Bonds

Part 1 (Captive)

"Lord Takumi! Wake up!" Hinata's voice pierced through his nightmare.

The Prince pushed his retainers hand away from his shoulder, sat up and coughed when he gasped in. Hinata pulled at his arms while he rubbed his eyes trying to wake up. "What is it?" He croaked annoyed.

"Fire! We've got to go!" His retainer insisted.

"What?!" For the first time he smelled the smoke in the air that he'd choked on, felt the heat on his face, heard the cracking ringing through the castle and saw the orange glow lighting the night. So far it had only touched the corner of his ceiling.

Hinata hurried him out to the hallway. The flare was more intense there, the flames lapping up the walls. "C'mon." The retainer lead the way down the hall and as they were about to enter the main hall the ceiling above them creaked loudly.

Takumi snatched the neck of his bodyguard's kimono and pulled him backward. He fell to the ground as a large piece of debris collapsed onto the floor where he'd been. The boys shielded their faces from the cinder spray that followed.

Once the air had cleared, Takumi's head seemed to clear with it. "What about Hinoka? Her retainers are incompetent." He turned to go back.

"But she isn't. She's probably outside." Hinata begged poignantly. He needed to get his charge to safety.

"But Sakura--"

"Is well taken care of." Hinata insisted, another nearby crash causing them both to flinch. "Hurry!" He again grabbed Takumi and pulled him toward the exit.

Outside the cracking of flames mixed with the crashing of blades and yelling. Nohrian soldiers swarmed the castle grounds and the unprepared Hoshidans fell quickly without their armor and weapons to protect them.

A couple of enemy soldiers noticed the new arrivals and charged. Hinata sidestepped and grabbed the arm of the first one, swinging him roughly to the palace steps where Takumi disarmed him and stole his sword. The second was able to nick Hinata's arm before Takumi thrust his own weapon into his opponent's stomach.

"Here." Takumi handed him the other blade.

"Sorry." He said abashedly. "Thank you, Sir."

"Let's find my family." Takumi shouted running farther from the smoking building.

Hinoka's vibrant red hair was easy to spot at the bottom of the steps.

"Oh, hello." Setsuna said casually on their approach, firing an arrow with equal enthusiasm, while Hinoka fought vigorously with her Naginata.

"A little more effort towards a continuing existence would be appreciated." Azama criticized.

"Where's Ryoma?" Takumi demanded jumping to their aid.

"He's holding the armory." His sister grunted, cutting another enemy down. "He asked me to hold them off here but I'm not used to combat without my pegasus and we're cut off from the stables. Plus if we don't find a way to stop it soon the fire will destroy the castle!"

Takumi gritted his teeth while blocking a blow. "Hinata you find a way to put this fire out. I'll go to the stables."

"But--" He began.

"No more insubordination!" Takumi ordered shoving his attacker back. "What about Sakura?"

Hinoka barely blocked a particularly savage swing that hit her weapon harshly against the steps. She switched her grip and jabbed at her attacker with the blunt end. "Hrg! I haven't seen her."

Finishing his opponent Takumi turned to Hinata. "Go get help for this fire, and keep an eye out for my sister or her retainers,"

"Yes sir." Hinata nodded grudgingly then took off.