"What the fuck happened?" Matt growled, glaring at James.
"My fan, he broke my fan," Alannah said.
"James fucking did what?" Matt roared as he saw the bits of Alannah's arms. Matt also spotted the blood dripping down her arms.
"Oi, what is the shouting about?" Bruce said, walking towards the kitchen.
"James broke Alannah's fan and hurt her!" Matt roared.
"Calmed down, Matt, pretty sure that James could not land a punch on Alannah, never mind," Bruce said
"Bruce!" Alannah said it in a tone that made Bruce instantly concerned. He looked over and saw the state of Alannah and rushed over.
"Matt, get the medical wing prepped," Bruce ordered.
"Can you fix it?" Alannah asked desperately.
Let's fix you up first, and we can have a look at it, OK? Bruce said, guiding her to the medical room.
"Come Alannah, sit on the bed whilst I sort this out," Matt said.
"What happened?" Bruce asked calmly.
Some prick called Akihiko sent Alannah some inappropriate gifts. Alannah went out to burn them, but Akihiko and his second in command, Hakaru, were there waiting, "James said.
"Harakiru? Did he have a sword and long black hair? " Bruce asked, and James nodded.
"Anyway, I insulted Akihiko, apparently, and Hakaru drew his sword. Alannah blocked the attack and called for an "honour fight," whatever that is! " James said.
In other words, she saved you from being murdered. You do realise that Hakaru is one of the best sword fighters in the world? You would have been killed in seconds! " Bruce said.
Akihiko is no joke either! Alannah is the only one that has beaten him in the ring. Right, love, you need stitches. " Alannah nodded, still staring into space, and Matt said, "
Well, Alannah kicked his arse, and Akihiko told her to let Hakaru go. She refused and... James said, not sure how to finish the sentence.
I should have done what Akihiko said. He broke my fan. Can you fix it? " Alannah asked again.
"Why is she so fixated on the fan?" James thought.
"You already know the answer to that, Alannah!" Tao said, practically as he walked in with Maya.
Tears rolled down Alannah's face. "No!" she said.
Come Alannah, let's have a sit-down and a cup of tea. I am sure we can figure something out! " Maya said gently.
What is there to figure out? I lost my Tussen! She was the only weapon I never lost! has been with me for 10 years and she has always, always kept me safe. I let her be destroyed! Warriors and fighters die before having their weapons destroyed! Now, what am I going to do? How am I going to fight him without my shrudo? " Alannah rambled.
"There is no disgrace to Alannah. You did not lose her in a fair fight! It may take a while, but you will bond with your new Tussen. We shall repair your old Tussen, but you know it will never be strong enough to fight with! " "Tao said honestly."
Tussen's cost thousands, and it won't be the same! Alannah mumbled. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Sorry to be an insensitive prick here, but can someone explain to me what Alannah is so upset about? James asked. It was like Alannah was grieving for an old friend.
Once bonded with the fighter, each weapon has a soul or spirit, and once bonded with the fighter, it will protect them. It does not always happen, but after years of practising, the same weapon is believed to know the fighter's weaknesses and protect them. They have their own character and behaviour, which can take years to learn. To have one's sacred weapon destroyed in a fair fight is seen as the ultimate victory. But fighters avoid this, as it is taboo, as many of us believe that a weapon of this kind is akin to a relative or spiritual guardian. Maya explained that Akihiko" has been dishonourable and astonishingly cruel,"
Alannah started to have a full-on breakdown as the shock subsided. She could not help it. She just sobbed and wailed like a crazed woman. To other people, Alannah's weapon might have been just a fan, but to her, it was her guardian that had protected her for the last 10 years. Her fan had saved her life more times than she cared to count, and Alannah had always felt safe with it in her hand. To be destroyed in such a dishonourable way was to kill her. Maya put her arms around Alannah and pulled her into her chest as a mother would.
"Ma.. aya..." Alannah sobbed.
"Shhh, I know. I understand. " Maya said gently as she signalled the rest of them to go.
Akihiko is going to take me or he is going to hurt the people I love. I can no longer protect anyone! " That was the last thing James heard Alannah say before shutting the door.
"That bloody bastard!" Bruce yelled angrily. Bruce was normally level-headed, so Matt was surprised to see this.
"Come, let us have some coffee," Matt said as he guided them towards the kitchen.
"What was in the box?" Tao asked.
"Underwear and silk stockings Oh and this! " James said, throwing the box at Tao. Tao opened it and saw the necklace and read the note as well. He then banged both fists down on the table and roared in anger. "Who the fuck does he think he is? How did I let this scum into our home? He is not getting one grubby little paw on Alannah! " Tao boomed.
James thought the table was going to break in two. Minutes later, the twins came running in, barely dressed. Ethan was hopping and trying to put a shoe on.
"Bloody Hell Tao! We thought there was an emergency. What happened? Did Matt burn your coffee? " Aiden said, sarcastically.
Stop fucking around; it's past time for you to grow up! Alannah has protected you so well, for so long, that you did not even notice she needed your help. Bruce snapped. The twins were open-mouthed and shocked.
"What... what's happened to Alannah?" Ethan said.
Akihiko! He broke her Tessen, giving her creepy sexual gifts, stalking her and threatening to kidnap her! " Bruce said, annoyed.
"What?" The twins said it in unison. They both balled their fists. looking prepared to fight
"I better wake Kurt; he will kill me as it is!" James said tactfully. The atmosphere was pretty intense, to say the least.
James knocked on Alannah's bedroom door. To be honest, he was surprised Kurt was not up already, as he knew Kurt suffered from terrible insomnia. He opened the door and gasped at the state of the room. It was obvious Alannah and Kurt had a good session last night.
"Erm Boss," James said, and there was no response, so he tried again a bit louder.
"What?! Alannah, 10 more mins. You have worn me out, Princess. I don't think I've come so far in my life! " Kurt said, in a very sleepy voice.
James sighed. He could have really done without hearing that.
"Boss, you need to wake up. "It is James," James said.
Kurt turned over and reached out his arm, expecting Alannah to be there. It suddenly processed what had been said and by whom.
Kurt opened his eyes and said, "Where is Alannah?"
Now, I don't want you to overreact here. James said gently.
"Which means I am going to So you have about 10 seconds to answer my question, James! " Kurt said, his eyes hard as stone as he sat up.
"Well, there is good news and bad news!" James said.
"Seven seconds!" Kurt warned.
The good news is that Alannah and I have made up! I understand how much she loves you and can confirm that she is not after your money or power. Congratulations mate, you have found a real keeper! " James said with a thumbs-up gesture.
"The bad news?" Kurt said, eyes narrowing.
"He did what to my daughter? I AM GOING TO WATER EVAN'S GARDEN WITH HIS BLOOD! Where is Frank? Frank!!! " Kurt and James heard Theo's voice boom. Obviously, someone had told Theo what had happened!
Alannah! " Kurt said, panicking as he jumped out of bed, naked.
"Calm down, she is as OK as can be expected!" James said.
"OK, as can be expected?" Kurt growled as he put on a T-shirt and trousers. He then went over and grabbed James by the throat and pinned him against the wall.
"Fucking tell me what happened or I swear to God, James!" Kurt said, through gritted teeth.
James knew those eyes. They were the eyes that made Kurt feared in the Syndicate world. It was the eyes that indicated that Kurt would think nothing of killing a person.
Alannah got a parcel from that Japanese prick. She got upset and went out to burn it. " James said quickly.
"What was in the parcel?" Kurt asked coldly.
"Kurt," James said, knowing how it would affect him.
"Tell me!" Kurt commanded.
Lace underwear and a jewelled necklace of a dragon. The note said how he likes to see her in underwear, but would prefer her to wear nothing but the necklace. Akihiko also said that he could not wait to have her in his bed and make her think only of him! " James said.
I will kill him. I will kill him very slowly and painfully. What else happened? " Kurt said in an emotionless voice.
Alannah went outside to burn it, but they were waiting for us. He's a Japanese guy, and he's his commanding officer's second in command. Alannah and the second in command got into a fight. She got hurt but kicked his arse. She is fine though, seriously... a few stitches in the shoulder! " James said.
"A few fucking stitches in her shoulder? Would you say that if it was Grace or Annie? Alannah is my Queen and should be protected! " Kurt roared.
"I... am... sorry... Boss!" James said. He had never seen Kurt like this, not even over Grace.
"What else happened?" Kurt asked.
"They did what?" They heard Frank shout.
"They broke her fan thing. Apparently, it is the worst thing you can do to one of them. Alannah is pretty devastated, Kurt! " James said, closing his eyes. He was expecting a punch, but he was released.
"Where is she?" Kurt asked.
"In the medical room!" James said, gasping.
"Good. Now get a car out front in 5 minutes to take us back to the hotel. Also, organise movers to come and pack all her stuff up to transport back to England. Alannah is not coming back here, and we will be back in England straight after the meeting. Understand? " Kurt ordered without looking at him.
"Yes, Boss!" James said and nodded.
Kurt jogged to the medical room and opened the door. He saw Maya gently taking the bits of the fan from Alannah's hands. Alannah was holding them so tightly that they were drawing blood.
"Come Alannah, it is time to let them go!" Maya said encouragingly.
"Kurt!" Alannah said.
"Princess!" Kurt said, hugging her.
"He..." Alannah started to explain.
"I know!" Kurt said gently.
I didn't want any of it. "I don't want to be his Empress," Alannah said.
"I know, darling! I know, "Kurt said softly.
I can't protect you anymore. He will hurt you, and I could not stand that. Leave here and forget about me. All that matters is that you are safe! " Alannah said firmly.
Kurt hated the fact that Akihiko had seemingly broken his beautiful vixen. Kurt put a finger under her chin and lifted it.
"Alannah, the first and most important job of a king is to look after his queen. Alannah, I am not a weak man; I am Fucking Kurt Blackwood! I will protect you! You are also an incredible fighter who is not confined to this one weapon. I know it is important to you, Alannah, but you can fight just as well with another weapon. You just have to have faith in yourself, as I do. " Kurt said firmly.
"You..you think I am a good fighter?" Alannah said.
"The best!" Kurt said, kissing her on the lips, and Kurt felt her relax in her arms.
"OK Maya, you can take them now!" Alannah said. Maya smiled and took the bits out of Alannah's hands.
"It was a dishonourable fight, Alannah. You did everything you could to protect your future husband's friend. There is no shame in that, "Maya said, cleaning Alannah's cuts.
"I am still going to kill Akihiko and his little friend too!" Alannah said firmly.
Kurt smiled. His little vixen was back!