensed, he was a little touchy when it came to references to his and Mariko's relationship. He was about to jump up with every intention of wringing Wolf's neck and loving every minute of it. Falco and the others held Fox down. Slippy whispered, "We are in enough trouble Fox! Don't get us any deeper!"
"If you are so interested in where I am Wolf, why don't you just look up? Or is your sight so bad you couldn't hit the broadside of a freighter from the inside?" Mariko's cloaked figure drifted into sight with a guard in tow. He was busy letting Fox and the others out while Wolf fumed over the insult Mariko gave him.
After they were outside Mariko gave them a bit of good news, "I was able to convince the owner not to press charges, so you guys got off light." She smiled, "Wolf on the other hand...."
Fox finished her sentence, " ...is going to be in there for awhile." The other three drifted off to give Fox and Mari a bit of privacy. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Been better. Usually you can give us some warning, what happened?"
"I'm a Knight Fox, I'm not perfect. StarWolf must of caught on to me warning you, and jumped you less than ten seconds after walking in the door." she replied.
"You being perfect is a matter of opinion Mariko." giving her a smile. She almost melted, she had fallen for Fox and fallen hard. She shook her head. Telling she was doing one of her vanishing acts again was not getting any easier as their relationship was getting more serious. Fox frowned "I know that look, and I still don't like it."
"I'm sorry." she murmured, he turned away. She pleaded "Fox, this is who and what I am. If I could change it I would."
He spun back around, "The last time this happened you were nearly killed! How many times must you do this? I hate not knowing Mari!"
Mariko flinched, if he didn't follow her last time a rogue Knight challenged her, she would have died. "If I could back down I would Fox. If it makes you feel any better this doesn't have anything to do with the Knights."
That took some of the sting out of his voice, "Okay, what does have to do with this?"
She looked up to the night sky, "See that star there? The bright orange one?"
"Yeah," he answered "what is it?"
"The White Star Castle, the main stronghold of the Shirohoshi Clan." she paused "The clan my family is a part of."
"What!?" Fox's jaw about hit the floor.
"Didn't lie to you when I said I left my family. I didn't elaborate on the reasons either, let's just say that a lady doesn't have much freedom, and imagine me in that kind of world." Mariko sighed, "Now it looks like a part of that past is catching up with me."
"So this vanishing act has to do with your family?" Fox shook his head, "Why now?"
"I wish I knew Fox, but this is something I have to do. That much I do know."
He hugged her, "Just come back in one piece." he smiled, "Falco and Peppy will have a fit if we have to train another pilot."
"I promise." with that Mariko melted into the night.
Meanwhile, Usagi was pacing at the inn he, along with the rest of the group traveling with Lord Kiyoshi was staying at. It was only suppose to be a simple diplomatic mission to a neighboring system. From the beginning things were going wrong, slowing the mission down and allowing the young lord to be vulnerable to attack. Since Kiyoshi was so young, he had no sons or other heirs. If he should die the clan would be dissolved and it's properties distributed to other lords. As one of Lord Kiyoshi's personal advisors and bodyguards it was his primary duty to make that didn't happen. He was brought out of train of thought but Rhogen entering the room.
"Bad news ears." he grumbled.
Usagi sighed, "What?"
"That ninja we found? He wasn't killed by an arcane blade like we thought. He was killed by a arcane saber."
Usagi raised an eyebrow, "I've never heard of that type of blade. Where did it come from?"
Rhogen swallowed, "I have heard of it and seen a demonstration of it. It's the traditional weapon used by Knights."
"Knights?" Usagi was shocked, "I thought the Knights no longer existed, let alone killing ninja." He began to pace, "Do know of any place we could go to find out more?"
"I'm one step ahead of you there." answered Rhogen, "You know one of the groups of brawlers we grabbed tonight? Well I knew them and they have a fifth member who is a Knight."
"Well lets go and ask them, and see if we can question this Knight." Usagi was heading for the door when Rhogen stopped him. "What?"
"I already tried, Fox and his group was bailed out a few hours ago. Only the Gods know where they are now." answered Rhogen.
"What about the other group?" asked Usagi.
"StarWolf? Archrivals of Fox's and overall trouble makers. Why do you ask?"
"If they hate him so much wouldn't they know about everybody on that team?" snickered Usagi.
"I'll head down there and ask a few questions. Want to come?"
"I don't think so, since I'm the one who pulled them off of the one they were beating on I don't think any of them would want to talk to me. I'll get out of uniform and scout around a few more hell-holes, if there is a Knight lurking around somewhere he has to be hiding. Maybe I can figure out where."
"Good luck." Rhogen left as Usagi changed.
Mariko was on a nearby roof watching the conversation through a window. By reading lips she was able to follow most of the conversation. As soon as Rhogen left the building she touched her comm-link and called the Great Fox, Falco answered. "What's up Mari?"
"Trouble. Remember that little tiff you guys got into? Well somebody was killed, and since they can't question you guys anymore they are going to question Wolf. Need I say more?"
Falco groaned, "Wolf will finger us even if they know we're innocent. So we're going off planet ASAP?"
"Not exactly," she started, "you guys are going off planet, I'm staying here."
"NO WAY!," Falco paused, "I am not telling your boyfriend that we are leaving without you."
"We may not have a choice Falco. I don't want to bail you out again. Knock Fox out if you have to, and leave my arwing in a hanger I'll be fine." she pleaded.
"What the hell I'm suppose to do when he wakes up and finds out what happened?"
"Deal with it." she stated, "Call me back after your off planet to tell me where you stashed my ship. Later." with that she turned the communicator off and saw that Usagi was leaving the inn, she followed suit.
Chapter 3-
About two hours later Mariko was sitting in a bar trying to screw up the courage to talk to her brother at the counter when she received a buzz on her communicator. She retreated to a corner before answering. "Yes?"
Falco sounded fried, "Okay, we're off planet, your arwing is in hanger 4 section 9 listed under your handle."
She was almost afraid to ask, "How's Fox?" She dreaded the answer to this one.
"We had to hit him over the head with one of Slippy's tools to keep him on ship. And currently we locked him in his room with Slippy and Peppy guarding the door with stun guns. How do you think he is?" Falco's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Mariko flinched, "I'm gonna pay for this aren't I?"
"You bet you are...." a noise in the background interrupted Falco, "Oh boy, guess who got loose, gotta go before he makes it here or the hanger. Later!" just before the line was disconnected Mariko swore she heard Fox's snarl. "I'm gonna die." she muttered.
Rhogen entered the bar and sat next to Usagi, "Well, I've got good news and bad news which do you want first?"
"The bad, get it over with."
"I checked, StarFox's main ship, the Great Fox took off less than three hours ago."
"Drat!" Usagi was almost counting on being able to catch that team, and question that Knight.
"Now here's the good part, I was able to get some viable information out of StarWolf, they told be that the Knight is a woman who goes by the handle of Mari. And though the Great Fox is off planet one of the teams arwings was left behind in a hanger. Guess who's name is on the register?"
"Her's?"
"You got it, I asked one of your men to keep an eye on the hanger. Wolf told me of one other detail, Mari has a tattoo over her right eye, a red slash that goes from her temple to over the eye and another slash that goes through her eye making a t-bar shape. That should make her easier to find."
"You did better than I did. Looks like one aspect of the Knight's legend is true, you don't find them, they find you." Usagi walked toward the door, Rhogen followed.
As they walked and discussed plans Mariko followed, she made a mental note to hurt Wolf next time she saw him or his ship next time they met. As they walked down the street Mariko's instincts went into overdrive, that only happened when another Knight was in they area, and that Knight wanted her to know it. She began to scan the area, her hand resting on her weapon.
The hair on the back of Usagi's neck began to stand on end, he got a sick feeling of dread as well. On instinct his hand when to his sword, Rhogen saw the movement and reached for his blaster. The next thing Usagi knew, Rhogen was tossed away as if he weighed nothing. He drew his sword preparing for battle. A blade that resembled a beam of light more than a sword was coming straight at him. For a short time he was able to hold off the attacker, but his appoinent moved to fast for him. He was thrown hard on his back as his sword spun away, as his attacker stood above him laughing as he prepared to give him a death blow.
"No!" roared another voice, out of nowhere a second cloaked figure appeared, and blocked the deadly blow with a similar weapon. The first backed off for a moment, then attacked the second, the fury and the speed at which the two were fighting was impressive. Usagi got up and retrieved his sword, Rhogen had done the same. "Freeze!" Usagi roared, Rhogen was aiming his weapon at the two combatants.
The pair froze, the first one simply vanished, the second swore. Usagi continued, "Drop your weapon." The cloaked figure sighed.
"Rhogen, please explain to your friend that won't do any good?" Silently Mariko was thinking that this little reunion was off to a wonderful start.
Rhogen sighed, "She's got a point, Usagi. If she wanted it back it would be in her hand before we could blink." he lowered his blaster, and motioned for Usagi to do the same, reluctantly he reshethed his sword. The figure pressed a switch on her weapon and the blade seemed to retract into it's handle. She shoved her cloak behind her shoulders and hung the weapon on her belt.
"I believe that you two are looking for me?" Mariko crossed her arms over her chest waiting for their reply.
Usagi looked her over. So this was a Knight, she appeared to be his age and she wore a black jumpsuit with a blood red tabard that reached just below her knees, Red boots and gloves completed her outfit. The full length cloak swirled around her giving he an aura a mystery, it's hood was pulled up around her face, but he could clearly see the red tattoo over her eye, it was a stark contrast to her white fur. "Mari, I presume?" It was more of a statement than a question. She nodded.
"And the next time you go looking for Knights be more careful, as you found out some of us don't want to be found." Usagi bristled.
"If you knew we were looking for you why didn't you come forward?" Usagi snapped.
"A high ranking samurai, and a pirate are looking for you, you happen to be a mercenary pilot, what would you do?" she quipped.
Rhogen grinned, "She's got a point Usagi."
"Don't encourage her!" he snapped back. Rhogen continued grinning.
Mariko sighed, "If you want to talk I'll be happy to help you. That is, if you are going to treat me as a person and not a common criminal."
Usagi nodded and headed back to the bar. After a brief discussion with the owner the trio went into a backroom. The room was set up with a table and several chairs. Usagi motioned for her to sit down, after she was seated he began to talk. "What do you know about that ninja that died?"
"Nothing other than he was killed by a rogue Knight? Nothing."
"Were you in the bar?"
"Yes, but since he wasn't going after me I didn't see him."
Usagi shook his head, this was going nowhere. He stood up and began to pace. Rhogen took over the questioning. "What's a rogue Knight?"
Mariko took a deep breath and answered "All Knights are governed by a code, outlining the use of our powers and skills. The role of a Knight is a protector and a defender of our lords, allies and others. Some Knights stray from the code and are considered Rogues by other Knights. Part my own duty as a Knight is to protect others from Rogues and insure they meet justice any way possible. If that means a duel to the death, then so be it." she paused and looked Usagi straight in the eye and continued "It's similar to your own code of Bushido."
Usagi froze before answering, "How would you know about Bushido?" he hissed. Bushido was the code of honor that every person born the the upper, or samurai class, knew and lived by in the Imperial System. As such very few people outside the Imperial System knew about it.
Rhogen was wondering if he was going to have to restrain Usagi, ever since Tomoeh died he had been on a short fuse. Tomoeh was a samurai from the Mino Clan. In a very short time the two become close. Chances were that they would have been married by now if she hadn't died in battle. Knights were very good at mind games and this one was pushing all the wrong buttons on Usagi. What made it worse is that she was perfectly aware of what she was doing and was pushing the limits.
Mariko was worried, she could sense that her brother was vulnerable in some way. Something recent had weakened him. It wasn't physical, it was mental and emotional. Any Knight could see it, that made him an easy target. He couldn't see what she was doing, purposely pushing his buttons to get a reaction. Anybody could see that trick coming, but if he couldn't even see this how was he to defend himself from a Rogue Knight? In order to help him she had to tell the truth of who she really was, and if that meant angering him even more then so be it. It was the price she was willing to pay to save his life. Without breaking eye contact she continued "I was born in this system, and raised under the code of Bushido."
"Who are you?" Usagi had to grip the back of a chair to keep his hands off of her. Something was nagging him in the back of his brain. Part of him was screaming that he knew this girl, and she knew him. He knew she was purposely provoking him, and he didn't care one bit.
Mariko slowly stood up, Rhogen couldn't help but notice the difference in the stances in the couple before him. Usagi was so angry that you could feel the fury around him. While in contrast Mari was the very picture of poise and calm control, completely unruffled despite the fact that the man in front of her appeared that he would enjoy beating her to a pulp.
She sighed, and slowly pulled off her hood, Rhogen noticed that she was a rabbit like Usagi, and a very attractive one at that. Straight black hair was pulled back in a pony tail and framed her soft features. It amazed him that someone so young and fragile looking could be such a fierce warrior. What was even more shocking was her next line, without breaking eye contact she asked Usagi, "Who do you think I am.....Brother?"
Chapter 4-
Backroom of the bar....ten minutes later....
Rhogen pulled the dazed Usagi to his feet, he was absently rubbing his jaw, while across the table Mariko was holding an ice pack to her left eye. "Did Lord Akara teach you that right hook during your training?" Mariko, despite that fact she was going to have a lovely shiner later, seemed to be incredibly pleased with herself.
Rhogen looked worried, "Please don't push it anymore. He's had a bad day." Usagi struggled against his friend's grip, Rhogen let go. Mariko handed him another ice pack, he almost refused it but decided to accept it once the pain in his jaw really hit him.
"Where in the hell have you been?!?!" Usagi snarled. Before Mariko replied Rhogen interrupted .
"Can we play family reunion later? Last I looked, we were trying to figure out who was trying to kill Lord Kiyoshi." Rhogen was exasperated, he wasn't quite quick enough to stop Usagi earlier and he didn't want to try again either.
"Since it seems that there is a Rogue Knight involved I'll be happy to help out." Mariko volunteered.
Before Usagi could say anything, Rhogen pulled him aside. "Okay Ears, before you start screaming at her again, use you head, please?"
"Meaning?" Usagi muttered.
"Meaning that Knight went through us like nothing and let's face it we need help. Now we have a Knight who is willing to assist us and I think we should accept her offer of help."
"There is no way I am accepting help from my sister now." Usagi hissed, "She ran away from her honor and her duty ten years ago, if she wanted to help she should have fulfilled her duty ten years ago."
"If she did that we would be dead right now." Rhogen grinned, "Face it Usagi, she saved your life and by your own code of honor you owe her big-time."
From across the room Mariko saw her brother's jaw drop. Whatever Rhogen said to him cooled him off in a hurry. Both men came back to the table where she was sitting. "We accept your offer of assistance." Usagi could barely get the words out. Rhogen was grinning like a madman and decided to make him squirm a bit more.
"We had better get back to the inn and report to Kiyoshi, would you care to join us? I'm sure Lord Kiyoshi will have many questions that you could answer Mari?"
Mariko nearly lost it, the look on her brother's face was priceless. She could see that Rhogen was doing this on purpose to annoy Usagi, and decided to rub salt into the wound like any good sister would do. "I would be honored, and please call me Mariko."
As the trio walked back to the inn, the mood was tense to say the least. Mariko tried to start a conversation with Usagi, but it was like talking to a wall, so she gave up for now. Once they arrived at the inn Usagi led them to Kiyoshi's room so they could make a report.
Mariko was surprised, for such a young man, Kiyoshi had a maturity that belayed his young years. He would become a great lord, Mariko could see that already, and the Gods knew that there were not enough. Kiyoshi was able to hide some of his surprise. Usagi had a nasty bruise on his jaw, there was a young woman with him who, despite the beginnings of a black-eye, was the very picture of serenity. While Rhogen was grinning as if he had pulled off the greatest heist. "I take it that you had an interesting evening?"
"Yes Lord." began Usagi, "We have a few leads on who is responsible for the attempts on your life. We believe that a Knight is behind the attacks."
Kiyoshi's eyebrows went up, "Why a Knight?"
"Because one attacked us earlier Lord Kiyoshi." began Rhogen, "And a Knight killed a the ninja, to whom we traced your ships sabotage."
"The Knight's powers are legendary. How do you recommend we defend against one?" asked Kiyoshi.
"I believe that's where I come in my lord." murmured Mariko, "My name is Mariko. I witnessed the attack on both Usagi and Rhogen and, as a Knight myself, assisted them. I would be honored to offer any assistance to you."
"Thank you." replied Kiyoshi, "Do you know anything about the other Knight?"
"I wish I did." answered Mariko, "All I know is that he now knows there's another Knight around, he won't be as public now."
Kiyoshi nodded, "I believe that you and Usagi can work some from of defense against this Knight. Any objections Usagi?" Both Rhogen and Mariko were waiting for Usagi to object on some grounds.
"Of course not my Lord." replied Usagi, "Now if you'll excuse us we have a great deal to discuss." motioning to Mariko to follow he left the room.
After they left Rhogen remarked "Now that's going to an interesting discussion." Kiyoshi looked confused.
"Why do you say that?"
"Did you know that Usagi had a sister?"
Meanwhile Usagi had ushered Mariko into his room. "Why do I have a feeling that this discussion is not going to deal with the threat over your lord?" remarked Mariko after Usagi shut the door.
"You broke Father's heart." muttered Usagi.
"I know," began Mariko, "I could either please him and be miserable for the rest of my life, or go out on my own and try and explain my actions later. From what I heard I lost on both accounts."
"You knew about his death?!" Usagi was shocked. Their father had been killed, and the killer was found to a member of the clan. This had happened less than a year ago. Usagi thought if Mariko was still alive, and in the Imperial System she would have come home.
She nodded and as if reading his mind answered, "The dishonored daughter would not have been welcomed with opened arms. I visited the memorial after everyone had left." she shook her head, "No mean feat mind you, I had joined StarFox by then we were in the Lylat System in the middle of some nasty battles when I heard about his death." She sighed, "I wish I could have explained what I did."
"Why now?" asked Usagi, "Why after ten years come back now?"
"It seems right I guess." she answered "You need help Usagi, I not just with Lord Kiyoshi. Something happened to you, recent, and it's taken a toll. Unless you deal with it, and soon, it could cost you your life."
"What happened to me is none of your concern!" he snapped with such venom it took Mariko off guard.
"It is if you are going against a Knight Usagi." snapped Mariko, "The main weapon of the Knight's is the mind. Ours and others. I can see that something's wrong with you, and if I was a Rogue Knight I could exploit it. A good example was that little episode in that backroom, a doubt under normal conditions you would have tried to deck me. No matter how mad you have been at me."
Before Usagi could reply a knock at the door stopped him. It was Rhogen, "Uh Usagi, Lord Kiyoshi wants to talk to you in private."
"Of course." he left the room with Rhogen.
Mariko resisted the urge to search the room for about ten seconds. Almost on instinct she was drawn to a small cabinet, on top was a projector of some type. Taking a deep breath she turned it on, the image of a young woman appeared, as the image played pieces were falling into place.
Chapter 5-
"You have got to be kidding!' Usagi was taken completely off guard by what Kiyoshi just told.
"I wish I was Usagi, but the contract is still valid, even after ten years." he paused before continuing, "If that Knight is your twin sister Mariko, then I have to contact her betrothed."
"Pardon me for saying this Lord, but I really don't think he'd want to marry her now." replied Usagi. Telling Mariko this was going to be interesting to say the least.
"I agree, but we still have to do it." a thought came to Kiyoshi, "What if her betrothed wants to marry her any way?"
"If Mariko doesn't want to go through it, she'll vanish again. Even if we try to restrain her, if she's got only part of the power that the Knights are rumored to have I doubt we could force her into the marriage."
"So," Kiyoshi asked, "how are you going to tell her?"
"Carefully." replied Usagi.
Meanwhile, in Usagi's room Mariko had just finished watching the recording of Tomaeh. The pieces slipped into place. Her brother loved this woman, and judging from his attitude she must have died recently. "Oh boy," she murmured, "this is going to be tougher than I thought." She was distracted from her train of thought by her communicator beeping.
"Mari here." she answered.
"When are you coming back?" Falco asked, he sounded worse than fried. He sounded like he was at his wits end.
Mariko flinched, "Why do you ask?" Though she had a pretty good idea what was going on aboard the Great Fox.
"Do you have any idea what we have had to do to keep him aboard ship?"
"No, but I can imagine." she sighed, "How bad is it?"
"Okay, we had to lock down all the arwings, change the access code to the bay doors, and Peppy is with him now locked in his room." Falco paused, "Any other stupid questions?!"
Before Mariko could answer, Peppy's voice broke in. "He got away from me!" That statement was followed by a load crash and the sound of a tussle. Usagi walked in to hear the racket from Mariko's communicator, he raised his eyebrows in an unasked question.
"Don't ask." she muttered before speaking to the communicator, "Well, since you guys are busy I'll sign off for now." Before she could turn it off another voice broke in, "Don't even think about it!"
"Oh." replied Mariko, "Hi Fox." she squeaked. Usagi began to grin at his sister's squirming, Mariko shot him a dirty look.
"What was the big idea of telling my crew to hit me over the head and keep me locked in my room." he hissed.
"Well, I didn't exactly tell them to knock you out." she began, "I said only if they had to, I had hoped they would resort to rational discussion before brute force." Her brother was not helping at all, he was snickering at her as she was trying to get out of this mess.
Fox continued, "You better have a good reason for this." Fox was currently holding a blaster to Slippy, Falco and Peppy to keep them from trying anything else. They were currently trying to find the nearest escape route.
Mariko rolled her eyes, normally she would have loved to tell Fox all the details, but not with her brother in the room. "Oh look, something's come up Fox. I guess I'll have to call you back. Bye!" She quickly hit the disconnect switch before Fox could reply. Usagi was still snickering.
Silently he was thinking on her reaction to what he was going to tell her about her betrothed. If he was reading her right, looks like she was involved with someone else, this could be entertaining. She glared at him, "What's so funny?" she asked.
"Looks like this is more complicated than I thought." he fought to keep a straight face. "I talked with Lord Kiyoshi, he said that your betrothal contract still stands."
"WHAT!!!???"
Rhogen was talking with Kiyoshi when the irate yell reached them, "What was that?" he asked.
"Looks like Usagi just told his sister something she did not want to hear." replied Kiyoshi.
"You have got to be joking!" Mariko was expecting anything but this. "You mean to tell me that after ten years that guy has not found another wife?"
"That's about right."
"Since I'm back in the picture Lord Kiyoshi still wants me to go through with that damn contract!"
Usagi nodded.
"Do not tell me that you actually want me to go through with this?"
He raised an eyebrow, "I'm not crazy enough to say that, but I did state that you're not the same lady you were ten years ago. If we explain things the contract might be dissolved."
"Might!?" snapped Mariko, "And why are you still fighting to keep a straight face?"
"First answer, since he hasn't married in all of these years, Lord Miyagi's son may still want to marry you, Knight or not. Second answer? Who's Fox?"
Mariko swallowed before answering, "He's the leader of the team I'm a member of, his handle is StarFox. Any other questions?"
Usagi snickered, "What would happen if I told him about your betrothal?"
"You don't want to know." she answered deadly serious. "Can we get back to the main problem? Like how are we going to defend Lord Kiyoshi from that other Knight?"
"Good point." He replied, "We'll worry about your betrothal later. So where do we begin?"
"With teaching you how Knight's work and fight." Mariko took a deep breath, "Prepare yourself Usagi, it's time to see who's training was tougher."
Chapter 6-
After Rhogen had left Lord Kiyoshi was preparing for bed. The hair on the back began to prick and his sensed somebody behind him. On pure reflex he dashed to the cabinet where his swords rested, but before he could reach them he was tossed across the room. Once his head cleared he saw only a cloaked figure above him.
"Your senses are sharp young one. It is a pity I must kill you, you might have made a fine warrior." the figure remarked. He pulled his weapon from his belt and activated it, the blade glowed with it's energy as it descended on him.
Rhogen heard the crash and yelled an alarm. Usagi and Mariko were there and through Lord Kiyoshi's door in less than a minute. Mariko took one look at the Knight and attacked, drawing her own weapon as she leapt at the Rogue, getting between him and Kiyoshi.
Almost in one fluid movement the Rogue changed from his attack to a more defensive position. "So we meet again my dear." he sneered. "Pity. I do not have the to truly test your skill, I do have a mission to complete."
"Not if I have anything to say about it." growled Mariko.
"I'm afraid I must assist." the Rogue lunged.
Mariko was able to block most of the blow but the Rogue's saber cut into her arm, for a split second her focus faltered. He took advantage and with a simple hand gesture was able to toss her into the nearest available wall. Now completely dazed he walked over to her and muttered, "You are the only stumbling block in my path. Once removed nobody will be left to stop me."
A roar from behind him caused him to pause, Usagi had drawn his own swords and leapt into the fray. The Rogue sighed, "You samurai, are not even a threat." He then focused on Usagi for a moment.
Usagi's whole focus seemed to change, from his perspective he seemed to be back on White Star Castle at the moment when he was dazed and helpless as Tomaeh defended him from the Katori General who was attacking him. An act that cost her life and he was able to do anything to prevent it. He buckled and collapsed, unable to fight the images that played over and over in his mind.
The Rogue satisfied that Usagi would no longer be a problem, he turned to take care of Mariko. He was greeted by a left hook. "As Master Arion once told me, sometimes the old fashioned approach is the best." Mariko told the stunned Rogue as she gave him a few well placed kicks. As she kept the Rogue distracted she yelled, "Get Usagi out of here! He'll be in that state as long has he's in here." Rhogen complied.
Kiyoshi grabbed her sword from where it had fallen and tossed to her. "Thanks." she told him as she trained her weapon at the Rogue. "You have two choices," Mariko told him, "leave in peace, or in pieces."
"Your reputation precedes you my dear. I will leave as you wish, but we will meet again." with that he simply vanished.
"How does he do that?!" stated Kiyoshi.
"If I knew that trick, I would have stopped him from doing it to get in here Lord Kiyoshi." answered Mariko. She then looked at the wound in her arm, "Ow." she muttered.
Mariko wanted to check on her brother, if that Rogue did to him what she thought he did. He was going to be very shaken to say the least. Kiyoshi on the other hand insisted that she get her own injuries treated first.
"Lord Kiyoshi I appreciate the concern..."
Kiyoshi cut her off, "I don't think you'll do anybody any good if you continue bleeding like that." The doctor came in and patched up her arm. "I'm sure Rhogen will stay with him until you can get there."
Once treated Mariko quickly got herself to her brother's room. Rhogen was pacing outside the door. "How bad?" mummered Mariko as she approached.
Rhogen looked relived to see her. He sighed "He snapped out of it when I got him here like you said, but he tossed me out once he completely came out of it. What did that guy do?"
Mariko took a deep breath before replying. "Has Usagi had a great loss recently?"
"Yes."
"What is it?" she asked gently. Rhogen looked unconfortable, she pressed on, "I have to know or I can't help him. Please?"
"There was a samurai from the Mino clan named Tomaeh." he began.
Meanwhile Usagi was in his room trying to comprehend what had happened to him. The grief of losing Tomaeh was now fresh in his mind. How? He has pushed those feelings to the back of mind, he believed he was coping with her loss. Now it seemed that he was not even close. A soft knock broke his train of thought. "I do not want to be disturbed." he replied to the knock. Mariko entered anyway.
"Usagi?" she asked. No answer.
"I know what happened." she began, "It's a dirty trick, only Rogue Knights use it. They take a traumatic or painful memory and force a person to relive it over and over." She still wasn't getting a response. "Usagi I can't help you if you don't talk to me! The only defense against this tact is to be at peace about that memory or event, and judging from what just happened there is something. Now, do you prefer telling me? Or do you want me to dig it up on my own?"
He finally spoke, "Why do I feel that you already know?"
"Only bits," she replied, "Want to tell me the rest of the story?"
He sighed and they began to talk.
Several hours the two talked. Really talked, without yelling at each other. After Usagi had explained Tomaeh, Mariko was truly sad that she would never meet her. As she had hoped talking about her helped him, Rhogen had told her that he avoided even talking about her.
"That's your problem Usagi." Mariko began. "You were only remembering the pain of your relationship. Therefore every time Tomaeh was brought up, you only saw the pain. The trick is to remember the good, not the bad."
"Good advice. Now how do I do it?" he muttered.
She was blunt, "There is no quick solution. I won't lie, it will take time for you to completely deal with the pain." she paused before continuing, "You have admitted that you need to deal with it better, and that's a start." She absently rubbed her arm which was starting to ache.
"Is it bad?" he asked.
"I could have been a great deal worse. He can slip by me, I have been trying to get a 'fix' on him. I can't." Mariko shook her head. "I have no idea how to stop that Rogue from getting into this inn, let alone Kiyoshi's room."
"Then the only answer is to either get him somewhere else, or off this planet."
"How? The second he finds out that Kiyoshi is leaving, he'll sneak aboard the same way he snuck into this inn."
Usagi thought about it for a minute, then he broke into a grin. Rhogen had described Mariko's arwing to him earlier. It had an odd feature that none of the other ships on StarFox's team had. It was a two-seat ship.
"Simple." he stated, "When Lord Kiyoshi's ship leaves, he won't be on it."
Mariko thought about it, then grinned. "It's so simple. Unless that Rogue knows about arwings, it might just work.
Chapter 7-
A week later- Imperial System, White Star Castle
The plan the twins had hatched was simple. Early the next morning it appeared that the Shirohoshi's Ship was preparing to leave. As Mariko and Usagi had expected, there was know way they could take off without the whole port finding out. Several hours later, the ship took off. An hour later two figures entered a hanger and walked toward the lone arwing, after filling out the proper forms the small ship was moved to a launch pad. Less than ten minutes later it took off, and not one soul had figured out that the second person aboard that arwing was Lord Kiyoshi.
It worked.
The same plan was used to transport Kiyoshi from the diplomatic mission back to White Star Castle. Good thing too, once again several mechanical problems developed aboard the main ship forcing it to land at another remote port. When Mariko was docking at White Star Castle she was thinking at the look on that Rogue's face when he figured out what she and Usagi did.
A few days later the ship finally made it home. Mari had stuck with Kiyoshi, just in case. When Usagi came into the room, Mariko noted the shiner, she raised an eyebrow. "Wolf?" she asked. He shook his head, she got a bad feeling, "Fox?" she squeaked.
"Both." he answered.
"Oh no." she quickly turned to Kiyoshi, "If you'll excuse me Lord Kiyoshi, I think I have a call to make." He nodded, and she darted out of the room. Usagi was barely keeping a straight face.
"Dare I ask?" asked Kiyoshi, Usagi shook his head. Kiyoshi sighed, "I don't you think want to here this but I've contacted her betrothed. He still wants to go through with it."
Usagi shook his head, "Did you explain to him that she's not the same?"
Kiyoshi nodded, "He thinks I'm kidding. I invited him here to talk with both of you. I hope somebody can see reason."
"Anyone in particular?" asked Usagi.
Meanwhile Mariko had opened a channel with the Great Fox. It seemed that once again the rivals had clashed, and again Usagi and Rhogen had broken up the fight. Sort of. It seemed that both groups had ignored the call for order and Wolf had decked Usagi. Both he and Rhogen had decided to just knock them all out and sort it out later. Thank the Gods that Rhogen had bailed the team out after that brawl.
Over the video link Mari noted Fox's shiner. "Which one gave you that?"
"A samurai with a scar over his left eye." he snarled.
"Would you believe me if I told you he's my twin brother?" she couldn't stop grinning.
"At this point I'd believe anything you told me after that last adventure you had." he paused, "When are you coming back?"
"I wish I knew, that damn Rogue is still out there. Chances are he'll try again." she sighed, "Even if Lord Kiyoshi wasn't involved, I'd still go after him."
"That bad?" winced Fox.
"That bad." she answered.
"Be careful. I'd better be going, I still have to figure who hit me over the head, nobody is admitting it."
"Do you blame them?" she asked
Fox grinned, "I guess not. Great Fox out."
After she turned off the comm link she when to find her brother. They haven't discussed her mess of a betrothal yet and she had a feeling it was coming up fast. She was right. Usagi had informed her of the meeting, and against her better judgment agreed to at least talk to him.
The meeting with Lord Miyagi's son, Oshiro, did not go well to say the least. The first problem was Mariko's clothing. She, of course, was dressed as a Knight not a samurai lady. He stated that she should have been properly prepared to meet her future husband. Mariko shot back that she was properly dressed for a Knight, and stated that *if* he married her, what he saw was what he was going to get. It went downhill from there. Usagi tried to call for peace before either Oshiro or Mariko killed each other. Oshiro turned on him and stated that this would have not have happened if his father had kept a better eye on her. Both of the twins bristled at the slight against the now deceased Councilor Miyamoto. Kiyoshi called for a break before anybody could say anything else. He also stated that he would start again tomorrow.
Shortly after the meeting Usagi stalked to a different section of the Castle. "Where are you going?" asked Mariko.
"To one of the exercise areas to work off some anger." he snapped.
"Mind if I join you?" she answered. He nodded.
An hour later...
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Mariko asked.
"Why not?" replied Usagi, "In the past hour we have gone through almost every program as if it was nothing. We might as well try against each other, with wooden practice swords, of course."
Mariko smiled, "You asked why Knights don't wear armor, after seeing what my saber did to those automated drones you don't want to know what it'll do to you."
"Exactly." he answered, tossing her a practice sword.
After a solid hour of fencing both decided to call it a draw. Feeling better the two left the room looking like hell but grinning from ear to ear. Rhogen saw them walk away and shook his head.
A few hours later Mariko decided to take a walk through the Castle. White Star wasn't really a castle in the trues sense of the word, but a huge space station. Since Usagi had some duties to attend to she did so alone. After a while she found an observation deck whose view showed off the planet below. Calmed by the tranquil sight she walked further into the room. It was only after she was almost at the window did she notice that she was not alone. It was Oshiro.
She was about to turn and walk out when he called to her, "Why do you leave Lady Mariko?"
She took several deep breaths before answering, "First of all it is not necessary to address me as 'Lady' anything, and second I'm not the best company at this time." She continued to walk toward the door.
"But I insist." Just then the door shut and locked right in front of Mariko, by itself.
Mariko whirled and stared at Oshiro as if seeing him for the first time. "By the Gods...your a Knight as well!"
"Not just any Knight my dear," he paused and let the illusion he projected fade. Mariko's eyes got wider, "I told you we would meet again."
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Forgive me. I am Oshiro, your betrothed, but let's just say I found a different calling after I completed samurai training."
"Understatement." she hissed reaching for her weapon. She never got a chance to draw it, with a wave of Oshiro's hand she rammed into a wall and the world went black.
Chapter 8-
After knocking her out Oshiro, focused on Mariko for a moment.
"There," he murmured, "that should keep you out of my hair until my work is done." He then left the observation deck, locking the door behind him, leaving Mariko out cold on the floor.
Meanwhile Kiyoshi was discussing several things with his councilors and lords. After concluding business they all prepared to leave the room. Kiyoshi was the last to go out the door, but before he could do so the door slammed shut in front of him and locked tight.
Meanwhile on the observation deck Mariko was trying to wake up. It was not working, Oshiro had allowed her mind to wake up, but not her body. Great, she thought, My only hope is that somebody finds me and figures out that Rogue is in the castle.
Usagi had been summoned to Kiyoshi's wing by a frantic councilor. "He was on his way out the door with the rest of us when it suddenly slammed shut."
"Are you sure that he didn't shut the door?"
The councilor nodded, "There are sounds of a fight inside, I think it's another attempt on his life."
Usagi swore and muttered, "How did that Knight get into the Castle?!" Upon reaching the door Usagi clearly heard the sounds of a fight. Kiyoshi was still alive, but for how long if it was the Rogue Knight? Since the door was locked and the override code was not working Usagi drew his blaster and shot out the lock. The door opened easily after that, all the noise had also brought Rhogen to investigate too. Usagi took one look inside and roared to Rhogen, "Find Mariko! Now!"
The scene inside the room was not pretty. Kiyoshi as Usagi hoped was able to defend himself, but currently he was in no shape to get out of the room. What really shocked him was the Rogue himself, before his hood had always been drawn up, so nobody could see his face. Now the hood was down revealing who he really was.
"Well," he addressed, "You were just wondering how I gained entrance into White Star Usagi, now you know. I was invited."
"Oshiro?" gasped Usagi.
He smiled, "Ironic isn't it? Lord Kiyoshi invites his own killer into his greatest stronghold." He paused for a moment, "I wouldn't bother summoning your sister, I made sure that she wouldn't be able to stop me before I went after your lord."
Usagi roared and lunged at Oshiro. He sighed, "I thought you would have learned lesson last time." Once again he focused his attention on Usagi's mind and the painful memory he drew upon last time.
Once again Usagi felt the world shift around him and being taken back to Tomaeh's death. Felt himself slipping into the same pool of despair, just before he slipped completely, he remembered something Mariko told him about this trick. It only worked if he let it work.
This time he fought back, focusing on anything but Tomaeh's death. Once his head cleared slightly he saw the Oshiro had turned his back to him thinking him immobile. Fatal mistake. Usagi lunged at him with sword drawn, Oshiro heard him and turned to block the attack, he couldn't Usagi's sword took out his left eye.
Oshiro roared in pain.
On the observation deck Mariko felt the block on her mind weaken. She took advantage and broke through it, waking up groggy on the floor of the room. As she slowly got to her feet she heard somebody crash through the door.
"Mariko are you all right?" Rhogen gasped.
She nodded, "Where's Kiyoshi?"
"In his wing, I think that Knight is aboard the Castle.." he then blinked, Mariko was gone.
Usagi was in the fight of his life. So far he was able to keep Oshiro at bay, Mariko's advice ringing in his head, Remember Usagi, you can't allow yourself to be distracted when fighting a Knight. When I was injured it caused my focus to slip giving the Rogue an advantage, and he took it. Don't give him the advantage, or your as good as defeated or worse He took every word to heart, and it seemed to be working.
Oshiro was furious with himself for underestimating the samurai. Usagi's attack had cost him dearly, the hold he was keeping over Mariko had slipped, it was only a matter time before she arrived. His only hope was to complete his mission, and get away. Usagi still stood in his way, Oshiro was confident that he could defeat him but it was costing him precious time, time for Mariko to arrive.
In a desperate move he brought down his saber toward Usagi's face reopening the scar over he eye, the ploy worked. The flow of blood would blind Usagi for a few moments, giving him time to kill Lord Kiyoshi. He turned, Kiyoshi was gone!
"Looking for something?" asked a voice. Oshiro turned to find Mariko's saber pointed at him. Rhogen was behind him with a blaster pointed at his head, and Usagi was recovering.
Mariko has used Oshiro's complete focus on Usagi to her advantage, she had gotten the young lord out of the room and to the medical areas. "Surrender!" snapped Usagi, "you'll never get out of this room alive."
"Never!" came Oshiro's responce.
"Usagi's right." stated Mariko, "If you surrender, we can get you help..."
"I will never surrender, and if I must die," hissed Oshiro, "I'll take one of you with me!" A desperate swipe of his saber slashed across Mariko's mid-section. Still recovering from the mind-block earlier she was unable to block the blow completely. As she fell to the ground Usagi was already in motion activating the surge on his own blade, in one fluid motion he took Oshiro's head before the Rogue Knight could even register what happened.
Rhogen ran to Mariko's side, it didn't look good, she had already lost a great deal of blood. As other guards rushed in to help, Usagi was taken to a different area to have his wounds treated.
Silently he prayed that he didn't lose his sister so soon after he found her again.
Epilogue-
A week later-
Mariko pulled through, it looks worse than the injury actually was. Though the wound was large it wasn't very deep therefore internal injures were minimum. What almost killed her was the loss of blood, once the wound was closed and she was given a transfusion she recovered quickly.
Both Kiyoshi and Usagi recovered as well. Between the three of them they were able to piece the puzzle of Oshiro together.
"He must have been becoming a Rogue when the marriage was originally being planned." sighed Mariko.
"Why do you say that?" asked Usagi.
"All Knights have a radar of sorts to track and identify other Knights. We are all born with the power even if the person isn't a Knight, another Knight would see the potential in him or her."
Usagi nodded in understanding, "When the two of you met to arrange the marriage, he saw what you were before you even knew about it. Making him determined to marry you."
"Ironically it was as soon as I left home than Master Arion, my teacher, found me and I began to train." she shook her head, "I wonder if he knew about Oshiro and would have intervened, maybe I'll ask him if I see him again."
"That would make sense," stated Usagi, "Kiyoshi told me that Oshiro's father tried to dissolve the marriage contract a few months after you vanished. He died before the request could be completed, under mysterious conditions. Oshiro became head of his family's affairs and insisted that the contract be kept intact."
"How much do you want to bet that Oshiro removed his father and kept the contract intact so he could marry me as soon as I re-appeared." replied Mariko.
"I bet that's what happened, but we can't prove it with Oshiro dead." Usagi sighed "Now I'm grateful that you didn't marry him, if you did who knows what would have happened."
"Me too, for all we know you could have been defending Kiyoshi from the two of us." she shuttered. "I don't want to think about it."
The two and been walking toward the hanger where Mariko's arwing was being prepared for take off. "Are you sure you have to go back?" asked Usagi. He really didn't want to see her go now they had mended the rift between them.
She sighed "Yes, my team needs me as much as Lord Kiyoshi needs you." she reached into her belt and pulled out a disk, as she handed it to Usagi she explained. "This has the access frequencies to the Great Fox, as well as the locations of several relay beacons we use to pick up long-range communications. If you ever need to contact me that should let you get a message to me."
Usagi took the disk and raised an eyebrow, "I would give you the same information, but why do I think that you already know how to contact White Star?" She just grinned, he shook his head, "I'm not even going to ask."
By then they had reached the hanger, on impulse she gave him a hug. To her surprise he returned it. "Take care of yourself Brother, I don't want to save you for awhile."
He laughed, "The same goes for you Sister, and Good Luck!"
By then she was boarding her ship, she replied "I'm gonna need it, remember I still have to face Fox after conning his crew into knocking him out."
Usagi had a good laugh at that as his sister's ship blasted off and away from White Star Castle.
The End