I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter. I'm traveling now and bored and have pleanty of time to write and the chapters just seem to be flowing and they should all be posted the same day. At least the ones that I write the next couple of days. I have no idea what is going to happen, I seem to be making it all up as I go along so we'll see how it pans out together. (P.S. If you ever have to travel across the country, take a train, plane or car. Do NOT take a bus. What was a two and a half day trip has turned into a three to four day trip). This is another short chapter, shorter than the last, but it didn't need to seem anymore. Please let me know what you think. :D
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Chapter Two: A Letter
Nowaki searched the palace for his king and found him where he knew he would, the library. The king spent his leisure hours here writing, although what he wasn't sure. Sitting on a gold tray was a white scrawl addressed to the king from the neighboring kingdom. It was often Nowaki's job to take the letters to the king, which he responded to immediately and Nowaki would take the reply back to the awaiting messenger who would ride back and deliver said reply to his king.
The tall man's heart was lighter than it ever had been after the king's gracious decision two days before. When he found his king surrounded by mountains of papers he cleared his throat softly and bowed deeply, careful not to tip the tray in his hand. "From King Takashi?" was the kings response upon seeing his servant.
"Yes my Lord," Nowaki replied, still bowing.
"Bring it here." Nowaki stood and placed the tray in front of the king. He watched as the man before him opened the letter with pure joy written on his face. As he read through the letter the looks changed from one of thoughtfulness to one of… despair? The king looked up and saw Nowaki still watching him and his face became a mask once again. He hastily wrote a reply at the bottom of the parchment, sealed it and handed it back. Before Nowaki left with the tray once again he bowed so low his head could have touched his knees. "Forgive me, my Lord, if I speak out of turn, but I wanted to express my deepest thanks."
Lord Usagi said nothing for a moment before he gave a nod and sent the servant on his way. He expected to feel guilt over making Hiroki have sex with him, knowing their feelings for each other but nothing came. He felt empty. His childhood was spent in loneliness and as the years went on he was becoming more and more a simple shell of a man.
Looking out a window he watch the winds blow the sand around and wished it could take him with it. Takahiro had written to send good news. He and his wife would be traveling soon to see him with two announcements, both of which he did not explain in his letter. Knowing his friend as he did he was sure it wasn't done on purpose but it left the king on edge. Anytime Takahiro spoke it enthralled the king but with the note he was left wanting more.
His mind raced. He was sure one announcement would be that an heir was on the way. He and his bride had been married for more than half a year and it was about time she showed the fruits of their bond. He didn't know what the second announcement was and it was killing him. It would hurt when his beloved announced he was having a child almost as badly as it did when he announced his intention to marry.
What else could he possibly have to say? The king frowned as his mind filled with possibilities, each just as unlikely as the last. Standing, he moved to the window and watched as the heat made waves dance up from the sand. Here inside of the palace he was kept cool during the day and warm during the nights. Part of him belong out there with the sun and the sand and part of him belonged in the palace with the demands on his time, attention, and money.
It seemed that he was as lost as those grains of sand, having a place, filling a place, yet being a part of nothing. No one needed him really, and one day someone else would take his place. He was just a pawn in the moment of time and destiny was the player, moving him from place to place. Eventually his time would be up and he'd leave the board but the game of life would continue. As much as it pained him to admit, even to himself, he wanted-no needed- someone who could play the game by his side until it was his time to leave.
If he'd had a heart he was sure it would ache in this moment. Loneliness would crash around him and through him without a though, if he had a heart. But his only love, loved another so his heart had gone cold and then left. Not completely, he supposed, as he could still feel for others to some extent and he still loved Takahiro, whether the fool was too blind to see it or not.
He longed for his love to be returned and to make him a full man once again. To keep his mind and heart whole. Turning away from the window he moved back to the desk and picked up a long hose, taking a deep draw. When he exhaled blue smoke danced around him in patterns before dispersing. He amused himself with this for awhile watching the smoke dance through the air. Soon he grew tired of it and set the hose aside and went back to his writing.
