Third part!


Series: Chrysanthemum
Title: Light of the Chrysanthemum
Author: ice
Genre: General, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: AtoJi
Summary: Set in a semi-feudal era. With time set in a never-ending forward flow comes the duties of a lord--duties that if he could have thrown away, he would have. He wished life was as simple as it had been when he had been a child.

Disclaimer: I can only wish I owned PoT. If I did, then the series would have 1. Officially have AtoJi as one of the pairings, 2. Be Hyoutei-centric, and 3. Tenimyu would also reflect AtoJi so that I can watch Kazuki and Takuya be all cute and stuff to each other. XD

"When I grow up, I wanna marry Ji-chan!"

"Child! You cannot-"

"I don't care!" Dark eyes glared at her.

A man knelt down next to the child. "Son, you have responsibilities as an adult. Besides, when you reach that age, you may not want to marry your Ji-chan anymore."

The child glared at him, beginning to open his mouth to protest again, when he was interrupted by a soft voice.

"...I just have to give him babies, right?" Jaws dropped at the other child's question. How did a child grasp the concept of having children?!

"...right?"

"Well, yes, but-" The man tried to explain, but was once again cut off by the child.

"Then I'll give him as many babies as he needs!" The child nodded as if confirming the statement.

"Child, you cannot-"

"I'll find a way!" The child pouted at him. Between his own son glaring at him and this child giving him such a look, he was at a loss as to what to do.

A chuckle sounded throughout the room. "Why don't you just let them sign the betrothal contract? That IS what they want, correct?"

The children nodded. "Then that's settled. They'll eventually realize what they just did and agree to break it off in the future, but for now, let them have their fun." Then he added to the woman. "Oh yes, add in a stipulation of him marrying one of your other children should they eventually decide to not marry."

Taken aback, the woman hesitantly agreed. "..al-alright..."

Of course, that was just a dream of the past, she reflected. An impossible dream now.

The Lady gently parted the curtains leading the way to her daughter's chamber, silently stepping towards her daughter sitting at her vanity preparing herself for the day. Light-brunette hair the color of warmth fell gently in long curls down the girl's back, clipped and held with ornate pins.

"Child."

The girl started at her mother's sudden voice and turned around. "Mother. What are you doing here?" She asked, surprised.

"Just checking up on my daughter." The Lady moved closer until she stood right behind her daughter. "How do you feel?"

"Excited. I'm finally going to be meeting my betrothed!" The girl clapped her hands in happiness.

The woman gave an almost bittersweet smile to her daughter. She was happy her daughter actually looked forward to meeting her betrothed, unlike many others, but she wasn't too sure about the future son-in-law. While he had been a most honorable and noble child, she hadn't been hearing too many great things about him. She doubted the child had changed so drastically, but ever since that incident over a decade prior when her family's home was invaded, the boy had somehow lost all his memories of ever meeting them. It was strange to say the least.

She supposed they were lucky to have come so far, however. The boy had been the Emperor's nephew, and because he had been visiting their home so frequently, the Emperor had also decided to stop by for visits whenever he was in the area. It was shocking to have royalty in their home, but they had eventually adapted, becoming somewhat close acquaintances with the royal line. It was for this reason that when their home had burned to the ground, they were offered a place at the palace. She now stayed there with her two daughters while her son headed their province. It also helped that her husband was on the council of advisers.

She looked at her cheerful daughter and sighed. Her baby was going to leave the nest soon. She was going to slowly lose her daughter starting the following week when the betrothed finally visited the palace. Sons didn't leave the family; daughters did. Smiling a bit bitterly, she reflected on the fact that had that siege so long ago had never happened, she would still have a child left to dote on.

I hope everyone liked it. Please leave a comment or review!