It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

The Queen's Reign

"What is she doing?" Reiji murmured as he stared at his wife in the silver handmirror he refused to depart with. She'd dressed herself in his armour and was currently riffling through his swords to pick one she could carry. "Athena, don't be foolish! Don't be foolish! Don't-"

"Hello Reiji." 

The dark-haired man looked up in horror to see his Father leaning against the pillar of his bed, his arrogant smirk on his face. "I must admit, your wife is a clever yet stupid woman." He walked slowly around the room, his hands behind his back as Reiji watched him closely. "There is a way for you to return to her," he said, "one which Christa and Kanato have paved for you."

"What do you mean?"

"Follow my instructions and you'll know."

-_-_-_-

An uneasy feeling embraced Athena as she stalked through the corridors, searching desperately for the arrogant man who claimed himself as King. After a long while, she decided to make herself known in the throne room.

She stood atop her husband's - no - her throne and she took a deep breath.

"A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD ME THAT YOU COULDN'T CLAIM THE THRONE!" She yelled, her voice echoing through the walls of the castle.

It didn't take long for Shu Sakamaki to show.

"Long time no see," she spat, leaping from the chair as she pointed her long sword at him.

"Your arm is shaking, do you really expect to beat me like this?" He snorted, eyeing her up and down. The queen merely shrugged.

"You want the throne, don't you?"

"More than anything," he purred.

"Then come and get it."

-_-_-_-

"A vial…?" Reiji murmured as he followed his father through the palace's courtyard, "Why are we looking for that?"

"It holds the revival potion within," said Karlheinz, "Kanato and Christa spent months making it - don't let it go to waste."

"How can I trust you?"

"He's telling the truth," sounded Beatrix as she descended the stairs, ignoring her husband, "Athena has confronted Shu, we must hurry."

-_-_-_-

Athena screamed as she swung her sword up, clumsily blocking Shu's attack. The man laughed loudly with every lousy lunge, mocking the girl for her lack of skills. He was merely tiring her out.

She panted as she lunged forward herself, attempting to at least scratch the man before hed. She failed.

It was a very one-sided fight which had gained the attention of the Mukami brothers and Kino. She yelled as she ran forward, slashing the sword with as much might as she could muster… only to miss her target.

"Foolish girl," said Shu as the tip of his sword dug into the back of her neck, "I knew you were bad but this is just embarrassing."

She ignored him as she attacked and attacked and attacked, desperate to avenge her husband, to save her family.

With one flick of his wrist, the woman was semt crashing into a thick pillar, causing her to land on her back with a cry of pain.

-_-_-_-

"Where would it be hidden?" Beatrix frowned as she looked out around the spacious courtyard.

"Probably the centre," Reiji said, "which would be-"