Beta: Anna (daiyafordayz)
Warnings: UST, language, Kagami being romantic sap
Word count: 9633
A/N: We're finally in Touou! I hope reading this chapter will make you as happy as I was when I was writing it. It's a very peaceful chapter – with a twist ;)
Rated NC-17 for whole series, PG-13 for this chapter.
Chapter III
Kagami cannot sleep.
He stared numbly at the closed doors before his brain kicked in. He gently sets the items Kise gifted him on the desk and strips down to his underwear. The night – bordering dawn with sky slowly fading from the pitch dark black to a navy-blue – is too hot to sleep in any clothes. The bed is soft, and inviting but Kagami, with his head full of dark thoughts, knows he wouldn't be able to sleep.
He is right.
There is no sound coming from Kise's room. Would Kagami hear him leaving for that red-haired girl? No, no, Kise wouldn't leave him. True, Kagami was left alone in the dancing hall but there were soldiers on dutyto kept everyone safe and –
His hands curl into fists and Kagami snarls at the dark ceiling above him. Once shock starts to wear off, he feels the annoyance taking over his mind. Sure, he told Kise to 'have fun', but shouldn't his bodyguard tell him if he is going somewhere? That is one of the most unprofessional things Kise has ever done. He doesn't have to tell Kagami the truth; he could've even lie that he was going to the bathroom!
… No, there is no use in being angry. Not after he isn't innocent either.
A blush creeps onto Kagami's cheeks when he remembers what he has done not so long ago. He touched himself and got off to the thoughts of Kise. He has always tried to think about anyone except Kise but tonight he didn't even fight the dirty thoughts about his bodyguard from streaming into his head. The heir is supposed to stop liking his employee so much, not to pleasure himself while thinking about him!
With a pained moan, Kagami turns around, burrowing his face in the pillow. This whole situation doesn't make sense. On one hand, he wants to be angry at Kise for leaving him and, if he is honest with himself, for kissing someone else; but on the other hand he is also angry at himself for crossing the boundaries and for treating Kise like he belongs to Kagami just because he was angry that his bodyguard didn't kiss him! And he's also afraid that he will be unable to treat Kise like before and destroy their friendship.
Gods, why does his life have to be such a mess?
Kagami sighs, wishing he could go out for a ride or maybe sword fight with someone. He isn't good at thinking and dealing with emotions; his favourite method of solving problems is to exercise. Somehow he always finds a solution – even if it looks like there is no solution to his problems at the moment. A small duel will certainly help him clear his mind right now.
He hopes everything will be fine again when they reach the earl's mansion.
Just like how Kagami wished, in the morning everything is fine… Kise was at least. Kagami himself cannot look at his bodyguard without blushing, last night's 'accidents' fresh in his memory: moans of that girl and his own, later, when he was staining his and Kise's friendship.
Gods, this is a nightmare.
"Kagamicchi, are you alright?" Kise asks when they are back on the bumpy road, away from the city. He has this sad look of a kicked puppy on his face and Kagami aches to touch him. "Is it about yester—"
"No, no, everything's fine. I'm just sleepy," Kagami says, rubbing his face. They had went to sleep very late and got up quite early. It is not surprising that they both still feel the heaviness of sleep clouding their minds and weighing down their limbs. "At the festival yesterday, you said that how long would it be before we reach the earl's mansion?" Kagami leans back in his seat, hoping Kise doesn't notice the change of topic.
Kise's slight scowl says he notices that but chooses not to say anything. He always knows when not to push Kagami to talk and that is one of the things that Kagami lo – likes about him.
"Two days. We'll be in the next inn late in the evening and then we'll have to wake up early tomorrow too." Kise chuckles as Kagami whines audibly. "Back at home you wake up early too and you don't grumble so much then, Kagamicchi."
"It's only because I spend previous days doing something productive. Sitting whole day in a carriage is more draining than I thought." The carriage sways suddenly, jumping on a big stone the coachman fails to dodge and Kagami flies forward, smacking his palm on a seat in front of him, right next to Kise's thigh, to avoid falling down.
"Sorry," He moves back quickly, his hand burning just from feeling the warmth radiating from Kise's body.
Kise laughs and reaches out to Kagami, patting Kagami's knee, "No need to apologize, Kagamicchi. Not like I mind it, but you're awfully polite today."
"You sound as if normally I behave like a barbarian,"
Kagami huffs and then rolls his eyes when Kise raises one of his eyebrow, which says 'Don't you?' louder than any words can. "Very funny."
"At least you're smiling now, Kagamicchi." Kise cocks his head right, for a moment looking concerned. "You haven't smiled since we woke up."
Kagami blinks, realizing that Kise is right. From the moment the maid woke them up, Kagami hasn't smiled at all. Hell, he isn't even talking with Kise properly, dodging his bodyguard's questions about his own mood or making lame excuses like 'I'm sleepy'. But it's not his fault that the guilt doesn't let him look at Kise properly, not to mention talking with him! Well, now that they are in the carriage, Kagami has to look at Kise and so far he hasn't blushed yet, a feat he is extremely proud of.
"You're imagining things," Kagami mumbles, but Kise isn't even paying attention to him anymore, searching for something in his travel bag. After a second or two, he pulls out a big book in green cover. "I didn't know you packed a book."
Kise grins in a way Kagami is very familiar with. That grin usually means they are going to have fun, and then Kagami will be in trouble but it will be worth it.
"Your mother gave it for you. It's one of the books for school and since it's poetry," Kagami is sure the groan he let out was more suitable for a baby than a young adult like him, "she thought you could start reading in the travel." Kise's smile is definitely evil when he hands the book to Kagami.
Kagami accepts the book with a scowl, thinking about all the ways he could pay Kise back. He looks through the window, hoping to see something interesting about which he and Kise could talk about but they have already left the city and are back on the main road, passing other carriages or lonely rides. On both sides of the road are never-ending fields of grass.
Boring.
"You want me to read that?" Kagami's face twist in disgust. But no, he can do it. He survived the attempt to take his life when he was fifteen, got attacked at the age of seven when he was going back home from Shutoku with his father, and took part in countless hunts for wolf and bears when their population was too big and they were roaming near villages, attacking humans. He and Kise once faced five wolves at the same time when they were going back from a festival in one of the village close to his house. He will survive reading one… two… Gods, how many pages does it have, thinks Kagami, turning pages in the book. Over four hundred pages of poems and analysis. Alright, so maybe Kagami won't survive this after all. Goodbye, cruel world. "Tell me you're joking."
"Orders of your mother, Kagamicchi." At least Kise looks and sounds like he is truly sorry. "I was supposed to give it to your in the first day but I forgot."
Then Kise does something that leaves Kagami's breathless and his heart racing. The blond changes his seat, plopping himself next to Kagami and leans his head against Kagami's shoulder. It's not supposed to be something shocking; they used to sit in similar position, with Kagami's head on Kise's shoulder when Kise was telling stories about his adventures during long, cold days on winter, looking at how flame licks timbers in the fireplace in Kagami's room. They haven't sit like that for a while though; not since Kagami realized that what he feels about Kise isn't a simple friendship. And now Kise is sitting like that, so close to Kagami, only a hair away, it makes the heir's head dizzy. If Kagami tilted his head backward slightly, he would brush against Kise...
"K-kise?" Kagami stutters, the book shaking slightly in his hands. He doesn't look at Kise, too afraid of what may happen in this closed space when no one sees him.
"You used to use me as your pillow too, don't you remember?" Kise's breath is hot, his voice too close and all bells in Kagami's head start ringing in alarm. "Read and I'll rest a little. You have a lovely voice, Kagamicchi." Kise adds after a moment and the compliment makes Kagami feel weirdly happy.
He clears his throat, seeing in the corner of his eyes that Kise's eyes are closed, but his body is tense – he isn't asleep, but is listening to their surroundings. Kagami takes a deep breath, for a moment letting himself drown in Kise's scent, before he opens the book.
"Who then devised the torment? Love. Love is the unfamiliar Name…*"
With Kise quietly listening to Kagami's every word and observing him with half-closed eyes, content and happy, Kagami thinks it's worth to get bored almost to death by those poems.
A few hours later, they arrive at the border with Touou. Kagami's throat is scratchy from reading for so long but Kise looks so happy Kagami doesn't mind spending so much time on reading something so boring (alright, some of those poems weren't that bad but he's not going to admit it; he has a reputation to keep up after all.
Kise ruffles Kagami's hair.
"That was a good ride… Later we're going to answer questions to all those poems." Kise winks mischievously at Kagami.
"Kise, have mercy on my soul." Kagami groans at the thought of having to try to understand what the writer was thinking. Stupid question. If they all knew what people thought, there wouldn't be any wars or conflicts! He curls his lip in disgust. Stupid poems.
Kiral suddenly knocks on the ceiling of the carriage, informing them that the guards of Touou are close. Finally. They have been waiting in the queue for the past hour and Kagami has been getting impatient; the guards apparently are very careful in checking all vehicles and luggage. Kagami takes the letter from the earl from the pocket in his travel coat – an invitation like that should ensure that they will be checked quickly without being asked too many questions. It's not like they are going to break the law but Kagami is anxious to finally move. He wants to be at Aomine's mansion as soon as possible, damnit!
There are three guards. Their words are drawn but clearly visible for everyone. They are dressed in long jackets, blouses neatly tucked in the pressed pants, and high-knee boots. Everything is black, save for the small red crests of Touou on their chest and back. They are night and day compared to Seirin's guards, who are accepting people coming from Touou, with their white and red outfits with small hints of black.
Kise and Kagami stands in front of the carriage; the bodyguard standing slightly behind Kagami, observing carefully everything and everyone.
"Name?" the oldest of guards asks when the soldiers come closer. They are looking quite friendly, but definitely tired. The other two seem much younger than the one speaking, with their baby fat still clinging to their cheeks.
"Kagami Taiga, with a bodyguard and the coachman. Everything is here." Kagami gives the man the letters: one from the earl Aomine and one from his mother.
The guard nods, accepting the letters. He skims the letter of Kagami's mother, but the letter of the earl holds his attention.
"You're going to visit lord Aomine?" he asks. Seeing Kagami nod, he adds: "Please, wait here. Garju," one of the others guards, a short blond man with blond eyes and an oval face, salutes. "Go for him." The soldier almost runs to the small building where guards live.
"For him?" repeats Kise, surprised. Looking at him, Kagami can see how his hand moves closer to the sword, his eyes moving cautiously over the crowd.
"There is one of the lord's people waiting for you, Master Kagami." The same aged guard speaks again; this time his voice holds more respect than the last time he spoke. Apparently being a guest of the earl makes people be nice to you. "If you let me, master Kagami, we need to check your luggage and the inside of the carriage. None of your possessions will be touched by us."
"Do as you must." Kagami waves at Kiral, who helps the guards take off Kagami's luggage from the luggage carrier at the back of the vehicle.
The whole time Kise stays close to Kagami, his body tense, hand still holding the handle of his sword. Kagami wishes he could grab his sword too, but that wouldn't be a good move. After all he doesn't want anyone to think he doesn't trust Touou's guards.
"Did your mother mention anyone coming for us, young master?"
"No. I am sure I'd remember something like that." Kagami answers, watching how the younger guard is opening his trunk and the other one is checking the vehicle, touching the seats and the floor to make sure there are no hiding places. "It's probably the earl's idea."
"That's nice of him." Kise muses, watching the guards just as closely as Kagami. From Kise's stories Kagami knows that sometimes – very, very rarely though - guards at the borders try to either steal something from the luggage or slip something between clothes, demanding the victims to 'pay' them for their silence. These two don't look like such low scums but better safe than sorry. "Oh, there he is." Kise looks at something above Kagami's shoulder.
The young hair turns, expecting… He isn't really sure who. The blond soldier, Garju, is walking towards them with a black haired man with glasses who is holding reins of a brown horse. The man is dressed for a journey in plain, comfortable clothes: a black jacket, pants and leather boots in the same colour – there is a small crest of arms of Aomine's house sewed with blue threads into his jacket on his chest. On his side hangs a slender rapier and it looks like he can use it well. He's moving with the elegance and confidence of someone knowing his worth and that he's expecting people to listening to him without any arguments.
"Master Kagami. My name is Imayoshi Shouichi. I'm one of the personal servants of the earl Aomine." The man stops a few steps in front of Kagami, bowing with respect. "My lord is sending his greetings and asks you to accept my help to ensure you will come to him untouched." He reaches to the pocket in his jacket, pulling out a letter with Aomine's crest of arms.
Kise step protectively in front of his employer and takes it from Imayoshi, opening it. Kagami ignores the surprised expression of the guard Garju. Unlike other countries, in Seirin it was bodyguards or butlers who open the letters. Such tradition emerged forty years ago when the king was almost poisoned by the ink of the letter he received. Imayoshi doesn't seem surprised of the special action, which begs a question if he is familiar with Seirin's customs and if this is why the earl chose him.
"The handwriting in the letter looks the same like in the one your parents received, young master. The crest of arms looks good too."
"Mister Imayoshi is well known in our area, Master Kagami," says the oldest guard, the one who has been talking so far, his tone apologetic. He probably doesn't feel too comfortable talking without being asked. "We can send for someone else from the earl's house –"
"That won't be necessary," Kagami says, reading what is written in the letter. There are details like how long Kagami is going to stay at the earl's mansion and how he met Kagami's parents which wouldn't be known by anyone else than the earl himself. "Everything looks good. Mister Imayoshi, we will gladly accept your help."
Kise nods and Kagami is proud that he knows why. His bodyguard will feel better with someone who knows Touou.
Imayoshi smiles in a way that unsettles Kagami. There is something familiar about this man, the way he moves and talks but Kagami cannot remember when he could met Imayoshi. Maybe in Shutoku? It share borders with Touou too and Kagami used to visit that country with his father a lot.
Imayoshi helps Kagami solve this puzzle when he says to him, "If you let me say it, it is a pleasure to see you again, Master Kagami." He bows slightly, his right hand touching his chest in a sign of respect.
Kise looks at Kagami with raised brow, curious, his whole persona asking where did Kagami meet that man. Kagami shrugs in 'I don't remember' gesture, and replies aloud, "I'm afraid I don't remember you, mister Imayoshi. I have a feeling we have met before but I can't remember when."
"I supposed you could not remember me, master." Imayoshi smiles almost sweetly and sends shivers down Kagami's spine. Aomine's employee strikes him as a person to which he wouldn't want to turn his back to. "We've seen each other at the New Year's Eve ball at Yousen when prince Himuro presented you to all guests."
Kagami remembers that. He remembers how he didn't want Tatsuya to present him as the friend of prince of Yousen but Tatsuya insisted and pleaded, and in the end Kagami agreed. Huh, no wonder he doesn't remember Imayoshi; at that time Kagami was facing over two hundred people. The man probably stood somewhere in the line of Kagami's sight which is why Kagami recognized him.
Kagami feels there is something more to the story, but he leaves it. Imayoshi sounds sincere – why would he be lying? It's probably only Kagami's little paranoia speaking for him.
"Now when you mentioned it, I do remember you, Mister Imayoshi." Kagami lies, thinking it would be more rude to say he doesn't remember Imayoshi from that ball.
Imayoshi's smiles grow wider, unsettling Kagami. He feels there is something more to Imayoshi's words.
"Mister Imayoshi," Kise starts talking, gesturing at the road, tense and impatient to continue their journey "you said you will help us with our travel?"
"Yes. We will be in the city before the night and if we leave the inn, in which I booked rooms for us, early in the morning, we should be at my master's mansion just in time for late dinner." Imayoshi tightens the grip on the reins of his horse, trying to keep the animal close to himself. "I know a shortcut to the city and can take you faster to the mansion but still safe even when we leave the main road."
Kagami sees how Kise's lips tighten into a line at the words 'main road' but Imayoshi looks confident enough for Kagami to trust him (even if his gut still yells at him to not trust Imayoshi with anything). And if they arrive the city earlier than planned then it's a good thing. The high temperature is affecting horses and it'd be in their best interest to let them rest as soon as possible.
"Do you think leaving the main road is safe?" Kagami folds his hands on his chest, looking expectantly at Imayoshi.
The man bows again before answering.
"Yes, master. There is lot of carriages going to the Korhartha and I know a route through nearby villages which will save us time and we wouldn't get stuck in a traffic jam. And we don't need to worry about being ambushed." The corners of Imayoshi's lips twitches as if he is forcing himself to not laugh aloud. "Even local muggers prefer to not anger my master."
Kagami nods at that and turns to looks at Kise. He is very, very curious about how some old earl can make people love him but also fear him so much, but decides to not mention it for now. If the earl was some fearful monster in a man's skin, then his mother wouldn't let him go to him, right?
"In case something does happen we will be able to defend ourselves." He says, seeing that Kise isn't convinced. "And then we can go back onto the main road."
Kise sighs, but his shoulders are still tense with worry.
"I just don't like to go against your mother's orders, young master, but if a trusted person of the earl says we will be safe, I am willing to believe him." If Kagami didn't know Kise better, he would miss just how much Kise doesn't like this plan: his voice was tight and falsely polite. Of course; Kise has an experience of travelling as a bodyguard and didn't he mention how once he got ambushed as soon as he had left the main road…? "Let's start going then. Unless, Mister Imayoshi, you have something more to tell us…?" Kise's tone clearly shows that he's going to be very displeased if Imayoshi wastes any second more.
"Only that my master wishes you will spend nice time in Touou. If you excuse me now, Master Kagami…?" He looks between Kagami and his horse, silently asking for permission, and Kagami nods, letting Imayoshi go. Without saying any more Imayoshi mount the horse and steps to the front of the carriage, nodding to the coachman.
"We finished checking your luggage and carriage, Master Kagami," the older guard says while the other two are helping Kiral put the trunk back into the luggage carrier. "We hope you will enjoy your stay at Touou, Master Kagami."
Kagami thinks with sadness about weeks of studying waiting for him, but smiles at the soldier, "Thank you, sir."
"Let's go then, young master." Kise opens the door of the carriage for Kagami – ugh, Kagami scowls at the resentful habit of Kise's – but doesn't walk into it after Kagami. He stares in the distance, a grim expression on his face.
"Kise…?" Kagami starts, feeling uneasy about his guard's behaviour. Sure, Kise can be angry over the change of the plans but to be this serious about it? "I will make sure my mother won't be angry at you."
"What?... Oh, no, I wasn't…" Kise sighs again, finally taking his place in the carriage. He closes the door with furrowed brows and they start moving. "I was just thinking about the last time I was here. This country is full of memories."
Right, Kagami forgot that Kise was in Touou during the Great War. Seeing how just passing the border affects Kise, Kagami can guess it wasn't the time Kise is fondly of.
"You don't like to talk about Touou." As usual Kagami doesn't have any brain-mouth filter. Kise looks unsettled and Kagami makes him think even more about sad memories concerning Touou. Great job, Kagami, you fucking idiot.
"No, I don't." Kise massages his temples, his face closing quickly. "Can we talk about something else, Kagamicchi? You could read to me some more."
"Sure, the time will pass faster, right?" No, it won't, but Kagami can't bear to see this emotionless face of Kise. He will gladly read the whole boring 'Momentum: The Poetry of Silver Age' like it is the most interesting thing in the world, if Kise will look more like his charming, happy self.
Kagami gently pries open the brittle, thin pages of the book and starts reading and Kise leans back, his eyes closed, fingers clenching every once in awhile in a fist. Kagami pretends to not notice it, focusing on memorizing the text as much as he can to distract himself. He doesn't understand poetry very well but later he will ask Kise about it. Kise, for all his protests that he doesn't know much about poetry or literature, is a genius in this field.
Slowly but surely, with each poem read by Kagami's scratchy voice, Kise starts to calm down. His hands stop moving, resting comfortably in his tights and he opens his yellow eyes slightly, looking at the window. For Kagami, there is nothing more beautiful than Kise with a serene face, illuminated every once in awhile by sunlight shining through leaves of trees they're passing, making his eyes look almost gold. Everything is so peaceful and quiet and it is just oh so easy to imagine they are together, that Kagami is reading Kise's love poems and in any moment Kise will reach to Kagami –
"You stopped reading," Kise murmurs, turning his gaze lazily from the window to Kagami. "Go on, Kagamicchi. I told you I like listening to your voice."
There is something in Kise's voice. Something about which Kagami should think because it's important. Yet, he's mesmerized by the soft look in Kise's eyes and can't even think about a reply. The atmosphere changes between them; strings of tension hide under the veil of peace and threatens to choke Kagami, even as he sits, clueless.
He clear his throat before he starts reading again and Kise closes his eyes, resting his elbow on his leg and propping his chin on his palm, content with listening to Kagami.
The words start painting picture of lovers on their first date, too shy to do as much as hold hands and who are wishing that the time would stop and let them enjoy forever their time together. Reading that, with Kise sitting so close to Kagami and smiling gently, Kagami thinks that for the first time in his life he doesn't only understand poetry but can also agree with characters in a poem.
All of this because, just like these lovers, he would pay every price in the world if the time would stop right now, leaving him in the company of a cherished person. Just he, Kise and eternity of being together in peaceful atmosphere and gently swaying carriage.
After about hour of reading Kise becomes merciful and lets Kagami stop reading. By then, Kagami's throat is as dry as a desert. The rest of the trip passes them in a blink of the eye as they play cards, occasionally peeking out the window of the carriage and catching glimpses of Touou citizens as they pass.
The very first thing that hits Kagami is similarity of the Touou's manner of dress compared to Seirin's. Both countries' population sports primarily white and brown clothes, but the pattern in Touou is different: more symbols than lines. The building are also similar; no wonder since only about two centuries ago – or was it three? Kagami has never been good at learning dates – Seirin, Touou and Kaijou were one big country. The landscape of both countries is almost identical. The view would be the same near the border… Kagami knows that if they go more to the south the land will become more hilly; the long mountain range, Informis Mountains, with a variety in heights, steepness, and ledges snuggled in the sides of the mountains, is a natural border with Shutoku.
Just like Imayoshi said, there is big crowd on the main road but roads between villages are miraculously empty. They are going to have tocover more land before reaching Korhartha but considering how many travellers use the main road they would be arriving later as compared to if they did stick to their original plan.
Kise is back to being his more cheerful self and seems to enjoy the ride. Although, he does look at Imayoshi with a cold glint in his eyes every time they catch the glimpse of Aomine's herald, who is, as Kagami hears it every once in awhile, chatting happily with Kiral.
For some reason Kagami cannot stop thinking that something bad is going to happen. There is an itch on his neck that doesn't want to go away and something is clawing at the back of his head. Their journey has been safe so far, Kise talks with him normally again (though Kagami still cannot look him in the eyes without feeling guilty), the weather is beautiful, the earl sent the herald to help them and yet… There is something in the air what unsettles Kagami. He cannot explain this feeling properly; it's the same feeling that Kagami gets when he's fighting, the tension that floats in the air when someone is about to strike. Kagami's father proudly says that Taiga has an instinct of a fighter while his mother insists that Taiga is just as observing his opponents and quickly proceeds information about them.
Whatever that is, the feeling in Kagami's gut is telling him now that something is going to happen.
"Kagamicchi, look! Golden apples!" Kise points out the window, almost bouncing on his seat. "Remember how I told you about them before?"
Kagami blinks, abruptly pulled back to the reality and he quickly presses his face to the window, a wide smile on his face. Golden apples! Kise told him about them once or twice. They are very sweet in taste and their juice can be used in medicine since it was proved to heal headaches. Since it is very hard to grow golden apples, Touou doesn't export them. Kagami remembers that citizens of Touou think that simply seeing those apples when they are changing their colour from light green to gold brings luck.
Kagami's eyes widens when he sees the apples. They shine bright in the sun looking like droplets of pure gold. He will ask Kise to buy the apples as soon as they arrive to the city. Kise said that it was the sweetest thing a man can eat. Kagami wants to check if that's true.
Only after a moment he notices the sturdy, stony fence and dangerously looking dogs pacing around the tree. Right, once you have golden apples in your garden, you should protect the trees well.
"I bet he has bodyguards too." Kise murmurs, with his cheek pressed against Kagami's; he is peering out of the window at the tree too. For once Kagami doesn't think much about it, too focused on the beautiful sight in front of him. "Do you know how much those cost?"
"This family has at least five trees," Kagami says, quickly eyeing the whole orchard. He's seeing more trees with golden apples but also somewith regular ones, both red and still green. Between the leaves he catches glimpses of a roof but he cannot see precisely how it looks like.
"I wonder if the earl has golden apples…" Kise leans back to his seat and Kagami follows his example, hoping that Imayoshi didn't notice him behaving like a very curious child. He doesn't want people to think he's still a kid. "Do you think he will treat us with them?"
"Kise…" Kagami starts, seeing the evil expression on Kise's face. "Don't."
"But I haven't said anything yet, Kagamicchi. You don't trust me?" Kise blinks innocently, pretending to look hurt. But Kagami knows his bodyguard well enough to know he's plotting something, so the heir continues watching Kise with raised eyebrow and expression speaking aloud that he's not believing Kise at all. "… Okay, fine." Kise huffs, shaking his head. "So I might have just thought about being nicer to a cook but you are already accusing me about something!" This time Kise really pouts, but he winks to Kagami to show him he's not actually hurt.
"Ha, I knew it, you womanizer!" Kagami points his finger at Kise, grinning. "You were going to seduce some poor mistress for sweets!"
"Lies, lies, I don't admit to anything." Kise drops the innocent act and waves his hand nonchalantly, sticking his nose up and puffing as if Kagami was some brat who is wasting Kise's time. "You will see, you will end begging me for those apples and I'll tell you 'no'".
"Oh c'mon, Kise." Despite all of his promises of staying away from Kise, Kagami leans forward and messes withKise's hair. "You would say 'no' to me?"
Kise suddenly pales but before he could say anything, someone knocks to the window and the carriage stops. Kise gently but firmly pushes Kagami back and opens the door to talk with Imayoshi, who is leaning towards them from his horse.
"What is it?" For some reason he's suddenly sounding more annoyed than the situation calls for it. "I thought we were not going to stop. Are there any problems?" Kise's hands, Kagami notices with a surprise, clench around the hilt of his sword. When did he put his palm on the sword…?
"I only wanted to inform the young master how far from the city we are. I apologize if I interrupted anything." Oh no, Kagami definitely doesn't like the implying tone Imayoshi used. Judging by Kise's narrowed eyes, he doesn't like it either. "We're going to ride through the forest now and then we'll be back on the main road, about two kilometres from Korhartha." Imayoshi bows his head to Kagami, but that annoying, too sweet smile is still on his lips, ruffling all Kagami's feathers.
Kise nods. "Be careful. Tap the ceiling if you sees something suspicious."
"Will do. There is still some time until dawn but it's better to be prepared. I'll excuse myself now." Imayoshi salutes to both of them and moves to the back of the carriage, his horse pacing lightly on the path.
Kise closes the door, his face stormy. Kagami forces himself to not curse at Imayoshi out loud. Somehow it's his fault that Kise's good mood is gone… but why?
"If I knew we were going to ride through forest…" Kise murmurs under his nose a litany of curses in so many languages Kagami isn't able to even count them, much less understand them. "Be prepared, Kagamicchi." Kise's eyes are cold, calculating, when he looks at Kagami and Kagami nods, moving his right hand to the sword lying next to him on the seat. "Imayoshi is right, it's not close to the dusk yet but it's better to stay focused till we're back on the main road."
It seems like good luck ison their side that day. They haven't been ambushed, although Kagami can swear he has heard something akin to a strangled cry but no one has showed up and neither Imayoshi or Kiral has used the signal to inform him and Kisethat things are going sour.
Kise looks very relieved when they leave the forest and join thequeue of carriages leading to the gate of the city. Kagami knows it's not that his bodyguard is afraid of fighting; he just doesn't like it when Kagami is in danger. If he was alone, he wouldn't be so anxious about entering the forest but since the "young master" is with him, it's a whole different matter.
It doesn't take them long to reach the city. Korhartha isn't the biggest city Kagami has visited, but it is easy to see the value of that place: the city was build on the main road leading to other parts of Touou. In case of war the enemy could easily supply their army if their base was at Korhartha.
The whole city is surrounded by high stone walls, at least a few meters wide. The gate is guarded by four soldiers in black uniforms with red emblements. Looking through the window of the carriage, Kagami can see a few soldiers walking on the top of the wall. Everything is looking very dangerous, yet after crossing the gate Kagami is welcomed by usual warm, familiar sounds and sights of a big city: merchandisers trying to sell their product before it will be time to close their pitch, citizens doing last minuteshopping before coming back home, kids running next to carriages of foreigners hoping they'd get sweets. Kagami has never been allowed to do something like that but he remember how one time in Shutoku his father gave some sweets from Seirin to kids who were observing them curiously.
Once they are in the city, they are moving even slower than before. TheStreets aren't wide enough for the carriages flooding the city and it's easy to knock into something.
Kagami is very thankful that Imayoshi booked them rooms in an inn close to the gate. He is anxious to finally leave the carriage; he doesn't like to sit for too long. And he can't wait to eat local food! Kise has mentioned –
Kagami's eyes widen. Kise. They are probably going to have a room together, right? The feeling of guilt from today's morning comes back with full force. How is Kagami going to spend night with Kise in the same room without doing anything embarrassing? Or, worse, staring at his bodyguard in not very appropriate manner?
He can always pretend to feel sick during supper and go to sleep sooner, trying to fall asleep before Kise comes back. Unless Kise insists on going to the room with Kagami, taking his meal with him.
Shit.
Getting their rooms goes smoothly. Apparently the inn's owner, Aisha, knows Imayoshi very well. She asks one of servant girls to show Kiral his room – behind the kitchen – and then leads Kagami and his two companions onto the second floor.
Like in previous inn there are two room in their suite but this time they are connected by small corridor: Kagami's room is on the right, while Kise and Imayoshi's on the left.
"The supper will be ready in about an hour, Master Kagami. Do you have any wishes about meals?" Aisha asks politely while giving Kagami the key to his room. Her smile reminds Kagami of a smile of Miss Alex when she is pleased with herself.
"No, thank you, Madam. But maybe...?" He looks at his companions, but both of them shake their heads.
"I will gladly taste local food," Kise says, smiling politely at Aisha and kissing air above her palm after she gave him his key. The woman doesn't even bat an eye at that, used to guests treating her with respect. "We will be ready to go down in hour."
"I will send someone when the supper is ready." With onelast smile Aisha bows slightly to Kagami and leaves them in the corridor in their private suite.
Kagami twirls the key around his fingers, looking at both Kise and Imayoshi.
"I think I'll take short nap before the meal. Can I count on you to wake me up in time?" Kagami asks and his bodyguard nods, looking a little irate – he's probably still angry about that ride through the forest, thinks Kagami. "I'll lock the door so you'll have to knock hard, Kise." He tries to smile.
With relief, Kagami sees how Kise smiles at his lame joke; even Imayoshi is looking as if he wants to smile.
"Of course, young master. Meanwhile I'll go to Kiral and check if everything is alright with him." Kise cocks his head right, adjusting his travelling coat, and Kagami scratches his left hand slightly. It's one of their signals: Kise has told Kagami he wants to look around the inn, to see how safe it is and Kagami has given him his permission to do that. "Mister Imayoshi..."
Kagami blinks. The employee of earl blends in with shadows of the corridor way too much for Kagami's liking; he almost cannot see him.
"My master ordered me to make sure that, Master Kagami, will not be harm. I wish to guard your door while you are resting, if you let me." Imayoshi bows down, more deeply than Aisha. When he straightens his dark eyes are gleaming, reminding Kagami of eyes of a snake. He quickly pushes the thought to the back of his head. It's not even funny how paranoid he's getting; so far Imayoshi hasn't even done anything to deserve Kagami's suspicion.
"Oh..." Seeing Kise's subtle nod, Kagami quickly agrees. "Thank you, Mister Imayoshi. Of course you can do that." He feels a bit weird that's it's not Kise's familiar presence guarding his door. "I'll see you in an hour." Both Kise and Imayoshi bow again and Kagami quickly goes into his room, locking it up immediately.
The room is of average size, with a comfortable looking big bed with fluffy pillows, a spacious wardrobe and a desk located close to the window with a vase with fresh flowers standing on it – all three pieces of furniture are made from expensive dark wood. The walls are painted a soft shade of yellow anda red carpet with a black and white fancy pattern is lying on the floor. Above the bed is hanging a painting of a bowl with fruits. There is another door in the room; it's opened slightly and Kagami can see that it leads to a small bathroom. Everything looks very clean and smells crisp.
Crossing the room, Kagami puts his travelling coat on the stool standing next to a wardrobe, sighing deeply. Now, that he's in Touou he starts to worry more and more about the entrance exams. Would he get too nervous on the written exam and don't write anything? If a sword breaks during combat assessment, will he get a new one or will they fail him? What if he won't pass exams? Gods, he doesn't know how he will look his mother in the eyes.
To calm his head, he takes off his shoes and lies on the bed, looking up at the white ceiling. At least one of his problems hasdisappeared: Kise isn't going to sleep with him tonight. Kagami doesn't have to worry about dreaming about something inappropriate and, horrors of horrors, saying Kise's name in his dream. That would be a catastrophe.
Kise is his friend. Friend. Kagami shouldn't be thinking like that about his friend! It's wrong... but damnit, if today's ride with Kise didn't make Kagami dare to wish that they were lovers even if that is not possible. They cannot be together, simple as that.
But it's easier to say that Kagami should stop liking Kise than actually doing it. Maybe... maybe if Kise goes away for some time... maybe then...
With a sigh Kagami lies on his stomach and puts his head under the pillow, wishing he could just disappear and leave his problems behind.
The supper is delicious.
The meals in Touou and Seidou are similar as expected, though not without its unique aspects. On their table sits a few things Kagami has never seen in his life One of them is white, creamy sauce which turns out to be mildly sweet. Seeing in the corner of his eye how other guests dip fruits in it, Kagami follows their example, dipping a slice of apple in the sauce. The taste of the already sweet apple becomes even sweeter, but not overwhelming.
Kagami notices that the meals on their table seems to be prepared with more care than the oneson other tables The presentation of the food more appealing; they have more choices in what to eat too. Just to name a few: three kinds of fish (with sour cream, in vinegar and fried), steaks, mashed and fried potatoes, boiled vegetables, salads, freshly baked bread, two kinds of cake for desserts (chocolate one and fruity one), various appetizers and the list goes on. Kagami thinks about the suite Imayoshi booked for them – those two rooms aren't for ordinary guests with furniture made from expensive dark wood – and wonders if the fact that they are the earl's guests makes them that valuable.
Kise, who is sitting at Kagami's right, seems to have a hard time holding himself back from devouring his steak. Well, no surprises here. Through whole day both of them have been eating only sandwiches because there was no place to stop and eat a hot dinner. They are both hungry.
Letting Kise eat in peace, Kagami asks Imayoshi about dishes he doesn't know. The earl's man answers all his questions politely, reaching for the dishes Kagami would like to try to eat. Imayoshi also manages to have polite talk with Kise – Kagami breathes with relief seeing how Kise stops being annoyed with everything what Imayoshi says or does.
Of course idyll cannot last forever.
Right after they finish eating, Kise turns to Kagami. He's looking more relaxed now than he has been the whole day, his amber eyes shining in the soft light of the candles.
"The supper was delicious, right, young master?"
Kagami nods, sipping wine from his glass.
"Mister Imayoshi, when should we start moving tomorrow's morning?" He asks, hoping it won't be too early. Now, rested and fed, Kagami feels just how exhausted he is after spending so much time in a carriage, not moving save for jumping up and down when they ride on irregular ground. He's so tired he may fall asleep quickly, if he does not let his thoughts drift towards Kise again. "You said we were suppose to wake up early, if I remember it right."
Please say no, please say no.
"That's true, Master Kagami." Imayoshi leans back in his chair, bowing his head slightly to Kagami. "We should wake up at 5 am."
Damnit. Kagami sighs in defeat.
"Alright then. Kise, can we go to our carriage? I'd like to fetch some fresh clothes for myself." Since they are going to meet the earl tomorrow, Kagami wants to look presentable. Showing up in clothes he has been wearing past few days isn't going to make a good impression on the earl.
"Kiral took your trunk to his room, Master Kagami." Imayoshi says before Kise can make a sound. "Why not let Mister Kise go to take clothes for you and I will take you back to your room?" The tone of Imayoshi's voice was polite but there is a strange note to it.
Kagami doesn't know what was wrong with what he said till Kise looks pointedly at him and shakes his head almost unnoticeably. It's then Kagami realizes that he shouldn't fetch his own clothes himself. He has people to do it for him after all. This is not Seirin anymore and Kagami has to act like a royal, not a friend of a his bodyguard. No wonder Imayoshi was surprised with Kagami's words. Also, there is a matter of trust. By saying thatKagami wants to go with Kise instead of sending Kise alone, he showed that he might not believe that staying with Imayoshi is safe.
He ignores the small part of him which agreed with the last part.
"Right, this is a better solution." Kagami stands up and his companions do the same quickly. Remembering his good manners, he adds "Tell Kiral I wish him good night."
"I will, young master." Without saying anything more Kise leaves Kagami and Imayoshi, but not before throwing Imayoshi a calculated gaze which Kagami cannot decipher.
Kagami observes how Kise is walking through the dining room as if he owns it, his trousers clinging tightly to his thighs. It's hard for Kagami to not gulp loudly, his eyes moves down Kise's beautiful back and legs. No wonder so many guests turn their head, watching Kise – he's looking like a person belonging to the upper class of society, maybe a heir of an old, prestigious family when he's walking that confidently, creating an aura of importance around himself.
"Master Kagami?" Imayoshi's voice is enough to cut through Kagami's thoughts. He turns his head to Imayoshi, hoping his expression doesn't reveal any of his inappropriate thoughts about Kise. But Imayoshi is looking as composed as always, if not a little tired. "If you will follow me."
Kagami sees a few curious people watching them, probably wanting to know more about the earl's guests, as they walk to the stairs. He almost sighs with relief once they start climbing stairs and are away from people's stares. Kagami doesn't mind being in centre of attention but only when he's showing off his sword fighting skills (only in his mind Kagami is able to admit that he likes to show off. Sometimes).
Imayoshi is quiet, but Kagami doesn't mind the silence... Wait a minute. Kagami's eyes narrow when he realizes that the only sound he's hearing is his own steps. Imayoshi is moving just as noiselessly as Kise. It's not something many people can do unless they are specifically trained for that. Kagami's hand moves to the handle of his sword automatically before he scowls at himself; he's being paranoid again. Imayoshi also wears a sword and obviously knows how to use it – if anything his build betrays that he exercises. Is it so surprising that the earl chose someone skilled to help Kagami and Kise reach the mansion? Just because there is something unsettling about Imayoshi doesn't mean he wants to hurt Kagami...
"Master Kagami?" Imayoshi clears his throat when they are in the small corridor of their suite. "Can I talk with you for a moment?"
Restraining himself from raising his eyebrow in question – Taiga, son, it's impolite to do that!, his father's voice rang in his head – Kagami merely nods, curious about what Imayoshi may want to talk to him about. Has he been waiting for a moment when they would be alone? Has Kagami been right in his suspicions about Imayoshi?
"What is it?" Kagami asks, folding his arms.
In the horribly lighted corridor, Imayoshi's face is almost completely covered by shadows, his black eyes unreadable.
"If you forgive me my insolence..." Without waiting for Kagami's answer, Imayoshi continues. "Now, we are alone, you can stop pretending, Master Kagami." Imayoshi's voice is warm and sweet like poisoned honey. He even has the audacity to brush his hand against Kagami's cuff.
Outraged, Kagami steps back, slapping Imayoshi's hand away.
"What do you think you are doing?" He growls, ready to pull out his sword if Imayoshi does anything like that again, his shoulders are shaking in rage.
Even in this faint light Kagami can see how Imayoshi's eyes are getting wider in surprise. Kagami's snarls; what was that man was expecting?! Getting all touching freely as if they are friends!
"You... you really don't remember me," Imayoshi muses, not looking an inch embarrassed. His lip is curled up in a smile, an amusement dancing in his eyes. He's almost laughing! Kagami is close to growling again. So impertinent! Oh, he and the earl Aomine will have a long talk about this once Kagami meets him! Yet, all anger disappears replaced with cold shock when Kagami hears next words: "But surely you remember the kiss at the ball in Yosen?"
The young heir freezes, too shocked to say anything. How does Imayoshi know he was kissed then? The corridor was empty...! Wait a second. Doesn't Imayoshi sound as if it is him who –
Kagami takes a deep breath loudly, sudden realization striking him. So this is why Imayoshi thought Kagami would remember him! And the whole time he has thought that, probably, Kagami doesn't want to talk about that kiss in front of Kise so he sought an occasion for two of them to talk alone.
"Y-you...!" Forgetting about his manners, Kagami points at Imayoshi, not knowing what to say or do. Gods, is Imayoshi going to blackmail him? Threaten him?
Imayoshi steps closer to Kagami, seeming to enjoy Kagami's reactions. Their bodies are almost touching and the heir gulps, remembering a similar situation happening months ago in Himuro's castle. Only then, there was lust singing in his blood. Now Kagami's blood seems to turn into ice; what would his parents say if they knew he was kissed by a man? Of course it may not matter to them at all. It's not like teenagers don't 'experiment' as Miss Alex pointed that gleefully out once, and he was drunk then! True, two glasses of wine aren't enough to make him drunk but he can always say he drank more.
"Don't worry, my silver wolf. Your secret is safe with me." Imayoshi's breath ghosts on Kagami's lips. "But I would like to ask you to keep that event as our secret." There it is, that hand touches Kagami's shoulder briefly; Kagami cannot bring himself to push Imayoshi away again. "You do not have to worry, Master Kagami, I will not try to seduce you nor I would use what happened between us against you." There is laughter in his voice like he finds this whole situation amusing. Kagami is only capable of nodding numbly, too much in shock to speak. Imayoshi steps back, that sly, small smile still on his lips. "Please, do not mention our talk to your bodyguard. He's very protective of you." Imayoshi says 'protective' in an accent that makes it clear that he'd like to use a different word. Which one, is the question. "You should go to sleep, Master Kagami. You need to wake up early tomorrow." With that Imayoshi goes quietly to his room, practically gliding over the floor in elegance, leaving Kagami in the corridor alone.
For few long minutes Kagami stares at the door behind which Imayoshi disappear. It was him then? The man who kissed Kagami in Yosen? It would explain why he feels that he has met Imayoshi before, and why his accent and his way of walking seemed familiar.
… Gods, if Imayoshi makes even the smallest hint about what happened at that ball, Kise is going to be pissed. If anything, Imayoshi was right that Kise is protective of Kagami and while normally Kise wouldn't mind who Kagami kissed (although Kagami often wishes he would), the young heir has a feeling that in this case Kise would be very, very angry.
Honestly, Kagami has to corner his friend and ask him what is his problem with Imayoshi. He doesn't understand why Kise has been so rude.
Kagami finally opens the door to his room, ignoring the warm feeling he felt at the thought of Kise being angry that Kagami got kissed by Imayoshi. By no means Kagami would like to be a damsel in distress but he feels hot at the thought of Kise getting jealous over Kagami being kissed by someone else. And, more, responding to that kiss!
Shivers run down Kagami's spine as he thought about Kise's reaction. Would Kise be throwing insults at Imayoshi, his amber eyes shining dangerously? Would he growl, telling Imayoshi in possessive voice to whom Kagami belongs? Or maybe, overcome by jealousy, Kise would want to leave a mark on Kagami? He would kiss his master silly, maybe bite his throat before sucking a hickey on it...
Kagami sighs, shaking his head. Wasn't he supposed to stop lusting after Kise? He seems to be walking in circles: thinking about putting an end to his inappropriate thoughts about Kise just to losing his head the moment he sees Kise.
Something about which Kagami was thinking before comes back to him. He gulps, feeling how his palm are sweating. Maybe... maybe he should tell Kise to go back to Seirin. He himself will be safe in the earl's mansion and later in the school's dorm. There is no need for him to keep a bodyguard. It would be easier for Kagami then to try to find himself someone else to crush on – like a nice, interesting girl whom he knows his parents will love.
Kagami closes his eyes, sliding down on the floor. He knows he won't do that, he knows he won't send Kise away. Despite telling himself how he should put the end to that... feeling for Kise, deep down he knows he doesn't want to let Kise go, he wants Kise to want him too, consequences be damned!
Is it selfish of him? To want to be loved by someone he admires so much?
A moment later Kagami hears the sound of door to the corridor opening. He doesn't hear Kise's footsteps – like always – but he also doesn't hear knocking on his door. What he hears is how Kise is opening door to his room and his quiet voice when he says something to Imayoshi.
Something heavy settles in Kagami's stomach. Of course, he didn't tell Kise to come to his room to talk but Kise had to see that lights are on in Kagami's room, signalling his lack of sleep. It is strange of him to not even say 'goodnight' to Kagami. And what about the clothes? Surely it would be better to leave them in Kagami's room, right?
Kagami hears the loud sound of key turning in the door of his companion's room and his shoulders slump. He waits a little longer, but in the end, Kise doesn't come to him to check if everything's alright, to bid Kagami good night, or even to tease him before going to sleep.
As Kagami stares at the ceiling in the dark, alone, Kagami tells himself it's alright.
Tbc
A/N: Tell me what do you think about this chapter :)
* The fragment of "Little Gidding" by T.S. Eliot.
Who then devised the torment? Love.
Love is the unfamiliar Name
Behind the hands that wove
The intolerable shirt of flame
Which human power cannot remove.
We only live, only suspire
Consumed by either fire or fire.