Reborn: The New Empress 16 Ch. 15 - The Killer Is Revealed

As I was making the tea, I was startled when I saw another servant in the kitchen. She seemed to be avoiding me.

"Hey, you there." I called out to her. She turned around and bowed to me.

"You don't need to bow. It's just us here. What were you doing?" She stood up straight but she lowered her head. I couldn't see her face properly.

"I was getting tea for my lady."

"Here, I made some extra. You could bring this to your lady." I handed her a teacup. When she accepted it, our eyes met. Those eyes… They look familiar… Where have I seen them before?

"Thank you Empress." She turned around and walked away. That was weird. I grabbed the teacup and went back to Sora's study.

It's been a few days of me following Sora around. He had to meet the Daimyo of another town and I had to come along. He even ordered for me to sleep in his room. Although that I don't mind.

"Sora, do you want to take a bath before you go to bed?" He just entered the room. He sighed and nodded. I prepared the bath for him. He took off all his clothes and stepped in.

"You look troubled. Are you okay?" I knelt down beside him and rested my hands by the rim of the bath.

"It's nothing you should worry about. What about you? Are you okay?" I was surprised that he asked me how I was. I gave him a smile.

"I'm fine." He smiled at me. I stood up and grabbed his robe. He got out and dried himself before he wore the robe. I held his hand and pulled him to the bed.

"I'm so tired. Let's sleep." I said. He nodded. He lay beside me. We said our goodnights and fell asleep. Except I wasn't asleep. I waited until Sora was in deep sleep before I tried to get out of bed. After a while, I was sure that he was fast asleep. I slid out of the bed and proceeded to get out through the window. I managed to slip out. I should go to the kitchen. I've noticed that Tori spends a lot of time in the kitchen.

When I arrived at the kitchen, I heard footsteps. I quickly hid myself inside one of the cabinets. I could hear two people talking.

"Have you received anything from my father?" It's Tori. She seems impatient today.

"Yes, I have my lady. He said he's waiting for your orders." This voice… it can't be….

"Tch, that b.i.t.c.h is sleeping with the Emperor right now. She's even staying in the Emperor's room. Why won't she just die?" She's talking about me.

"What should we do my lady? All our efforts have been in vain."

"I don't know what she did to survive that fall. Are you sure she drank the tea that day?" Tea? What tea?

"Yes my lady. I'm pretty sure. She drank the whole cup. I even saw her hit her head when I pushed her off the edge." Oh my G.o.d. It's them. It was her servant that pushed me. She even poisoned me to make sure that I wouldn't survive. And to think she was the mastermind to all of this. Even Yukina didn't expect it to be her since she was the closest to her. What do I do now?

"Next week, the Emperor will travel to the Northern Border to see for himself, if that b.i.t.c.h's father is really a traitor. I want you to send a letter to my father, to capture the Emperor on his way to the Northern Border." She'd really go that far? She's a psycho.

"What about the Empress?"

"I'll kill her. And when she's dead, I'll be the Empress."

"Let's go, we've spent too long here. The other servants might wake up and see us here. The Empress doesn't suspect me one bit and I'd like to keep it that way." That's what you think. I heard them leave the kitchen. I waited a few minutes before I left too. I slipped through the window. Sora didn't wake up. He must be really tired. I snuggled close to him and he put his arms around me. How do I warn Sora?

The next day, I felt tired. I hadn't gotten any sleep but as orders dictate, I have to report to Sora's study after breakfast. I'm slowly gaining his trust and I can't forsake it now. I knocked on the door and he let me in.

"You look tired. You didn't sleep well last night?" He wrapped his arms around my waist. I shook my head.

"The nightmares kept me awake all night last night. I'm just glad I didn't wake you. You were pretty tired yesterday." I looked into his eyes and smiled. He kissed my forehead before letting me go. He sat back down on his desk and I sat in one of the chairs.

"Next week, I'll be going to the Northern Border." Oh no, Tori's plan…

"Then I'll come with you." If I can't tell him, I'm just going to have to protect him. But to my surprise, he shook his head.

"No, you'll stay here and manage my work while I'm gone." What? No, I can't protect you.

"But I thought you need to keep your eyes on me?"

"Akiko will be here watching you for me while I'm gone. Don't worry, this visit to the border will finally tell if your father is innocent or not." I'm not worried about my father, I'm worried about you.

"But, I want to come with you. What if something happens to you? I won't be able to sleep at night." He smiled at me.

"I'll be heavily protected. My guards will be there. I'll be back before you know it." He held my hand. I hugged him.

"But I don't want you to go. I have a bad feeling about you leaving." He cupped my face.

"You don't have to worry. I'll be okay." I hope so…

We went by the Palace entrance to see Sora off.

"Goodbye papa. Be back soon." Sora smiled at Yukio.

"Please be careful." He looked at me and nodded. Shortly after, they left. We went back inside the palace. Suddenly, a shriek could be heard inside the palace. I asked Aino to take Yukio somewhere safe. I have a bad feeling about this. I rushed to where I heard the shriek came from. It was from Lady Hiwa's room. Inside, Lady Aiyo was on the floor, covering her eyes. I looked over at the bed and what I saw was an unpleasant sight.

"Empress Yukina, i-is she… i-is s-she d-dead?" I comforted Aiyo. Hiwa was stabbed in the chest while she slept.

"What happened, Aiyo?"

"Hiwa wasn't at the dining hall this morning and I got worried. I went here to check on her but when I opened the door, I found her like that." This has become a nightmare.

"Aiyo, listen to me. You and Ima have to get out of here right now. I'll take care of the Emperor. I fear your lives are in danger if you stay here." She nodded and went to her room. I informed one of the servants to prepare a proper burial for Hiwa. I also wrote a letter to Hiwa's family to inform them of this tragedy.

I couldn't sit still. Sora must be in danger. I have to save him.

I immediately went to the stable and grabbed a horse. I took a bow and some arrows with me as well as a sword. I found a kunai and I thought it'd be useful so I brought it along. As I was preparing myself, Akiko stopped me.

"Empress, I can't allow you to that."

"Akiko, the Emperor is in danger. I have to save him." Akiko didn't say another word. He stepped aside. I rode the horse as fast as I could. Please let me make it in time.

I arrived at Tasuke Pa.s.s and I saw all of Sora's guards, dead, along with some of the enemy. Sora was being taken away by the group who ambushed them. They're wearing my family's symbol. This is a set up. I shot an arrow at one of the men. They all looked at me. Sora was tied up, his face was bruised and b.l.o.o.d.y but he seems to be doing okay.

"Let him go." I shot another arrow and killed another person.

"Who are you?" The big brute asked.

"I am Senju Yukina. How dare you tarnish my family's name?" I shot another arrow. One of the guys, who was holding the rope that was tied to Sora, was wearing a helmet. He must be the leader.

"Kill her." A group of 3 came towards me but I shot all of them with 3 arrows consecutively. Each one aimed at the head. I pointed the arrow at the leader and fired. It hit his shoulder.

"You b.i.t.c.h, you'll pay for this." Only the leader and the big brute was left. Sora's guards must've decreased their numbers significantly. I ran out of arrows so I had to resort to using the sword.

"You'll die here." The big brute claimed. I don't think so. Due to his size, his movements were pretty slow. He managed to hit me with his fist but it's gonna take a lot more to bring me down. He lunged at me but as he swung, I dodged it and saw an opening. His right side is exposed. I immediately stabbed him and he went down. I pointed my sword at the leader.

"I won't let you tarnish my family's good name." He drew out his sword and we fought. He's pretty good. But not good enough. I blocked all of his attacks. I saw an opening and swung at him. I hit his leg and he knelt down. I decided to make it even and sliced his other leg. I pushed him down and he was out of breath.

I quickly ran to Sora and hugged him.

"Are you alright?" I asked. He looked at me, shocked.

"Yukina, you came to save me. Why?" I untied him.

"Because… Because… Because I love you. You big idiot." I looked him in his eyes. He cupped my face and pulled me close to him.

"I shouldn't have doubted you." He said while stroking my hair.

"Let's talk about this later. We have to deal with this one right now." I pulled the mask off of the guy.

GASP

"Daimyo Akimoto?" Tori's father.

"Explain yourself." Sora demanded. Suddenly, I felt something wrong at the pit of my stomach.

"Hhha… you're too late." That was the last thing he said. What did he mean? Then it hit me.

"Yukio…" Sora and I rode the horse and we went back to the Palace as fast as we could.

"What's happening?" Sora asked.

"It's Tori. She's behind all of this. She was the one who wanted to kill me. She also tried to poison me. After you left this morning, Lady Hiwa was found dead in her room. I heard her say that if she can't have you, no one can so she arranged the ambush on you at Tasuke Pa.s.s. If I'm right, she's going to try and kill Yukio." Sora was speechless. We arrived back at the Palace. Sora and I went to Yukio's room. When we opened the door, Tori held Yukio in her arms. She held a knife to his neck. At the side of the room, Aino was knocked unconscious.

"Tori stop. If you want to kill me, kill me. Don't drag Yukio into this." She laughed maniacally.

"Why won't you just die Yukina? I tried everything to kill you but you seem to always make it out alive. You even managed to save the Emperor. What secrets are you hiding Yukina?" She waved the knife in front of me.

"Stop this Tori!" Sora exclaimed. Tori looked at him.

"Ah Emperor Sora. Why wouldn't you notice me? What does Yukina have that I don't? Is it this young boy here?" She laughed again. She's gone completely insane. I looked for an opening. I held the kunai in my hand and waited for her to wave the knife again. As she waved the knife, I threw the kunai at her hand and she let go of the knife. Yukio broke free from her grasp and ran towards his father.

"Why you little---." She grabbed the knife and attempted to stab Yukio. I ran as fast as I could and I took the hit. Tori stabbed my shoulder. I could feel the blood trickling down my arm. She let go of the knife and back off. She started laughing like crazy.

"Yukina!"

"Mama!" I heard Sora and Yukio screaming my name. I feel like pa.s.sing out. No! I can't let Tori hurt my family. I'm fine. I can still fight. I pulled the knife out of my shoulder and pointed it at Tori's throat.

"I should kill you right now… But that's the easy way out." Suddenly, the door flew open and Chojiro came in with the other guards. They pinned Tori down and led her away.

"Your majesty, I apologize that we came late. It turns out the letter was sent by Daimyo Akimoto. He and his daughter were planning to frame Shogun Hizas.h.i.+." Finally my father's name has been cleared.

[The Emperor's View]

I looked at Yukina.

Unfocused eyes, bruises from the fight earlier and the sobriety gained through pain. She suffered through so much.

"Chojiro, take Yukio and call the palace doctor immediately." He nodded and left the room.

"Yukina…"

"I-I'm f-fine…Y-Yukio…"

"Yukio's fine." Suddenly, she fainted in my arms. The doctor arrived and took care of her. Aino was also taken care of; Chojiro carried her to another room to rest.

"Yukio, how are you?" I asked. He looked traumatized.

"Is mama gonna be okay?" He said in between sobs. I hugged him.

"She'll be fine. Mama is strong, remember?" He nodded and wiped his tears away. After a while, the doctors came to me and told me about Yukina while they treated me wounds.

"She'll be fine your majesty. And the baby is safe as well." Baby?

"Baby?"

"Yes your majesty, her majesty is pregnant." I couldn't speak. After the doctors treated my wound, I went inside Yukina's room. She was already awake.

"How are you?" I asked. She looked at me and smiled.

"I'm fine. Are you okay? What about Yukio?"

"We're both fine, thanks to you." I sat down on the bed and Yukina sat up.

"Stay down. Don't force yourself." But she shook her head.

"I'm fine Sora. Relax." She smiled. This girl…

"Yukina, did you know?" She raised her eyebrow.

"Did you know that you're pregnant?" Her eyes widened.

"I am?" I nodded. Tears started streaming down her face.

"We're going to have another baby? I hope it's a girl." She said while crying tears of joy. I hugged her.

"Yukina, what you said when you saved me from that ambush, was it all true?" She looked at me, love clear in her eyes.

"Yes, I meant that you were a big idiot for not listening to me." And then she laughed. I held her hand. She stopped laughing and looked at me.

"Yes, Sora. I do love you. That's the truth." Hearing her say those words, I couldn't be happier. I wrapped her in my arms. I cupped her face.

"I love you Yukina." Her eyes widened. Then she smiled the biggest smile.

"I've been waiting for you to say that." And then she giggled.

"Sora, promise me that you'll trust me from now on." I was surprised by her request. I chuckled and nodded my head.

"I promise to trust you with my whole heart. No more doubts." She cupped my face and pulled me in for a kiss.

"What's going to happen to Tori and her father?" Yukina asked.

"We'll hold a trial. I won't have them executed. That'll be too easy for them." Yukina nodded. I have something better in store for them.