The twins and Adam pushed the two forgers busy. This was exactly what Alannah wanted, as she had been training intensely with Matt and Bruce. They are the much stronger fighters in the Nine-Tails and were putting Alannah through her paces. Of course, Kurt had given her back her fighting fan, complete with a nauseating love note.
"Alannah, I hit you again! Concentrate! " Matt snapped as he attacked again. Alannah became focused and managed to block his attack.
"Good, keep that elbow closer to your body. Feet need to be slightly wider and stronger to support that core, " Bruce ordered.
"You guys are worse than Tao!" Alannah moaned as she jumped out of the way of Matt, who had tried a stealth attack.
"We need to be together. Love has made you soft and lax! Haraku is no joke and you need to be in top condition, " Bruce said.
"No carbs, gluten, or sugar for the next few days. You will also increase your water and protein intake, " Matt instructed.
"Yeah, yeah," Alannah agreed. She had been feeling bloated and slow.
"Green tea as well, Alannah," Bruce said.
"Grand! I am going to get a shower," Alannah said after she cooled down.
"We will have protein snacks ready for you," Matt said with a smile, and Alannah rolled her eyes.
In the shower, she put her forehead against the tiles and wept. For the plan to work, she knew that she would have to betray the one she loved. Why couldn't Akihiko just leave them alone? Hadn't she earned a little bit of happiness in her life?
Alannah got washed and dressed. When she came back into the main living space, Hakaru was there waiting, with Matt and Bruce glaring at him.
"Evening," Alannah said with a sigh.
"Good Evening Empress, I hope you are well. I have a message from the Emperor, " Hakaru said with a bow. There was another knock at the door, and James came in.
"Can you guys organise a timetable or something?" Bruce snapped.
"Well, you two don't have to be here, you know." James retorted.
"Yes, we do to protect her from you two," Matt said.
"Guys, you can have a pissing contest some other time? Now, what is it you want? " Alannah asked.
"The Emperor wants you to know that he misses you and can't stop thinking about when the two of you will be reunited. Have you considered his generous offer? " Hakaru asked.
"Kurt also sends his love... he says that he would rather die with honour than watch you wed to that man," James said.
Hakaru pointed out, "It does not concern Chairman Blackwood, but the Emperor and Empress."
"I am still thinking about it," Alannah admitted.
"Very good Empress, a couple more things," Hakaru said, as he pulled out a small black box and held it out. Bruce took it from him and handed it to Alannah. She opened it and it was a hairpin with a red fox that was made of red rubies and diamonds.
"It is lovely, thank you," Alannah said with a fake smile. It was not her style at all and she would get rid of it as soon as possible. Probably out the window.
"The red dragons believe that an Empress should have jewellery as part of her station," Hakaru said. It was an obvious dig at Kurt's simple engagement ring.
"Well, as lovely as it is, I think the sentiment and meaning behind jewellery are the most important things. The most treasured things are often the things that cannot be brought, like love, for example. Don't you agree? " Alannah said sweetly. She turned and put the box on a nearby sideboard. She picked up her fan and opened it, fanning herself with it as she turned back around.
James smirked as Hakaru moved on.
"You are as wise as ever, Empress. Now the final thing is that it has come to my attention that some of the Nine-Tails are training Chairman Blackwood and Mr Light, " Hakaru said.
"And?" Alannah said.
"We believe that this is an unfair advantage," Hakaru replied.
Alannah tapped her nose with the fan, something she did whilst she was thinking. "What do you think I should do? "I am not the Nine-Tails leader or Keeper," Alannah said carefully.
"Everyone knows you control the twins and...., "Hakaru started to reply but Alannah snapped her fan shut in annoyance.
"I do not control anyone in the Nine-Tails. They are my family, and we do things for each other out of love. The Twins are their own people. I have not asked them to train those two. The fact is, they like Probie! So cut the shit and tell 'em what you want! " Alannah snapped.
"I want you to train me; it is only fair!" Hakaru snapped back.
Alannah was taken back for a moment. It was a very bold move on their part. It would make Kurt insane with jealousy, whilst fine-honing their skills.
"Just you?" Alannah asked, and Hakaru nodded. "Fine, I don't want any accusations of favouritism. Meet me in the training area at seven tomorrow, but.. " Alannah said.
Hakaru said with a smirk, "He won't be there and your guards are more than welcome."
"Good, you may take your leave," Alannah said.
"Good evening, Empress," Hakaru said, with a delighted look as he turned and went out.
"What the fuck, Alannah? Kurt is screwed up as it is. He does not need this! Do you love him at all? Or would it be easier for you if Kurt was killed in this challenge? " James roared angrily.
As soon as the words were out of James' mouth, Alannah attacked and high kicked him in the face. He collapsed to the floor, and Alannah straddled him, the sharp tip of her fan against his neck. His nose was pouring with blood.
"Don't you fucking ever dare question my love for Kurt again! I would die for him, understand?" Alannah said, and James stared into her eyes. They had the same cold look Kurt had when he was furious. "I said, do you understand?" Alannah said as she dug her fan tip into his neck, causing a cut to form and bleed.
"Yes! Yes, I understand! " James mumbled.
"Good!" Alannah said.
"Let him go, Alannah, you don't want to give the game away," Bruce said in Mandarin. Alannah grumped and released James.
Matt helped him up and said, "You were lucky. Don't question her love for Kurt again if you want to live."
"I... I am sorry Alannah," James said, trying to stop the bleeding.
"Leave me!" Alannah snapped, turning away from him.
"Yes," James said, nodding and exiting the room. As soon as he was gone, Alannah let her rage out, which she had been holding in. She roared and flung a chair across the room before punching the wall repeatedly. She kept going until blood splattered against the wall.
"Alannah, stop it now! You need to get a grip! " Bruce shouted as he grabbed her. Alannah collapsed into Bruce and started sobbing. "Shh, Alannah, it's all right," Bruce said softly.
"I am so tired, Bruce, so very tired," Alannah sobbed.
"I know, I know. We are almost there. You have come up with a plan, and we just need to stick to it. A few days, Alannah, just a few more days, " Bruce said, looking worried at Matt. It is clear that the situation was getting to Alannah. James was the last straw was Bruce realised that Alannah needed Kurt as much as he needed her.
James went back to his room, wanting to clean himself up before he saw Kurt. He was still shaken by Alannah turning nasty. He had seen her fight before, but she always seemed light-hearted and in control. This Alannah was dark and murderous.
He switched on the light and jumped when he saw Kurt sitting in a chair with a whiskey glass looking at him.
"Fucking hell, Kurt! You scared the shit out of me! " James said.
"Oh, I do apologise to James," Kurt said sarcastically.
"OK, what is it? Bearing in mind that I have already had my arse handed to me," James said with a sigh.
"I had an interesting conversation with Theo. Apparently, my future queen and wife are training my opponent. Can you please shed light on that and also who did that to you? " Kurt said in a dangerously cold voice.
"Well, your sweetheart did this to me!" James replied.
"Alannah? Well, you probably deserved it, " Kurt said with a shrug.
"You are taking her side over me?" James said, exasperated.
"Every time! Just like you would with Annie, " Kurt pointed out.
"Well anyway, she was scary... like she would kill me within a second and maybe enjoy it," James said.
"So, you've seen the fighter side, have you? Alannah has been a trained killer since she was 14. If you push her buttons, she will react. What did you say? " Kurt said.
"I suggested that she didn't love you and how would it be easier for her if you died in the match? I know it sounds bad, I am sorry, Kurt. " James said, bowing his head.
"So, I am her weakness like she is mine," Kurt said with a weak smile.
"Yes, which is why Akihiko is using it to force her hand," James said.
"But why train my opponent?" Kurt said, frowning.
I don't know, there must be a reason. Any ideas? You are known as the Chairman of strategy," James said.
"Yes I am, but Alannah surpasses me on that score. We won't know my little fox's plan until she wants us to, "Kurt said with a sad smile. "What are you planning, Princess?" Kurt thought.
"We will just have to wait and see," James said, and Kurt agreed.
The next two days went by uneventfully. Everyone involved in the challenge was training hard. Alannah used the time wisely to figure out her opponent's strengths and weaknesses, whilst keeping her secret. John had given her what she asked for, and she was prepared to do what was required. She would do anything to protect Kurt, even from himself.
Alannah waited up till the night before the challenge. At exactly midnight, she left her room and went straight to Kurt's. She knocked on the door, and it was opened by a surprised Kurt.
"Alannah, you can't be here!" Kurt said surprised.
"My father said I could not see you until the day of the challenge."It is past midnight, so technically no rules have been broken! Now kiss me! " Alannah said as she pushed Kurt back and locked the door. Alannah unashamedly pounced on Kurt and ripped off his clothes whilst kissing him.
"I miss you so much, darling," Kurt said in a husky voice as he quickly undressed her and pushed her onto the bed.
"Less talk, more action," Alannah ordered as Kurt laid on top of her.
"Yes, my Queen," Kurt said as he pressed his lips to Alannah's as he entered her. Their lovemaking was hot, passionate, and full of need. When they both climaxed, they didn't say anything and just stayed in each other's arms.
"Alannah? " Kurt said softly,
"No," Alannah replied instantly.
"Sweetheart," Kurt said, pleading, pulling her to his chest.
"There is nothing to tell," Alannah said stubbornly, and Kurt stroked her hair. He knew it was unless she was tighter than a clam with her thoughts.
"I'll be alright," he said with a sigh.
"I know," Alannah said confidently as she kissed his cheek. "Now you need to get some sleep."
"You are not serious?" Kurt was shocked.
"I am," Alannah said.
"Hmmm, maybe one more time? I want to get fully reacquainted with you, "Kurt said, as he kissed her neck and started to play with her clit with his fingers.
"I suppose one more time won't hurt," Alannah said, and Kurt smirked before kissing her lips.