Yusuke crossed the backyard of the Residence, quickly slipping inside before he could be spotted by anyone. He had accidentally dirtied his clothes while training, so he went back to get a different set. He had no intention of staying any longer than he had to, and certainly had no intention of being asked unwanted questions in the unfortunate event that he was spotted.
Not for the first time, Yusuke considered just moving all the wearable clothes he found in the Residence to the barracks, but in the end, he decided against it. No matter how much Yusuke liked being in the barracks with the guys, he couldn't help but think that his actions were forbidden. He would hate to get them in trouble and he had a feeling that once he did move all his necessities over, the arrangement would be permanent. Yusuke had no idea what would happen if someone found out the Concubine Urameshi, who never showed his face to any events or courts, decides to abandon his post as a Concubine but he bet it wouldn't be anything good.
I'll cross the bridge when I come to it, Yusuke thought firmly. He had just changed and was just about to leave when he heard a noise within the Residence.
Someone was there.
Who was it? Despite the Residence being 'vacant' since no one knew he was living there, no one was supposed to enter a Residence without explicit permission either. For someone to enter, they were either brave, stupid, or have permission.
Maybe it's the servants that were supposed to be here days ago? Yusuke wondered, except why would a servant need to sneak around the Residence like that with the barest of sound?
Yusuke was ready with his sword unsheathed when the door creaked open, yet his grip on the hilt slackened in surprise at the sight of who was behind the door. The Emperor had no such qualms as he disarmed Yusuke with alarming efficiency.
"What are you doing?" the Emperor voiced, flint-hard eyes flickering across Yusuke and his surroundings.
Oh shit, Yusuke thought when he realized he just tried to attack the Emperor of all people and quickly fell to his knees.
"Emperor," Yusuke greeted, heart trying to beat out of his chest as he willed his voice to be steady. "Thousands of apologies, had I known that you would be here, I would have properly greeted you at the entrance of the Residence."
Yusuke swallowed deeply at the heavy atmosphere and knew he was in deep trouble when the Emperor didn't tell him to rise like he normally would to. "I was at the entrance of the Residence, Concubine Urameshi. I've been there for half an hour, yet no one was here. Where is everyone?"
Yusuke couldn't help but let out a startled laugh at that, even knowing that it would only worsen the situation.
"What do you mean everyone?" Yusuke said as he stood without permission. That was a breach in propriety, which could be considered as a grave crime against the Emperor, but he was beyond caring when the pent up frustration that had been building up within the past two weeks started to rise like a volcano ready for eruption. "Only I am here."
The Emperor's eyebrows furrowed with bemusement and if Yusuke wasn't so angry, he would have laughed again. How dare the Emperor come in and ask where the servants were, when that was the question that Yusuke wanted to ask. Despite having entered the palace with no expectation for anyone, he couldn't help but felt abandoned when he was left in this vacated Residence without a single soul to acknowledge his existence and with the resounding sentiment that he wasn't wanted there.
In the next moment, the Emperor's face blanked itself of its bemusement, leaving behind only a beautifully chiseled, impenetrable marble statue.
"It seems like there was a miscommunication of my command," he said, his voice soft with a note of what seemed almost like an apology. Except Emperors were never wrong and they never apologize to anyone even if they were wrong, because being Emperors meant that they were always right. "How have you been, Concubine Urameshi?"
The title and the name both grated on his ears, and he longed to shout 'Don't fucking call me that,' but Yusuke settled with clenching his hand into a fist instead. The Emperor's eyes flicked down and Yusuke had no doubt that he noticed his tension, so he did his best to relax until his hand was only a semi-closed fist.
"Fine," Yusuke said curtly, hoping to somehow deter the Emperor from staying any longer. He wanted to go back to the barrack. He wanted to be anywhere but here. "Thank you for asking, Your Majesty," he added as an afterthought.
"I'll personally send servants here," the Emperor said when it was clear Yusuke wasn't going to say anymore.
"I said it's fine!" Yusuke said, sharper than he had intended. His eyes flashed with anger he couldn't hide as he thought, What the fuck does he want from me!? How the fuck am I supposed to go back to the barrack with people watching my every moves?
"You're angry," the Emperor said, looking over Yusuke, and Yusuke gritted his teeth to stop himself from snapping, 'No shit, genius!'
Instead, Yusuke closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. At last, he said, "I'm just tired, Emperor. I'm sorry if I come off as rude."
"What's troubling you?" the Emperor said and it was clear by then the Emperor had no intention of going anywhere until he got whatever he wanted, which brought up the question why the Emperor came here.
His mind flashed briefly to the words 'consummate marriage,' which made his heart race with panic, but Yusuke reasoned with himself that it had been two weeks since their marriage and the Emperor had long consummated his marriage with everyone of Miyako noble standing that was sent to him. If he didn't consummate his marriage with Yusuke before, why would he do so now?
He didn't visit you before either , Yusuke's mind hissed at him. So why now?
"Just… Everything," Yusuke said, vaguely waving his hand around and hoping the Emperor wouldn't take offense to his words. So far, the only thing he took offense to was the question about the scar across his eyes, but Yusuke didn't have much hope for that luck lasting at this point. "The sudden marriage, getting used to living in the palace… Just stuff like that."
Yusuke shrugged and tried to not show how much it bothered him that he had to resort to the truth, and that it felt too much like baring his soul.
"I see," the Emperor said slowly, like approaching an unknown beast. "Is there anything you need?"
"No," Yusuke said, shaking his head. "Not even the servants." He hesitated. "Maybe… maybe just send someone to occasionally stock up my storage?"
Sometimes, the barrack food wasn't the best, after all. The palace kitchen had enough problem worrying about making perfect food for the Emperor and all the lords and ladies and princes and princesses to worry about making good food for the soldiers.
All of a sudden, the Emperor's eyes narrowed and Yusuke wondered what he had said to cause that. "You weren't provided with food?"
"Well, no. No one knows I'm here, since you brought me here yourself, and I don't know my way around enough to get to the kitchen. I mean, if you draw me a map or something, I can go get the food for myself…?" When the Emperor still didn't reply, Yusuke shoved his hands into his sleeves and said tiredly, "Okay, never mind. Forget about it."
The Emperor ignored him. "Why didn't you order someone to retrieve something for you?" he asked. "You didn't bring any personal servants with you from the Urameshi Clan and wasn't assigned any maid or eunuchs from the Palace, but if you told anyone about who you are, they would have gladly done whatever you ask of them."
Yusuke let out a laugh, but it didn't reach his eyes as a bitter smile crossed his face.
"You're kidding me," Yusuke said, too tired to even try to stay respectful now. "I'm isolated, but I'm not deaf. Half of the palace wants me dead because I dared to marry you when I'm a fucking man. You think I can safely eat any food anyone brings me without a single doubt? Besides, I didn't bring anything with me. I have no money for bribery or reputation besides an empty title. What benefit can anyone get from helping me?"
There was a long pause this time, before the Emperor said, "I should have thought of your situation."
Another almost apology.
By then, the last of Yusuke's anger melted away. Maybe if the Emperor was condescending or overbearing, Yusuke could have held on to his indignance or anger, but when confronted with this Emperor that listened to Yusuke's words and asked after his well-being, Yusuke's heart couldn't help but soften.
"It's fine, leave it," Yusuke said, looking away. "I bet you were busy with the official court business and stuff."
A hand touched his chin and Yusuke almost flinched. The Emperor's grip gentled as he turned Yusuke to face him, and Yusuke let himself be guided by his hand. "You are part of my court. The Front Court is official business regarding ruling the Empire, but the Inner Court is you, my Concubines and offsprings. My… family."
Yusuke wondered at the Emperor's pause before the word 'family,' but didn't dwell on it for long when the hand on his chin extended to curl around his jawbone and his cheek, caressing them.
"I should have paid better attention," the Emperor said, his voice almost forlorn. Yusuke couldn't help but feel that he was half-talking to another person.
Mildly uncomfortable, Yusuke stepped back and the Emperor's hand hovered over the space where Yusuke's face was before falling to his side.
"Is there anything I could help you with, Your Majesty?" Yusuke asked, trying to get back on track, whatever that was.
"I'm just here to see how you have been adjusting to the palace life," the Emperor said. "Speaking of which, what have you been doing the past two weeks?"
And then, the gentle look on the Emperor slipped away, replaced by something sharper as he awaited Yusuke's answer.
Yusuke swallowed, wondering how he should answer that, before at last saying, "Before I answer that, can you promise me not to get angry?"
Yusuke's eyes met the Emperor's and if his eyes weren't sharp like flint before, they sure hell were now. "Why do you need such promise?"
"I'm unfamiliar with the palace rules," Yusuke said slowly, cautiously, "so I'm not sure if I crossed any lines. If I did, I want to ask for the Emperor's forgiveness."
There was a long pause, before the Emperor at last said, "I'll judge once I hear what you have to say."
Yusuke fidgeted at those words, well-aware that the Emperor never actually gave his promise, but the ball was in Yusuke's park now and if he tried to avoid the issue any more, it would only raise the Emperor's suspicion. "I found the palace guard's barrack and joined them without letting them know that I'm a Concubine," Yusuke revealed, feeling like a child caught doing something wrong, except worse.
Usually, Yusuke would grin and fearlessly admit what he had done, since he had never caused any trouble he would not admit to, but this was a different situation with way more severe consequence than just a scolding.
At the silence that followed, Yusuke couldn't help but feel that he had to explain himself, so he did. He told the Emperor how he came across the soldiers when he was hungry, about how he used to serve his father's army, so when he led the troop into thinking he was a new recruit and they accepted him without much of a question, plus the fact that he had nothing to do in the Residence anyway, he stuck around with the palace guards.
"Was that why you snuck through the back?" the Emperor spoke at last. "Because you didn't want the palace guards or anyone to find out that you, although a Concubine, is also serving as a guard."
Yusuke ducked his head in reply, almost guiltily, and waited for the reprimand to come. A tired sigh reached his ears instead.
"I've wronged you, Yusuke of the Urameshi Clan," the Emperor said, sounding almost forlorn, "and made you suffer needlessly in the place that was supposed to be your new home."
Yusuke slowly looked up, hardly able to believe his ears. At the sight of Yusuke's uncertainty, a small, weary smile flitted across the Emperor's face. "I've never had a Concubine who wants to serve in the palace army before," the Emperor said and Yusuke winced, "but I suppose it's not against the rules either."
Yusuke blinked in bemusement, before his eyes widened as he registered the Emperor's words. "You mean you're going to allow me to go back?" Yusuke asked, unable to hide his excitement.
At the sight of Yusuke's enthusiasm, the smile on the Emperor's face turned less weary and more genuine. "Yes," the Emperor said, watching as a wide smile spread across Yusuke's face. "However, I have two stipulations."
The glow in Yusuke's eyes slowly faded as he tried to control himself. "Of course," Yusuke said, trying to sound subservient instead of just sounding bitter. Just like how there was no free meals in the world, of course Yusuke wouldn't be given something without being expected to give something in return. "What is it the Emperor's stipulations?" he asked dutifully.
If the Emperor noticed the change in Yusuke, he didn't comment on it.
"One, you must retire to this Residence every night no matter what. You are not to sleep in the barrack with the other soldiers," the Emperor said, and Yusuke nodded, having expected something like that. Even if the Emperor didn't care, it would reflect badly on the Emperor's honor and reputation if his Concubine was so close with others.
"Alright," Yusuke agreed easily, knowing that wasn't too bad of a price to pay for more freedom. "What's the other condition?"
Yusuke hoped it wasn't too outrageous of a demand, and his heart started to thump against his chest in anticipation at the thought that, after this stipulation, he could join the army openly without having to sneak around. The Emperor nodded at his acceptance and continued.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but the reason why you didn't want to have servants was because of you didn't want anyone to find out you're serving in the palace army," the Emperor said. At Yusuke's befuddled nod, the Emperor continued, his voice softening, "Now that I'm allowing you to officially serve in the army despite your Concubine status, will you not accept the servants I offer you?"
Yusuke tried to work his jaws to speak, but nothing came out. At the Emperor's words, he suddenly felt overwhelmed. How was it that just a few minutes ago Yusuke felt the lowest of the low, worried about the uncertain future of his almost fugitive, covert existence in the palace, only to suddenly have the Emperor vanquish all his worries as easily as swatting a fly? In the span of just a few minutes, the Emperor had given Yusuke more than anyone else had given him in his twenty years of life.
"Concubine Urameshi?" the Emperor called softly, his hand reaching up to his face, and Yusuke blinked when he saw his hand came away with a droplet on his finger. Yusuke could feel his face heating up in embarrassment and quickly swiped at his face.
"Thank you, Emperor," Yusuke said, speaking through the heavy lump in his throat. "That's… more than I can ever ask for." Yusuke paused for a moment, before finally working up his courage to speak his mind. "If possible, would Emperor allow me to overstep my boundary and ask for one more thing?"
The Emperor looked at him for a moment, his hand still lingering at Yusuke's face, before nodding. "If it's within my abilities to give it to you and it won't put the Empire at risk, then yes."
Yusuke almost laughed aloud at how serious the Emperor took his request, but instead, smiled with soft amusement as he voiced his request. "May the Emperor please call me only by my name, not by title and certainly not by my surname?" Yusuke paused for a moment, before hesitantly adding, "And may the Emperor please tell me your name in turn?"
The Emperor looked at him, almost like he wasn't sure where Yusuke was trying to go with that request, which only made Yusuke smile more.
"I have no ulterior motive, Emperor, just that…" Yusuke paused, wondering how he should phrase this. "Just that I would like to be my own person, without being defined by family or status, and I thought maybe the Emperor would like the same gesture." Yusuke hesitated for a moment, before saying hesitantly – and what an odd thing; how long had it been since Yusuke felt so uncertain about anything? - "Or is that not what the Emperor wants? If I am mistaken, then please just disregard –"
"That's two requests," the Emperor said, interrupting Yusuke's rambling. Just as Yusuke was about to apologize, he said, "Yomi." His hand caressed Yusuke's face, almost subconsciously, as a small smile spread across his face. "You may call me Yomi when we're alone, Yusuke."
"Yomi," Yusuke said, tasting the name on his tongue.
The land of the dead.
Yusuke wondered if he should be worried.
I'm so happy to finally be able to call Yomi by his name instead of by his title. I'm sick of writing 'the Emperor, the Emperor, the Emperor.' Also, I'm going to update on Friday instead of Saturday from now on, since I have work on Saturday and I would rather update in the morning than at such late hours.
Thanks for reading!
