Chapter three now uploaded. Thanks for the reviews and I will update as soon as I can. :D And thank you, Deidara Luv3r for all of the support you have given me since my first fanfic! Your reviews have been awesome and inspirational! :D
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Chapter Three:
The Palace was in complete chaos. The King had everything moved and shifted to perfection before changing his mind and having it all done again. It had to be perfect when King Takahiro came. He had Nowaki and Hiroki moved to a different place entirely as they were still servants in his palace but no longer a part of his harem. For the past week he'd ignored the two he'd chosen to keep and let them live however they chose.
His mind was so focused on Takahiro everything else took a back seat. This annoyed Isaka and Aikawa, his two royal advisers. Aikawa was there to tell him when he needed to do something and make decisions. Usagi was fully aware that he could make his own choices when it came to his kingdom but she caught whatever he missed. Isaka was there to… well… coerce him into making public appearances and listen to the woes of his subjects.
Takahiro's rooms were set up in the same tower as his rooms and just a few doors away. It was going to kill him, to have him so close and yet completely unreachable. With a shrug he cast the thoughts aside and moved on what would be prepared for dinner. Takahiro's tastes ran to the plain and simple things so he had his cooks prepare a variety of foods as he liked spicy and tangy.
A glance out the window showed the burning desert sun drifting towards the dunes. His heart sped. His beloved would be here soon. Just as he had the thought he heard running steps. Curios he turned his head to the side. A silver brow rose up passed his hairline when he saw that Nowaki was running. This was unusual as the giant of a man was usually calm and collected. When he was five feet from the king he skidded to a halt and breathily said, "My Lord, King Takahiro was sighted on the outskirts of the village. It is said that he is traveling with a woman and what appears to be a young child."
Usagi's heart stopped. "Young child?"
"Yes, my lord." Usagi was unaware that he'd spoken out loud until his servant replied. He gave a nod and allowed the man to go about his duties with a flick of his wrist. He began to make his way toward the entrance hall to greet the small entourage. His footsteps, quiet as they were, echoed back at him from the high ceilings and stone walls. For the first time ever, Usagi became fully aware of how large the palace was. Hell, by the time he got to the entrance hall, Takahiro and his family would be here and seated at dinner.
He sped up his footsteps until he was just in front of the doors where he stopped to let to servants open them for him. When he stepped through, the larger front doors opened and King Takahiro was announced. With a wide smile Usagi walked up to greet his oldest friend. Takahiro's smile was also broad when he saw his friend walking up to him. Usagi did not falter when he saw Takahiro's wife step from around him.
Instead he continued until he was face to face with the man. He was just shorter than Usagi himself. Broad shoulders, narrow hips, long legs. He was on the lanky side, no doubt. But his heart leapt at the sight of his dearest friend. "Welcome!" He bowed to the other man and Takahiro did the same.
"Thank you for allowing us to visit on such short notice."
"You, my friend, are welcome here anytime."
Takahiro's smile was innocent and sweet. "You remember wife."
"Of course." It took everything in Usagi not to have the woman tossed out on her ass. She smiled and bowed, unaware of the thoughts drifting through Usagi's mind. "As beautiful as the last time I saw you."
She blushed, Usagi assumed to most men it would be charming but he found himself unmoved. "And this," Takahiro said turning around to face the third person in their party, "Is my baby brother. Misaki."
Usagi's eyes moved passed the couple to a young boy, maybe just older than Shinobu. He was short. Big green eyes looked back at him in a questioning sort of way. Emerald eyes, Usagi noted. The boy was slender, too thin in Usagi's opinion. Brown hair swept almost into his eye but did not cover his baby-face. His skin was pale and smooth, untouched by the heat and sands of their world. Usagi raised a brow. "He doesn't look a thing like you."
Misaki blushed and frowned, showing his displeasure. He bowed then, deeply. Usagi would have thought the bow to be insultingly exaggerated if it wasn't for the naivety showing clearly in everything the kid did. When Misaki straightened Usagi inclined his head then brushed off the boy and the woman once again facing his friend and love. "Come, I'll show you where you and your wife will be staying and have another room prepared for the boy." He placed a cool hand on top of one of Takahiro's shoulders and led the way, leaving servants to deal with what luggage and things they'd brought with them.
OOOOOOOO
Later, they sat at a long table filled with dishes. Usagi sat at the head of the table with Takahiro on his right, his wife next to him and Misaki sat to the Lord's left. Thus far most of the conversation had been casual and Usagi was leading it by asking questions. The laughter was light and airy as was the atmosphere. Until Takahiro looked at his wife, love shining in his eyes, and turned back to Usagi with a heartbreaking smile on his face. "We have news."
"So your letter said. You were quite vague as to what it was, however."
"Yes, I wanted to surprise you." His smile broadened. "I have two favors to ask of you."
"Anything, my friend."
"My wife and I," he looked at her again, "Are going to have a baby."
Usagi had been right about two things. One: there would be an heir. Two: Hearing the news slashed his heart. The smile stayed in place as he congratulated the young couple. He raised his glass to toast to a healthy and happy baby. "And your other news?" Usagi asked, trying to move the conversation to something less painful.
"My brother," Takahiro motioned to Misaki, "Has come of age. But I am afraid that he is not getting the kind of tutelage that you and I had. I was wondering if it would be alright if he stayed here with you, and you could help him along. Until, of course, he is ready for marriage."
Usagi looked at the boy and found those green orbs staring back at him. What he saw there was unreadable and it irritated him. Something Usagi prided himself on, was reading people. Seeing into someone without them saying a word was an art he'd perfected over the years. Misaki stood and bowed again, just as deeply as he had before. When he spoke Usagi was shocked once more. His voice was light and musical with just a hint of gravel to deepen the tone. "Lord Usagi, please be my teacher."
Takahiro looked at his brother with such love and admiration that Usagi's breath caught in his lungs. If only someone could look at him with even half of that intensity. When his eyes darted back to the boy he found himself giving an answer that surprised him. "Of course."
Apparently Misaki was just as shocked because his eyes also grew round and his mouth formed an O. "T-thank you." He bowed once more, this one quick like a bob of his upper body. Once again Usagi inclined his head.
"Thank you Usagi. What do you ask for payment?"
Usagi's brows shot up under his hairline in shock. "Payment?"
"We did not expect you to tutor him for free. Surely there is something you want?"
Usagi leaned back on one and thought for a moment. His look was considering as he looked at Misaki who had just sat down. "A pot of that soup you are so fond of."
Takahiro laughed. "Done."
Usagi moved the topic away from the boy and reminisced about their past. He only spoke of things that Manami and Misaki would not have been a part of. While he spoke of these things he remembered a time when Takahiro had been unable to come and visit because Misaki had been sick. It was the first time Usagi had become jealous and he still felt a little guilty being jealous of a ten year old boy.
That night Usagi showed Takahiro and Manami to their rooms and let Nowaki show Misaki to his, not knowing where the boy would be staying. It was hard for him to sleep but not for the reason he'd thought. He kept seeing those emerald green orbs questioning him and showing… sympathy? Not knowing what the looks were for had him tossing and turning on his feather down bed. What was it with that kid, and why had he agreed to let the little brat stay here and learn from him?
When he finally did sleep he dreamed of a cat with big green eyes questioning his every movement.
