PART ONE
-
In a sloping valley sat a fair, simple kingdom. Its cottages humble, its cobblestone paths modest, it was undoubtedly a wonderful place to live. Everyone liked living there, and had a quiet life. And, of course, this modest kingdom was ruled by a king.
The king's castle towered high over the homes in the valley below, and was a famous landmark for miles around. The king himself who lived there was named Ayame Sohma. He was a handsome man, with long, flowing silver hair and sparkling golden eyes. He was charismatic, but at the same time highly boisterous and regal.
Now, he was liked by everyone in his kingdom, but everyone had to agree that he wasn't exactly the most focused king there was. In fact, he liked to slack off. He found his royal duties a bore, and would much rather be in… the bathtub?
Yes, the bathtub. He loved taking baths, because, not only were they relaxing, but it was the only time he got to play with his most favorite thing in the world: his rubber ducky. He loved his ducky like a child, and it was his sole political advisor and confidant. He would barely let the toy leave his side.
Now, the king had a second-hand man, and that was Yuki Sohma. Yuki was Ayame's younger brother, and often serious and soft-spoken. He never really lost his temper, though you could tell when Ayame really pushed his buttons.
At the time of this story, there was a war raging beyond the kingdom's borders. Through Yuki, the kingdom's troops were sent out to fight. When Ayame was particularly stubborn, Yuki took matters into his own hands, associating and planning frequently with Ayame's prime general, Kagura Sohma, a relative of theirs. Though a dainty woman, she was skilled in combat and had been in her top-ranking position for years.
And so begins our tale.
On a bright and sunny late spring afternoon, Yuki, having just been in yet another meeting with Kagura, scrambled frantically down the main hallway of the castle, dashing to Ayame's main quarters. He burst through the door, and called out "Your majesty! I need to speak with you!"
"Later, little brother," came the response from the washroom. Yuki jumped, expecting the call to have come from the master bedroom. "I have more important matters at the moment."
Yuki rolled his eyes. Of course he was in the bathtub again. How could he have expected any different? "Sire, this is crucial. More troops have been expended dramatically since the war has began and…" He trailed off when he heard Ayame singing to himself faintly, echoing in the large washroom, completely ignoring everything Yuki was saying.
Becoming aggravated, Yuki pounded on the door with his fist. "Can it wait a bit longer, Yuki?" Ayame whined.
"No, it can't. Are you just about done?"
"Not quite," Ayame replied nonchalantly. "I'm ready when I'm ready."
Yuki said, "Can you make this brief? There are important matters we must discuss, for the sake of your kingdom."
"Hmm… should I come out now?" Ayame said aloud to himself. He hesitated, pondering the question. "What do you think, ducky?"
Not this again… Yuki slapped his forehead as Ayame happily squeaked the rubber duck. " Oh, I couldn't agree more! Ducky says that it can wait! We're not finished with our royal bath!"
"Whatever helps you sleep at night…" Yuki grumbled, leaning against the wall as he waited for Ayame to retreat from the washroom.
Ayame reclined contentedly on the walls of his massive bathtub. The ducky sat poised on his belly, and he smiled down at it. After flicking a clump of bubbles from his long hair, he held the ducky in his hands and began to talk to himself. "There are several kings out there. Some like horses, cattle, and such. Some like to lead their troops into battle… but not me." He wrinkled his nose in disgust. "I find those things dreary. The only thing I want…" he pressed the precious rubber ducky to his cheek affectionately, "…is my ducky."
Yuki, who had been listening to Ayame's monologue, raised an eyebrow. Is that really all the king wanted? Yuki doubted it. Before he had time to consider the subject, the door to the washroom slammed in his face and pinned him to the wall.
A rush of steam billowed out from the room, and Ayame emerged in only a towel, still firmly clutching the rubber ducky. He strode into his main quarters, water dripping from his hair, humming to himself. Yuki inched the door open and poked his head out from behind it. "Ayame, if you could spare a moment, there are things we need to discuss."
"So I've heard," Ayame brushed off his brother's suggestion indifferently. He was heading to a closet, the one in which he changed clothes in. It was filled with only the most elaborate, high-quality clothing in the region, most of them made by his personal tailor, Mine Kuramae. He sifted through the massive closet, being finicky with his clothing, as usual.
"You know of the war, right? Well… we're in it."
No response. Yuki's face began to grow red with frustration, but when he took a deep breath, he returned to his natural color. "I really don't mean to make a fuss—"
"Then, don't," Ayame butted in, sticking his head out from the closet. Turning back, he said, "Ooh! Perfect!" He slammed the door in Yuki's face, perhaps intentionally. When he stepped out, he was clad in a red and gold kimono-like outfit, complete with his imperial crown, clearly pleased with himself. Yuki was bewildered to see the rubber ducky still in his brother's hand.
"You just can't put down that duck, can you?"
"Nope," Ayame replied cheerfully. "And that is why I can't be bothered with the particulars of war." He padded toward a giant portrait of a woman, not unlike him and Yuki, hanging on the wall. "Because quite unlike our dear mother… I find it all a bore!" He turned his nose up and walked away. Promptly, the portrait broke from a corner and dangled precariously on one side.
Unexpectedly, Ayame turned to face Yuki, with a warm expression in his eyes. "Now, concentrate, dear brother, and I think you will concur that the most important person there is would be… me." He smiled to himself, and Yuki scoffed at his uncontained arrogance. "So don't drag me down with all the people and their troubles, I implore you." With that being said, he walked off onto the balcony as if he had never said anything.
"I don't know why I even bother…" Yuki mumbled, shaking his head. "You just can't reason with him. I think it's time to face the facts: we're all a little stuck here."
"Oh, just let the army run amok. I don't really care, just so long as we win," Ayame said from outside in a nonchalant tone.
"I fear the kingdom is running short on luck," Yuki murmured. "All because of that stupid rubber duck!"
Suddenly, Ayame froze in his tracks. The rubber duck dropped from his grip. At first Yuki thought Ayame heard his grumbling, but he was staring off into the distance. "Wait— what's that?" He leaned over the railing to get a closer look, so far that one leg stuck out and that his stomach pressed the railing hard.
What he saw was a little girl in a bathtub, in a cottage not far from the castle's gates. He knew that little girl. It was Kisa Sohma, another relative of his. She had light orange hair and pastel yellow eyes. Not only was she very shy and quiet, she was often picked on for her unusual hair and eye color. Her personality aside, the thing that caught Ayame's attention was not Kisa herself, but the rubber ducky she cradled in her dainty hands. She looked down on it happily, it was her most favorite toy. She would be heartbroken if she were ever to lose it or if it were given away. But Ayame didn't know that. He felt his heart flutter at the very sight of it, and he forgot all about his other ducky. This was what he wanted.
Ayame stepped back from the railing, still fixed on Kisa's duck. "It's… beautiful," he murmured. Yuki tipped his head to one side in curiosity. "I want it," his brother said bluntly.
Yuki walked up to the railing, and saw what Ayame was observing. "What? The house?"
"No. The ducky."
Yuki looked down at the rubber ducky that had been carelessly tossed to the floor, and felt a pang of empathy for the inanimate object. "B-but, Aaya, you already have a ducky," he explained, pointing to the one on the ground.
Ayame stiffened. "What are you implying? That I shouldn't get whatever I want?!" he demanded, whipping around and facing his brother with an indignant glare.
"Well…"
Ayame snapped, grabbing his brother's shoulders firmly. "I must have that duck, don't you understand?! You shall go and get it for me! If you really want me to be happy, then you'll show me that you adore me! Do not rest for even a minute until that duck is sitting here before my throne! If you want to do your best, I suggest you go now, and bring me back that duck!" He stood there in silence for a second, breathing hard as he waited for Yuki to take in his speech.
"Um… brother… if I could just jog your memory," he said, making his way to a wooden cabinet, "you already have plenty of rubber ducks." He swung open the doors, revealing a fabulous array of shiny rubber ducks, lined up neatly and orderly. Yuki resisted the urge to grab one and squeak it himself.
Ayame just stood there for a few seconds nose scrunched in disgust, staring belligerently at the ducks. "Those are yesterday's ducks," he explained bluntly, turning his head away aloofly.
"Wha…?" Yuki was astounded at his brother's hasty denial. "But… these are all perfectly good ducks! Why, most of your royal subjects would do anything to have a ducky even half this nice!" He held out one to the king, squeaking it to increase the appeal.
Ayame reluctantly held it in his hand, observing it for only a moment before harshly tossing it the floor with aversion in his eyes. "I don't like them!" he yelled. "I don't want these any longer!" With that, he began grabbing handfuls of ducks and throwing them across the room, hard as he could in his frustration. Yuki watched the scene in horror. "My affection for these ducks isn't getting any more passionate! When you say I can't get what I want, you couldn't be more wronger! Please don't ask me to explain why, there will be pain if you don't bring me back that duck!"
Yuki was simply awestruck. How greedy could you possibly be? Ayame turned away and stuck his nose up in the air. "This conversation is over."
"…Did you say, 'more wronger'?" Yuki probed.
"What? I don't know. Perhaps," Ayame replied with a snort.
"It's 'more wrong'… not 'more wronger'." Yuki explained gently, not wanting to push Ayame's anger even further. It was too late for that.
Aaya growled, then whipped around and snapped, "Don't question the king's grammar! Now go and get that duck!" He stamped his foot on the ground, as if to solidify his point.
"But, brother! We can't just barge in and steal Kisa's duck!" Yuki attempted to reason with the king.
"Why not?" Ayame inquired sourly.
"Well, word will get out, Aaya. Then the townspeople will become paranoid, thinking you're going to take their stuff!" Yuki explained. Ayame still avoided eye contact, trying his bets to make it look like he didn't care. But his little brother had a point. What would happen to his reputation if people thought he was a thief? That would inevitably lead to some form of rebuke, perhaps even going so far as… impeachment! Ayame wouldn't stand for that.
Yuki murmured, "You just can't run a kingdom like that."
Ayame shot his brother a brief glance, then rolled his eyes. "Oh… all right. I suppose you have a point."
Yuki smiled at his achievement. Finally, his older brother was listening to him! Besides, he would not, could not, let Ayame steal Kisa's rubber duck. It was her only toy! He could only imagine how unhappy she would be if Ayame took it.
"Well, then, we'll have to do something about Kisa," Ayame said suddenly. Yuki could only gape. What? Was his brother even listening? Anger rose in his heart. But before he could say anything, Ayame's stomach growled. There was an awkward pause between them before Aaya spoke. "Well, first thing's first," he said. "Go tell the cooks downstairs to prepare me lunch. And please don't linger."
Yuki opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it. It was no use talking sense to Ayame… much less when he was hungry. When Yuki swung open the door, he was surprised to see Kagura standing outside, about to knock. "Ah, Yuki Sohma! What a pleasant surprise!" she beamed. She was a short woman, with medium-length brown hair and dark brown eyes. She was clad in shining armor, ready to jump into battle at any given moment. "Is Ayame here?"
"I most certainly am," Ayame said, striding in between Yuki and Kagura. "Well, if it isn't Kagura, my favorite general. How goes the war, my dear?"
"As Yuki informed you," Kagura replied, "the war has become ferocious! We are losing more and more soldiers with every passing day! We need more militia at the front."
Ayame cocked an eyebrow. "Yuki didn't tell me that."
"I tried, Ayame," Yuki interjected, "But you wouldn't come out of the…" He nodded toward the washroom.
Ayame rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hm… more militia, eh?"
"Yes. More militia. Men, women, even young adults! I don't care, we need armed forces!"
Ayame considered the predicament. How could he use this to his advantage…? Of course! "You know… I believe Kisa would like to help."
Yuki was appalled. Kisa?! Was he really…?
"…Kisa?" Kagura echoed uncertainly. "She's only a child, and rather small."
"Oh, she's surprisingly strong for her age," Ayame reassured her.
Kagura hesitated, but bowed her head respectfully and said, "As you wish, sire."
"Your Highness…!" Yuki whimpered.
"Oh, and one more thing, Kagura," Ayame added. "Have Kisa… stand at the front of the battle. And let everyone else… step back."
Kagura's eyes widened in shock. "B-but…she'll be… creamed!"
Yuki watched this whole scene with growing resentment. He desperately wanted to punch his brother in the face, but he restrained himself. Why, why, why was he letting his brother do this? Poor Kisa! And to think, her standing at the front of the battle, trying to protect the masses… it was a terrible image.
Kagura stood there, her mind reeling. What was the king thinking, sending a young lady into battle like that? Should she refuse? Or let herself satisfy the king's wishes?
The king began to think about what he was doing. Kisa was only a child, after all. What would happen if she were injured… or worse? But he really wanted that duck. And it was the only way of getting to it without being noticed. "Your king," he said slowly, "has spoken."
"A-as you wish… sire…" Kagura stuttered, then left the king's main quarters, still confused. Yuki simply couldn't believe what was happening, the injustice of it all! Why was Ayame so selfish?
"Yuki," Ayame said. "Meet me at the East Gate, at dusk. We've got a job to do." His stomach growled again. "But first, hurry and tell the cooks to prepare my lunch. I'm still hungry." With that, he walked through the door to his master bedroom and shut the door.
It was terrible. Yuki didn't want Kisa to be hurt, and he certainly didn't want to steal her rubber duck. But he also didn't want Ayame to send him into the war as well. So he reluctantly did as the king asked. Why am I doing this? He stood in the threshold for just a moment, then turned around, shook his head sadly, and left.
OH MY GOD I CAME BACK. :O For those of you unfamilliar with me, I've basically been on hiatus on this site since... oh geez, I don't even know how long ago it was! XD But the important thing is, now I'm back! 8D (And there was much rejoicing... yay #tiny firework pops#)
My revival aside, this is VERY strongly based off the VeggieTales episode "King George and the Ducky". I was wathcing it a few days ago, because I felt like it (I'm such a 90's child. XP), and I suddnely though, "What if Aaya was the king? GASP. I'm having another epiphany! #lightbulb#" And so, I cranked out this bad boy. :) Should this be listed as a crossover or not? If anyone would enlighten me, that would be fantabulous. :3
...Ayame can sure throw one heck of a tantrum for a grown man. X'DDDDDD Then again, if you wanted something that bad and your annoying little brother denied you of it, I'd personally do the same. #sweatdrop#
Needless to say, this was a blast to write! I'm going to get part 2 done ASAP. In fact, once I get off here, I'm going to go and do that. I'm HELL-BENT on finishing this. XD
Hope you enjoyed!~ Remember to read and reveiw, it saves kittens! :3
~UltraVioletSpectrum (aka Mo)
