Wolves
This story is rated PG-13 for sexual situations
Chapter 20 - Boushin
Kamella sat before her vanity, brushing her hair. Early that morning, Krulle had been executed. Boushin had been appalled to learn that Krulle had murdered Touya, and very upset that Touya had died because of his love for the Ice Demon. Kamella didn't dare ask for clemency for Krulle after listening to his outburst. She wisely decided that keeping a low profile would be the best, lest suspicion fall upon her. There was a soft knock on the door, and Baile walked into the room, and bowed. "Empress, will you have need of me tonight?"
"I don't know, Baile. The Emperor is very upset, and he did not say whether he is coming to my bed or not. Wait here for a while."
Baile bowed and settled into a chair in the corner, trying to be unobtrusive. He was another of Krulle's ideas. The phallus may have worked on Boushin for one night, but it would not work for much more time, not when Boushin preferred men to women. So Baile was brought from her home village. He was young and beautiful and obedient and well trained in the ways of lovemaking. They became a threesome, with Baile and Kamella together satisfying the Emperor's needs. While Kamella waited in her room, Boushin was in Vara's room. Vara was trying to keep the young Emperor calm.
"I still can't believe that Touya was murdered! Just because I loved him."
"Krulle thought she was helping her mistress." Vara said.
Boushin suddenly turned and looked at her sharply. "Krulle would never do anything unless Kamella told her to!"
Vara was surprised by his words. They had misjudged the young Emperor; he would not overlook the truth for his own peace of mind. "I …"
"You know, don't you? Kamella would have done anything to become Empress."
"Kamella would do anything for your love. She loves you very much." Vara said truthfully.
"Including killing the one person who stood between her and me?"
"I cannot answer that. We do not have proof and Krulle took all the blame on herself."
"You never answered me. Your power is sensing emotions. Is Kamella capable of ordering Touya's death?" Boushin asked.
"Yes."
"What should I do? You say there is no proof and our laws demand proof of the crime. Even I am not above those laws."
"That is up to you. No one can decide the future of the Empress except you." Vara told him. "But I will stand behind whatever decision you make."
"I would have her executed if I could!" Boushin snarled. "I had found happiness with Touya and she took it away! But I can dethrone her and banish her from the Palace forever."
"If that is what you truly want, I will have Tekken do it. We need to get Hotoshin to safety before she takes him."
"She barely touches him now! He was just a means to cement her power over me. What a fool I was!"
"What about Baile?"
Boushin looked at her, "I guess he is not a secret, is he? As beautiful as he, Baile is tainted with both Kamella and Krulle. Banish them both, and any other servant that she might have bought with her to the Palace."
"I will send for Tekken." Vara said and opened the door to give the guard instructions. A short while later Tekken entered. Vara told him about Boushin's decision and Tekken nodded and left.
The Bobcat took two of his clan and went to her rooms. Without knocking, he threw open the door, and each of the Bobcats took hold of Kamella and Baile. Throughout the Palace, other Bobcats were gathering the rest of her servants.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Kamella screamed. "How dare you! I will have your head!"
"I warned you once, I will not do so again."
Kamella turned completely white and her knees gave way; she would have gone to the floor if it weren't for the strength of the Bobcat holding her arm. "Am I to be executed? No, please…"
"No, Kamella, we still do not have proof against you. You are to be banished and your crown removed. You are not longer Empress of Suzaku."
"Boushin will never allow this!" Kamella said, gathering her strength.
Tekken walked up to her until he was only an inch from her face and whispered in a cold voice, "It was his command."
"No!" It was then that her world came crashing down. All her schemes and plans turned to ash with his words. Boushin knew the truth!
Kamella and her group were escorted to her village, under guard, and there she would remain imprisoned. Bobcat guards were always around her, and she would live out her days in shame. She would never see Boushin or her son again. During the search of her rooms, Tekken found Krulle's book of potions and sent it to Kaiba. There were many potions that the Mage had not known of and with this book, he could now make antidotes for them all. In the end, Krulle's book of death ended up saving lives.
Several days after Kamella's departure, Vara sought out Boushin to inquire how he was doing. The Emperor looked tired, with dark circles under his eyes as if he had not slept in days. "Boushin, please let me ease your pain. I can help you forget."
"No, Vara, I want to remember. I never want to forget what a fool I was and what a terrible price Touya paid for it."
"You are being too hard on yourself. You were not a fool at all. None of us suspected her, except for Hiya. Somehow she knew from the beginning that Kamella was to blame. It was her tenacity that found the truth. Hiya never gave up."
"Does she know what has transpired?"
"Yes, Tekken told her when he took the book to Kaiba. She is at peace now."
"I wish I was." Boushin said, burying his face in his hands. "I loved him so much!"
Vara took him in her arms and held him while he sobbed out his pain. She did not use her power, allowing his pain to flow freely. It would take a long time for him to heal, but he would eventually heal. Time always heals.
In the Castle of Otherworld, Hiei was with his niece.
"Are you okay with the outcome, Hiya? Kamella avoided the executor's axe."
"I think that the shame of losing her throne and Boushin is more punishment for her than a quick death. All she wanted was to be his Empress." Hiya answered. "Yes, Uncle, I am at peace, and now finally, so is my father."