Partners In Crime

Chapter 88: A Family At Arms

Aria stood with Ren in her arms, staring out at the many workers. Underneath the castle, that's where the citizens of Del spent many hours preparing for a fight.

"Ba," Ren points out at them.

"Yeah baby," Aria kisses his cheek "they're working hard right."

"Prince Ren looks energetic as always your highness," a woman carrying boxes says as she walks past them. "Where is prince Len?"

"He's napping with his father," Aria responds happily.

"Sir Lloyd has his work cut out for him, doesn't he?" the woman giggles.

"Indeed, he does, got him working all hours of the day." Aria says, "He needs his rest, best not to bother him with matters I can oversee."

Hanabusa and Shiki enter the hall, the woman continues on with her work as Aria turns to them.

"How goes the search?" Aria asks them.

"Uh, well, we found Vangelis." Hanabusa replies "He's under strict supervision of the Shintaro guards. His daughter Vania has taken over, and there's no way she's going to turn over to our side."

"She idolizes the Ninja," Shiki explains "we'll have to turn to another source of acquiring Venge stone."

"I'm the Empress of Del, it's not hard." Aria smiles as she looks at Ren who was holding onto her collar "Right baby?"

"Ma," Ren says.

"Yeah," Aria laughs as she kisses his head.

Hanabusa and Shiki smile before turning away, heading back to work.

"Motherhood suits her well, right?" Shiki questions.

"We've seen it before," Hanabusa sighs "Layla was the same way with Aria when she was a baby."

"Lloyd and Aria aren't the same as Layla and Svern," Shiki tells him "Have some more faith?"

"I have faith in Lloyd... that he'll end up doing the right thing." Hanabusa states as he opens the door. "I don't know about Aria."

"Hey-" Shiki grabs Hanabusa by the collar and presses him against the wall "we had one captain turn his back on us, don't you dare do the same! We are the white knights who protect the crown, we protect Aria."

"My first priority will always be her highness; I've been with her since I was young!" Hanabusa pushes him into the adjacent wall "Don't question my loyalty."

"We've all been with her since she was young, don't think you're special." Skiki replies "You think you're the only one who died that day Hanabusa? We all did, we all witnessed what happened, and we're all wanting revenge. All but you."

"Don't question my loyalty, Shiki." Hanabusa states as he walked up and got in Shiki's face. "Ever."

Shiki grabs him and slams him into the wall. Hanabusa growls before running at him and headbutting him into the other wall. The two begin fighting before Rima ran into the hall.

"What are you idiots doing?!" Rima shouts. "Stop!"

Lloyd came running in behind her, the two grabbed onto one of the boys and pulled them apart. Lloyd threw Hanabusa onto the floor on one side of the hall while Rima threw Shiki onto the other side of the floor.

"What the hell is wrong with you two?!" Lloyd shouts.

"What's going on?"

They all turn to see Aria standing in the doorframe, holding on Ren. Ren was hiding his head in his mother's chest while Aria rubbed his back.