Kurt growled and instantly pulled Alannah behind him protectively. "What are you doing here?" Kurt snapped.
"Oh, I was missing my little Fox, of course. She left so rudely I didn't get a chance to say goodbye," Akihiko said smoothly.
"You are not going to lay one finger on her. In fact, why has Anastasia not thrown you in her dungeon? " Kurt asked.
"Because unfortunately, the arsehole is here legally under gang law," Anastasia snapped. She was as frustrated with the situation as Kurt was.
"Is that the way to speak to your future son-in-law?" Akihiko said
"Alannah will never marry you," Anastasia said in a dangerous tone.
"We shall see. There is even something you cannot stop Anastasia. But now, I believe protocol needs to be followed, "Akihiko said.
"I am sorry Alannah, I have no choice! Take her and put her in the West Tower for holding. She must not have access to Akihito and Kurt till the day of the fight, "Anastasia ordered. Two black bears came forward and made their way towards Alannah.
"What? No, I am not going! " Alannah shouted.
"What is happening?" Kurt roared.
Alannah moved back and got into her fighting stance. She took the two bears out with ease, and they lay on the floor unconscious. "I am going to kill you, Akihiko!" Alannah said as she prepared to attack. Just before she got there, she was caught by Matt and Bruce. They slammed her to the floor and pinned her down. "What are you doing?" Alannah screamed in Mandarin.
"Get off her!" Kurt roared and moved forward, but Theo stopped him.
"Don't! They are not hurting her, you know them, " Theo said.
"Alannah, calm down or you are going to get Kurt killed! You need to go to the West Tower! " Bruce said in Mandarin
"I am not leaving Kurt and my family to that mad man!" Alannah shouted in Mandarin.
Bruce put his forehead on Alannah's and said, "Sister, please trust me!" Alannah instantly stopped. Bruce had only done this once before on the island. It was the ultimate sign of trust and family love that was between them. Alannah knew that Bruce would never use this signal unless it was important. Alannah nodded. This made Matt and Bruce release her.
"Bruce and Matt, please escort her to the west tower. I understand that Theo has already organised a guarding rota, " Demitri said, and Theo nodded.
"Whatever you are planning, Akihiko, if you hurt Kurt, I will end the bloodline of the Fire Dragons," Alannah hissed in Mandarin.
Akihiko laughed and said in English, "Oh my little fox, you are wrong. You are going to be very much part of my bloodline! "
Bruce and Matt quickly walked Alannah out of the room. When she passed James, she murmured, "Remember your promise to me, James." And James nodded.
Once Alannah was out of the hall, the doors shut and there was a moment of silence. "I must protest about Theo being the one doing the guard rota. Hakaru should have been involved!" Akihiko complained.
"Now you listen here you festering piece of dog shit, do not push your fucking luck! You have tried to kidnap my granddaughter and brand her. The only reason your cock has not been fed to the bears is that I am upholding the law! However, if you even breathe wrong, I will personally make you eat ground glass until you die from internal bleeding. Oh, and before you start about being a chairman when it comes to my granddaughter, I don't give a flying shit. Russia is a superpower in its own right, but you also know we have Europe, Australia, South America, North America and China's support in this matter. So don't you test me, Akihiko, understand? " Anastasia yelled, and Akihiko bowed his head in respect.
"Now Kurt, I am sorry to inform you that this bag of rotting flesh has been to the council and has been granted permission to challenge you for the hand of Alannah. He says it is about "gang honour" and some bullshit about you stealing her away... but we all know what it is really about." Demitri said.
"I don't think you are quite representing my interests fairly," Akihiko said
"Do you dare question my Tsar's obedience to gang law in this very hall?" Anastasia snapped.
"Which part did I say was untrue? Was it that you are a rotting bag of flesh? I apologise, what I meant to say is that you are a festering scab on a wart of a rat's behind and if you ever, EVER, touch my Granddaughter again, you will see why my wife is known as the gentler one out of both of us!" Demitri said in a cold voice. Somehow this was more chilling than Anastasia's shouting.
"The challenge will be in three days from now and combat has been chosen. An independent council official is coming to officiate the match. As chairman, you can select an advocate from your gang to fight in your place. However, your seconder can be from any gang. Your weapon of choice can be anything apart from firearms. Strictly no blade dipping is allowed and the results are final. " Anastasia explained.
"Last but not least, neither of you are allowed to see my daughter until the day of the fight. This is to stop any kidnap or murder attempts, " Theo said, glaring at Akihiko.
"What if my little fox wants to see me?" Akihiko asked.
Frank retorted, "Pretty sure that is not the case going by what we just saw."
"If I win, will it mean Akihiko will have to leave us alone forever?" Kurt asked.
"Yes, otherwise his whole gang would be executed and I would personally put his head on a spike!" Anastasia answered smiling at the thought.
"Well then, I am completely up for it!" Kurt said with a smirk.
Meanwhile, Alannah was beside herself in a room at the top of the West Tower. It was a large circular room that was modern and en-suite. Alannah thought it would be wonderful if she did not know that Akihiko was within killing distance. "I could have had him and you stopped me!" Alannah spat furiously.
"Akihiko is protected by gang law; breaking it would have meant not only your death but also the forger's gang," Bruce yelled.
"What does he want?" Alannah demanded.
"To challenge Kurt over you, of course," Matt said.
"Fighting? Official match rules? " Alannah said, and the men nodded. "Kurt does not have a chance! I struggled to beat Akihiko as it is, and I have much more weapons experience. Kurt is a boxer," Alannah said, panicked. There was a knock at the door, and James walked in.
"Hello Alannah," James said.
"Where is Kurt?" Alannah said, getting up.
"I am afraid you can't see him on the day of the challenge," James said sadly.
"Has he accepted the challenge against Akihiko? Is he out of his tiny mind? " Alannah shouted.
"He could not back out; his pride and honour as a chairman were on the line," James said simply.
"Pride and honour? Kurt is going to be killed and you are talking about pride and honour? " Alannah snapped as there was another knock at the door. Hakaru came in and instantly Matt and Bruce stood up.
"I come in peace," Hakaru said, holding his hands up in a sign of surrender.
"It is not Alannah we are worried about, it is you!" Bruce said, as Alannah was glaring at Hakaru like he was some sort of prey. Bruce knew that look and knew Alannah would think nothing of snapping Hakaru's neck if she thought it would protect the people she loved.
"I see. Well, it is nice to see you again, Empress. If I come with a message, Akihiko will pull out of the match, "Hakaru said.
"Oh, let me guess. If I agree to marry him!" Alannah scoffed.
"Exactly! You know, Kurt is not on the same level as me when it comes to sword fighting, " Hakaru said.
"You?" Alannah asked her face going pale.
"Yes, it is my honour to act as my boss's advocate," Hakaru confirmed.
"Advocate," Alannah repeated, "I forgot about that rule."
"If you agree to marry Akihiko here, he will pull out, saving Kurt's life," Hakaru said.
"No! Kurt would never allow it, Alannah, don't even consider it! " James exclaimed.
"Kurt will have no bearing on this decision; it is the future Empresses alone," Hakaru said.
"I will consider his kind offer," Alannah said.
Hakaru smiled and said, "You are most wise, Alannah. That is why you will make an excellent Empress."
"Thank you for the compliment. You are dismissed," Alannah said, and Hakaru left.
"Please tell me you are not considering it!" James snapped.
"Be careful how you address me, James. I am a Nine Tails and a founding descendant," Alannah said, sitting back down. James was shocked; he had never heard of Alannah pulling rank before.
"Apologies Alannah, I was caught in the heat of the moment," James said.
"You are forgiven this time, but in return for my forgiveness, you need to call Doctor John Tanaka. You will also to be returned the message to Kurt that I love him, but he has something of mine that I want returned. " Alannah said, in an emotionless voice,
"Is that all? Why do you need a doctor? " James asked.
"Women's problems, my period is very heavy this month and I need a doctor's advice," Alannah said, making James blush.
"I will get the doctor now," James muttered.
"Before you go, give Kurt this," Alannah said, as she went over to her suitcase and got a worn T-shirt out.
"Right?" James said
"Kurt has trouble sleeping without me, and this T-shirt with my scent will help," Alannah explained.
"I don't know whether that is romantic or dwell-rested James said as he caught the T-shirt.
"Does it matter? He needs to be well rested and it is worth a shot." Alannah explained. James nodded and walked out.
"OK, give," Matt said.
I don't know what you are talking about! Alannah said
"Alannah, we are not James. We know you and we know when you are plotting! " Bruce said.
"You got to promise not to stop me," Alannah said seriously.
"Alannah..." Bruce said
"Promise on the Nine Tail Fox or I am not telling you," Alannah said. The Nine-Tails fox was their family symbol and represented everything precious to them.
"Fine, we both promise!" Bruce said, and Matt nodded.
"We know Kurt has some fighting skills, but he is nowhere near in the same league as Hakaru," Alannah said.
"That is correct. But there is not much we can do about it, " Matt said. There was no way they could fit in years' worth of training in three days.
"That is where you are wrong. I can be Kurt's advocate." Alannah said with a smile.
"You can't, you are not a forger!" Matt pointed out,
"Technically she is. She is engaged to Kurt, which means she comes under his protection even if they are not married," Bruce said, rubbing his chin. Alannah was a cunning vixen!
"Exactly, that is why in gang law it always states significant other, not husband or wife," Alannah said.
"But Kurt and James will never allow it!" Matt said
"Well... no... but I'm sure our doctor friend can help," Alannah said as another knock came on the door.
"Ahh John, just the person I wanted to see," Alannah said with a smile.
==================================================================
"Well, how is she?" Kurt demanded when James came back.
"Weird," James said honestly.
"Strange?" Kurt asked.
"Well, first of all, she asked me to give you this T-shirt. Apparently, it will help you sleep." James said, handing Alannah's T-shirt.
"And?" Kurt asked as he carefully folded the T-shirt and put it under his pillow. "Damn, I am going to miss her tonight!" he thought.
"Pass on her love and say she wants the thing you have of her back, whatever that means," James shrugged.
"She wants her fan back, probably to practice. She is going to go out of her mind up there. What else? " Kurt said.
"Nothing really," James said with a shrug.
"Stop lying to me, James," Kurt growled.
James sighed and said, "She wanted a doctor for women's issues and Hakaru turned up. An offer was also put on the table: if Alannah marries him within the next three days, Akihiko will leave."
Kurt laughed and said, "I would love to hear her tell him to fuck off!" But James said nothing. "Please tell me she refused his offer," Kurt shouted.
"She said she would consider it to save your life," James said in a quiet voice.
"No, I will not allow it under any circumstances! Go and tell her that now! " Kurt roared.
"I've already said that, Kurt!" James said, exasperated.
Just then, there was a knock on the door and the Twins with Adam walked in. "What do you want?" James said with a sigh. He was getting a headache already.
"We are here by order of the Grand Princess of Russia, the direct founding descendants of both the Lion and the Bear gang," Ethan said with a smirk.
"So Alannah sent you? Why? " Kurt asked.
"Why to train you, of course, probie!" Aiden said.
"Who better than the nine tails to get you ready?" Ethan said
"Oh, this is going to be so much fun!" For once, Adam said. For once he had a smile on his face.