Author's Note: Still written years ago (almost half a decade!). Still unedited.
PEACH BLOSSOM
A Word of the Day Ficlet
By Kysra
WARNING: Major Spoilers for Volume 2 of the manga
Kyo is ten years old and prepared to live a life of subservience until she totters through the gate with her little blonde top knot, big blue eyes, and sugar-sweet disposition.
He's confused at first, annoyed as their acquaintance lengthens and her attempts at "playing" are hindered by his studies and general unwillingness to comply; but then he finds her waiting in the rain, huddled beneath his window and she smiles so readily, her smile brilliant against the dreary gray, and he suddenly understands the source of her attachment.
He is her first friend. Even though she is human. Even though he is a demon.
So he decides to allow her in, folds her into his life and schedules time to entertain her. He is charmed near instantly by her innate but gentle mischievous nature, finds in himself an affection drawn out by her ever-growing confidence around him. He knows all too well what bullying she has experienced - from spirit, human, and demon alike, can see the scars of inferiority etched deep into her eyes; and without conscious thought, decides to heal her.
Only to be undermined by his brother.
Kyo doesn't know, doesn't see it until it is nearly too late; but when he sees the red, bruising swell of her cheek instead of just the sweetness of her smile, he understands that - should things continue as they are with his brother as heir and he as vassal - she will not survive past the wedding night. He decides then, picturing her eaten carcass, this cannot go on and he will never be satisfied with being just her friend or brother-in-law.
It is with a heavy conviction in his heart that he tells her goodbye, knowing it is temporary but feeling lonely despite the knowledge. The coming years will not be easy; and he is more than aware that the time to surpass his brother and gain the support he will need is limited. Ten years is not forever and relatively short for someone of his heritage.
But he has confidence that he will succeed - he has already received approval from his grand-father (and, by extension, the clan) and Sojo is too cruel and arrogant to surpass a serious rival. However, it worries him that the distance necessary to prepare himself for this coup will spell hard times for her.
Still, Kyo is ten years old and can appreciate that leadership is often fraught with hard, difficult decisions. This is merely the first of many. So, he tells her good-bye for now and promises he will come back someday to take her as his bride, hoping that this will be enough to seal him in her mind until he can take his place as head of his clan and become worthy of her.
Word: Effulgence