Title: Thy Lady o' Salvation and Liberty
Summary: Atobe Keigo was the equivalent of a schizophrenic patient, said many. And it was expected that he would marry none other than his same kind. Obviously.
A/N: Right, stupid of me to start yet ANOTHER multi-chap fic. But I couldn't resist. Atobe is just so amusing to write about. This won't go on for long, for around 20 chapters or less? I uploaded two chapters in the same time, because I couldn't bear to split the two apart! And because I couldn't wait to show you all what I've been working on. The first chappie is much less interesting, but I guarantee that the second one will be ten times more exciting! Read the first as well, for some background info. For all the schizophrenic patients in the world.
It was always like that, the old housekeeper Arashi noted.
No matter how flamboyant or arrogant on the outside, when the Young Master was called into his father's study, the Young Master would retain an expression of inferiority and utter obedience. When the Young Master exited the study, his strained face would relax all but a little. He would then brush waiting servants and attendants off, return to his room, and bury himself in whatever task his father had set him.
The light in his room would be up until the sun rose, then it would be turned off, but sounds of shuffling paper still echoed the hallway outside the Young Master's room. When morning came, the Young Master would once again brush off attending servants, furrow his finely trimmed eyebrows, and retrieve his tennis bag, and head out quietly from the Atobe mansion, without waking the other asleep members of the household.
Arashi knew well that tennis practice started not at five, but at a much later seven. Yet every time, he still saw the Young Master off without so much as a questioning glance, knowing that the Young Master needed some release after a full night of stress and pressure.
Then, he would return to Young Master's room to tend to the cleaning, only to discover, without much surprise, that the room was already completely spotless, a stack of documents and papers standing at the corner of his desk, with the Young Master's elegant handwriting filling up all the margins and space it could find.
However, in the evening, the Young Master would be called into his father's study again, this time with a servant holding his documents toddling behind him. His father's lectures and yells would fill the mansion, but the Young Master would never make a sound, silently sealing his voice. The Young Master would exit the room, expression more grim and more burdened, and return to his room to amend his errors.
Five a.m. in the next morning, the Young Master would disappear as he did the day before, leaving behind yet another spotless room and a thicker stack of documents.
Some people would deem Atobe Keigo a lucky man to be born into such a rich and prestigious family. Some would pretend to understand the Young Master's work, and criticize and judge it, as though the time and effort the Young Master immersed in it meant nothing. And some of the more ridiculous people would run their mouths shamelessly, calling the Young Master 'a pompous prat', 'an arrogant kid', 'a good-for-nothing wannabe prince'. Arashi knew better. He knew, every single day, the Young Master worked himself to the bone to get his father to acknowledge him. It was very subtle, so subtle perhaps not even the Young Master himself noticed, but Arashi did. Secretly, the Master was trying to mold the Young Master into exactly what he wanted. Perhaps the Master himself did not notice it himself, but with each criticizing glare and comment, he was setting a standard for which the Young Master had to achieve. And the Young Master was raised to meet expectations, so he thought it natural for himself to do what his father tells him to.
But it is tiring, Arashi noted, for a fifteen-year old boy to carry the expectations of the world, and stand up boldly. Since childhood, the Young Master never had the normal upbringing of a child. His parents never shed their precious time onto their son. The Young Master never received the warmth and love of a family. Perhaps that was the reason why the Young Master donned a narcissistic facade on the outside. If no one would give him love, he would give himself the love. The Young Master was independent that way.
Arashi watched the Young Master as he entered his father's study again. As always, he did his job dutifully and stood next to the door, trying to block out their conversation inside for the sake of the Young Master's privacy.
But as always, it was impossible to block it completely, for the Master's voice was loud.
"Keigo, you know of the Sannomiya Group? The group the specializes in running hospitals?"
"Yes, Father. What of it?"
"I'm interested in them. I have a feeling that their business is going quite good lately, and will grow even better in the near future. I want to become one of their sponsors." The older Atobe barked in laughter.
"That's is very clever, Father. Perhaps I should arrange a meeting with the head of the group for you, Father? I know someone-"
"You idiotic son, do you think that I have not done that already? I have planned a meeting with them next month."
"Next month, Father? Should you have arranged a sooner time?"
"I see you have not inherited much of my genes, Keigo. Did you not know that the Sannomiya Group does not easily allow other companies to join their circles?"
"Y-yes, Father, I have heard of that rumor."
"Well, now you know. We must establish a good connection with them before we propose to become business partners, is that right, Keigo?"
"Yes, Father. But how do you intend to do so, Father?"
"Did you think I called you here to tell me what to do? You will be the one who does this job. Make sure it is properly done, Keigo."
"How, Father?"
"There are a lot of rivals to compete with. We must do something unique to capture their interest. Say, visiting the hospitals they run?"
"But, Father, a lot of companies do that-"
"Listen to me when I am speaking, boy!" The Master's voice escalated. "You're not going to visit just any hospital. You are going to the Tokyo Psychiatric Ward."
The eight little words chilled Arashi's heart. Sending his own son to an asylum for a business connection, a father could not treat the Young Master worse. Oh, Young Master Keigo!
Arashi tried to approach the Young Master when he exited the study, his face paler and grimmer than usual, but he shrugged the old butler off as usual, telling him to retire to his room and take a rest with a weak smile. Watching the Young Master's shadow disappear in a corner, a tear trickled down the old man's cheek.
"Oi, gather around, regulars!" Atobe shouted, his voice ringing throughout the tennis courts.
"Atobe and his whims," Shishido grumbled. "Like we're dogs at his call and beckon."
"Shishido-san, you mustn't say that!" exclaimed Choutarou.
Atobe called again, "Hurry up, you commoners! Ore-sama does not have the time dawdle around!"
Yuushi rolled his eyes. Only Atobe Keigo would call students of the rich and elite Hyotei Gakuen commoners.
When all the regulars were lined up in front of the captain, Atobe began his speech, "Commoners! Your king will be away for a few days starting from tomorrow, for business meetings. So, I shall enlist Choutarou as my temporary replacement as the supreme ruler!"
There were murmurs and whispering, circling around the fact that apparently 'Atobe is crazy.'
"Oi!" Atobe shouted again, indignant. "If you have any complaints at your king's decision, you will submit a complaint letter through the coach. Ore-sama shall review it and consider possible solutions." More groans could be heard. "Ore-sama has selected Choutarou as the replacement for ore-sama believes he is the only possible member who will not abuse the power that comes with the position."
Gakuto sighed dramatically. "I look forward to the few days where you are the captain, Choutarou."
"Ah, you mustn't say that, Gakuto-senpai! Atobe-buchou will tell you off!" Choutarou waved his hands frantically.
"Oh, our dear Keigo, whatever shall we do in the dreadful days without your domineering presence?" Yuushi got down on one knee, and professed his undying love for Keigo. Atobe kicked him away in disgust.
"Get off me, commoner. Ore-sama's garments are tainted because of your filth!" He declared.
"Ah, Atobe, always the drama queen," Yuushi rolled his eyes.
"Ore-sama is not a queen! Ore-sama is the greatest king of the universe!"
Despite the bold remarks and declarations made at practice, Atobe found himself freezing in front of the place he was sent to, unable to move.
"Young Master?" Arashi peered at him.
"Nothing, Arashi. Would you care to prepare a gift for the head of the institute? We must have it before we take our leave." Atobe held his head high. He was Atobe Keigo, and he would not be intimidated by a non-living thing. "Inform the head. Ore-sama is ready."
"Yes, Young Master." With a quick bow, Arashi made his way into the institute.
As expected of the prestigious Tokyo Psychiatric Ward, it had a slightly more welcoming appearance than other psychiatric institutes. White marble for walls, Atobe could catch a glimpse of the inside. Yet, a sudden, manic shriek broke the budding appreciation Atobe had managed to gather in the past few minutes. From where the shriek came from, Atobe did not like to think. Perhaps someone spotted a cockroach, he decided. But the chilling feeling in his heart did not melt.
Arashi was returning, with a smile on his wrinkled face. "Sannomiya Kazuki, the head of the institute is inside. He will be receiving you in the lobby, Young Master. I shall send for someone to prepare a gift later."
Sannomiya Kazuki was one of Sannomiya Koichi's, the head of the Sannomiya Group, prided sons, second in line in the family. Yes, Father would definitely wish to please him. There was something in the back of Atobe's mind, a tiny reminder that he had gone over when researching the Sannomiya Group. Yet he could not recall it. Ah, never mind. It probably wasn't anything that important.
Pushing open the glass door, Atobe felt a rush of air conditioning plunge his face, soothing his heated body.
"Welcome, Atobe-sama. I am Sannomiya Kazuki, the current head of this institute. It is truly a pleasure to have you here." The man bowed deeply. When he straightened, Atobe nearly took a step back. Whoa. Who knew doctors could be so hot?
His chocolate brown hair was swept to one side, dazzling green eyes gazing at him steadily. His chin was perfectly rounded, cheekbones high. He tilted his amazing head. "Atobe-sama?" Even his voice was musical.
Atobe cleared his throat. No, he would not be turned on by a male doctor who was probably thrice his age and had a son and spends his life taking care of mental patients, handsome looks notwithstanding. "Ore-sama's father sends you his greetings, and apologizes for being unable to come today." Doctor Kazuki looked a bit taken aback at the 'ore-sama' pronoun, but smoothened his face quick enough.
"Atobe-sama - ah, may I call you Keigo-kun?" Doctor Kazuki smiled. It was a fatherly sort of smile, one Atobe's father would never be caught dead in.
"That would be fine." Atobe nodded curtly.
"Keigo-kun, shall we take this conversation to my office? It might get a bit rowdy down here." He gestured towards the elevators.
As they waited for the elevators to arrive, Doctor Kazuki spoke up. "This is the first time our institute has ever received visitors who are not related to any of our patients. Believe it or not, all of us are very excited and honored that the Atobe family would take their time to visit us."
Atobe knew what the model answer was supposed to be; he was very well-trained in this part. "This is what we should do, and should have done a long time ago." He replied politely.
Doctor Kazuki smiled again. "You are too kind, Keigo-kun." His face turned to a more serious tone. "Many people have common misconceptions about psychiatric wards and its patients. I hope you will not be too biased in judging us. Psychiatric patients may not necessarily be raving lunatics, as the people like to describe them as. Their brain is simply wired a bit different from ours. Just because a computer is wired differently, it does not mean it is not useful, yes? One must learn to appreciate the beauty in difference. It should be a crime to label our patients as anything other than perfectly normal humans." Surprisingly, his tone was bitter, and he was biting his lower lip angrily.
The elevator arrived, and Doctor Kazuki's expression was wiped. "After you, Keigo-kun."
One would expect an elevator ride to be boring, uneventful and quiet.'
Theirs was not.
Before they reached the top floor, which was the level where Doctor Kazuki's office was, the elevator doors opened, and produced a very flustered nurse.
"Doctor Kazuki! There you are!" The nurse shrieked, and grabbed the doctor's arm. "Natsuki-kun has run off, and he has not taken his medicine yet!"
Doctor Kazuki frowned. "Oh dear, and I was in the middle of showing Keigo-kun to my office as well." He turned to Atobe. "I'm sorry, Keigo-kun, but I must take care of this immediately. It would be dangerous for you to find my office by yourself. Stay on this level, anywhere would be fine, and I'll will find you later, after I attend to this."
And with that, he ran off without another word.