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Love Testament Chapter 10 - The Beginning
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The morning birds chirped their morning glory on the red maple tree. The dozens of them produced such vibrant and gleeful songs that could be heard from the rosy garden to Fuji's room. That was what woke Fuji up the next day. His smile was still on from last night's secretive event with 3 others.
He was glad that the previous night was enjoyable because it was since a long time that he got to behave in such a non-standard way of someone who was going to be High Priest.
Speaking of a High Priest, it struck to Fuji that the burden he would need to carry on his back was approaching soon, about 3 months in time.
Fuji frowned solemnly at the thought. He didn't want to be a High Priest, but the Council of the Peace Kingdom had chosen him since he was the only capable Sage available. He didn't have the heart to object to the title because he was grateful to them, the whole Kingdom, who welcomed his sister and his tattered state when they were on refuge.
Yumiko was also trained to be a Sage. If she was to remain and not left with another Sage to further their studies in the Healing Art, she would be nominated to be the next High Priest. Fuji had to stay behind unwillingly without his sister to study with the current High Priest. He had no choice, yet he couldn't be less than happy for he knew he had unanimous supports from the people around him.
Fuji washed his face and got dressed in nobility clothing before leaving his room. He left through the doorway and entered the central wing of the castle, where Queen Yuki's guest room was. He knew she had woken up very early in the morning. Her biological clock was set that way for a long time now.
Fuji found Queen Yuki enjoying her tea at the guest chamber with King Kutei.
"Syusuke, come here." Queen Yuki called him over with her soft voice that sounded as melodious as the morning birds' call.
Fuji walked over.
"His Majesty said in 3 nights, there will be a celebration of the midnight festival, symbolizing a royal legend of how his great grandparents met for the first time. He invited us to stay until then. It would be a joyous festivity, don't you agree?" Queen Yuki looked at Fuji with mirth in her eyes.
"It sounds very joyous." Fuji nodded before raising an inquiry. Queen Yuki did say that they should return home as soon as possible. "But will you stay until then?"
"I'd love to, but I have to decline." Queen Yuki's softened to a lighter degree that made her look apologetic. "I have been gone far too long and my Kingdom needs to know that I'm safe. Only I being there could reassure their souls."
"I understand." King Kutei nodded with ease on his face. "I'd want to rush home as soon as I can if I was to be in your position."
Queen Yuki thanked King Kutei silently.
"But hopefully you will stay to enjoy this occasion?" King Kutei questioned Fuji.
Fuji contemplated his decision and ended up choosing to return with Queen Yuki, but she had spoken before him.
"You should stay and observe this festive day. After all, it is not often for you to travel outside our Kingdom. You might as well stay as you are already out. This can be served as a chance for you to observe and learn more about their traditions."
Fuji thought again. Queen Yuki was right. He did want to witness more of this world that he called wicked, but remarkable at the same time.
"Then I will. Thank you." Fuji replied with mirth.
Fuji set off to find his friends once he left the royals. Using his telepathic bonding ability, he called forth his friends to meet up with him on a small stone bridge he found a while ago in the back of the castle.
Fuji sat under an ornate pavilion that was built beside the stone bridge. He watched the Koi fish swimming in a school in the pond. Each had beautiful patterns of warm colors ranging from deep red to pearl white.
His attention swayed away from the fish when he heard light laughter of maidens nearby. His bright blue eyes traveled to search the noise in curiosity.
He hadn't met any other ladies except for a few maids and the 3 princesses. He wondered how they were like in their personalities. He had heard stories of undeserving maidens outside his Kingdom that became to known as prostitutes.
A group of 3 ladies slowly appeared from behind a privet hedge that grew along the wall of the Kitchen house. They stopped their giggling as they spotted the Sage under the pavilion looking at their way.
Fuji began to feel nervous as the 3 ladies approached him. He remembered the one in the middle was princess Ayame, while the other 2 he had never seen them before.
"Fuji-san." Ayame politely bowed.
Fuji smiled amiably. "Princess Ayame."
Ayame smiled candidly. "What, may I ask, are you doing out here alone?"
"I'm waiting for my friends to gather. What about you? Where are you going?" Fuji inquired back.
"Ah, I forgot to introduce. They are my friends, daughters of nobility. Lady Tohru and Lady Tomoyo." Ayame introduced the one with shorter black hair as Tohru, while the longer one was Tomoyo. They all had fair complexions like Fuji and their frames were slimmer than him. "And this is the respectable Sage of the Kingdom of peace, Lord Fuji."
"It's a pleasure to meet your friends and see you here today." Fuji said, eliciting faint blushes on the Ladies' high cheeks.
"It is our as well." Ayame returned. "I did not get the chance to become acquainted with you since you arrived."
"Yes. We were all occupied at the moment."
"Are you staying for the midnight festival? It will be a lot of fun and I really want to know more about you."
Fuji was surprised. Princess Ayame was truly a candid, amiable, and sociable person out of her 2 other sisters. Fuji had met the other 2 princesses while walking around. They only exchanged greetings and didn't speak much. He found Princess Minori was the most difficult to speak to. Whenever he saw her on his path, she would give him hard glances before changing her path. Fuji really wondered if he offended her in any ways that he was not aware of.
"Yes I am. Queen Yuki allowed me to stay and observe this occasion. If there is time, maybe you could tell me more about your Kingdom? It is a beautiful place to behold."
"Really?" Ayame flared with joy. "That's great. I'd also love to know more about your customs. You are the first Peacean I've ever met or talked to."
Fuji chuckled. "You seemed to be into foreign customs."
"That's correct. I travel to new places whenever I possibly can. But until now, I only got permission from my brother to travel within the Kingdom wall. He said it is not a safe time to travel outside." Ayame's face flashed with jubilant light as she spoke.
"Is that so? Maybe you could show me around the city? I've only been to the market."
"Fantastic. How about after lunch, if you do not have any plans thought out?"
"That would be great. I don't think I have any plan yet."
Not long, Shiraishi and the rest arrived. The 3 ladies also bid their leave.
"You called us?" Sanada asked. His usual stoic façade was still there. Fuji thought it should melted somewhat since the incident yesterday's night.
"Ah." Fuji nodded and told them to sit down.
"Is this about our departure today?" Shiraishi inquired curiously.
"Yes." Fuji replied. "Queen Yuki is surely returning after lunch, but you have the choice to stay or leave."
"What do you mean? Shouldn't we all be returning since this is all over?" Jirou tapped his index to his chin in contemplation.
"We should. King Kutei invited us to stay for the midnight festival and Queen Yuki gave me permission to stay. I want to know if any of you will also like to stay as well." Fuji propped his elbows on the stone table.
"Really?" Marui's eyes danced. His smile widened.
"Awesome. I was getting disappointed that we have to return so soon. After all, it is not often that we get to be outside and we haven't enjoyed our leisure yet." Jirou sighed satisfactorily. A dreamy smile was on his face as if he was daydreaming.
"So both of you are surely staying then?" Fuji tilted his head to the side and made a cute smile.
"Yup!" Marui and Jirou chorused together.
"I should stay, too, to watch over them." Sanada said nonchalantly.
"Is that the only reason?" Fuji said in a teasing voice, which earned a glare from Sanada and confusion from the others. "I was kidding." Fuji chuckled and waved it away. "What about you, Shiraishi?"
"I need to return. I'm sure Queen Yuki will need me in my duty." Shiraishi leaned back with a sigh, but turned to give Fuji a smile. He was Chief of Defense, and after what happened, Shiraishi needed to survey their borders again for any loop holes.
"I supposed." Fuji gave Shiraishi a sad smile.
Shiraishi leaned over and placed a hand on Fuji's head. "You still have Eiji and Sanada. They will look over you when I'm not here."
"I know." Fuji murmured quiet before putting back his familiar smile.
"How did you know I want to stay?" Eiji piqued loudly. Everyone rolled their eyes except for Sanada who glared exasperatedly and Fuji who chuckled amusingly.
"I'm sure we all know you well enough." Fuji said before he turned to the 2 quietest ones in their group. "What about Kaido and Yanagi?"
The 2 exchanged glances before they looked back at Fuji and simultaneously respond. "We will return."
"Are you sure? You will miss out the fun." Fuji coaxed them further. The 2 were just too peaceful for their own good. Fuji nodded, not wanting to make the situation difficult for them, when they reaffirmed.
"I have to meet up with Yukimura. Please excuse me." Sanada said out of the blue before sauntering away. A confusion marred Fuji's face as he looked after Sanada, but his thought broke when Eiji hugged him from the backside.
"Fuji, I want to show to something I found yesterday!" Eiji exclaimed. He let go of Fuji before grabbing onto one of Fuji's hand and pulled him up from the seat. "Let's go!"
Fuji chuckled before submitted to Eiji's jubilant strength. "What is this that is so interesting, mm?"
"If you want to know, then follow me." Eiji grinned widely.
"Okay." Fuji turned to the others and said, "I'll be going now. See you all later." before headed out of the pavilion with Eiji bouncing ahead.
A perplexing look was on their faces. They left a long sigh before leaving in different directions.
"Now will you tell me where we are going?"
Eiji was still holding onto Fuji's wrist. "You will know soon, hurry."
Arriving on the steps that took them to a plateau of that looked like a grazing field, Eiji let go of Fuji's wrist and ran up the stone steps, looking back and yelling to Fuji. "Come on, Fuji."
But when Eiji turned around, his eyes widened with revelation. "Ah!"… "Ouch." Eiji fell back on his butts and he rubbed them soothingly.
Fuji heard the commotion and quickly made his way up the steps to find Eiji on the ground while 2 others stood not far from Eiji. He looked through his friend to see any injuries. "Are you alright?'
"Yes, I'm fine." Fuji helped Eiji to stand up and Eiji's eyes took in familiarity. "Tezuka-san. Oishi-san." Eiji blinked with surprises.
"Are you okay? I hope you are not injured." Oishi stepped forward and asked with concern. On his shoulder was a white parakeet. Its feather was as smooth as the ocean's surface, glistening when the sun light hit. "I'm sorry.
"No harm done." Eiji put up his hands, showing that he was alright. "And I should be the one to say sorry. I was in a hurry that I forgot to look around." He smiled sheepishly, but quickly resumed his energetic self.
"Where are you both heading to?" Oishi directed the question at Fuji. He didn't want to be rude to just converse with Eiji and forgot about the Sage standing right there.
"Eiji wanted to show me something. I have not the slightest idea of where we are going." Fuji shrugged.
"I want to show Fuji the bunnies I happened to stumble on yesterday. They are so cute and fluffy." Eiji said with delight.
"Well, I'm afraid to spoil your fun, but the ranch is close for feeding time." Oishi smiled apologetically.
"Aww. That's really bad. Ne, Fuji?" Eiji held Fuji's arm and flung it back and forth as he brooded.
Fuji smiled gently and patted Eiji's hand. "It's fine. We can see the bunnies at another time. Let's go do something else."
"Fuji-san. If you don't mind, Eiji-kun can play with this parakeet. It seems he loves animals a lot." Oishi offered. He moved the bird from his shoulder to his hand.
"Really? Ne, ne, Fuji, can we? Please?" Eiji bounced up and down excitedly as he clung to Fuji like a little child wanted something from his parent. "I want to play with that parakeet. Please?"
"Okay. If it makes you happy." Fuji placated Eiji with a bright smile.
"Thank you." Eiji quickly hugged Fuji and let go before pouncing on the little bird. It squeaked and flew away. Eiji energetically chased after it and Oishi quickly followed, calling after the bird and Eiji.
Fuji watched them go, momentarily forgetting that there was one another standing nearby until the latter cleared his throat.
"Ah, Lord Tezuka." Fuji turned in recognition. He gave a slight bow. "It's a beautiful day isn't it?"
"Hn." Tezuka looked off into distance with a thoughtful expression. Tezuka then remembered that he wanted to go somewhere. "Do you want to go to a place?"
Fuji gave Tezuka a perplexing gaze before reconsidering his thought and agreed.
They walked over to the stable not far from the ranch.
Fuji waited for Tezuka to tell him where they were going, but he figured Tezuka wouldn't say anything until they got there, seeing as Tezuka hadn't say a word since they met that morning. "Are you always so…wordless?"
Tezuka turned his head slowly around to face Fuji without any surprise. "Only if you think so." He turned back to the stable door and led out a white stallion. "Take this." He gave the reigned to Fuji and went back to get a black stallion from the stable.
"Are you going to tell me where we are going now?" Fuji soothingly moved his hands up and down on the stallion's mane.
"Are you afraid that I'll kidnap you?" Tezuka asked with his straight face, which sent Fuji into a giggle fit.
"Are you making a joke, my Lord?" The look on Tezuka's face was just too serious.
Tezuka gave Fuji a dignified glare before jumping up his stallion. He signaled Fuji to get on his. "We're visiting my nanny by the river side outside the city. Do you still want to come with me?" Inside, Tezuka wished that Fuji would still agree.
"Mhm…Okay." Fuji said brightly and hopped on his white stallion.
The 2 rode on horse back across the meadow, racing toward the river side and away from the city and the castle.
Upon arriving, Fuji spotted a few small cottages scattered in an area off the river bank. Plantations of crops and plant lives were all about lively. They got off their stallions and tied the reigns to the trees.
"This way." Tezuka took the lead.
"This is a beautiful place, so serene." Fuji commented as they passed through the cottage settlement. They exchanged greetings with the dwellers. Most of them knew Tezuka fairly well.
"My parents grew up here." A nostalgic wave passed through Tezuka. He looked around with a happy mile intact. "It used to be livelier." He looked at Fuji, who was busy looking around and breaking his smile larger at every new thing he saw to not notice Tezuka was looking at him.
"You must have a good sum of memories straying around here."
Tezuka looked around. "I do. Come."
Fuji nodded and they headed toward a cottage with a wooden bench and 2 flower pots in the front. They stopped in front of the door. Tezuka knocked and called out at the same time. "Shima-san."
Fuji heard a muffled sound coming from behind the door. "Coming."
They stood back to allow some rooms between themselves and the door. It was less intimidating that way. An elderly woman of small statute and a sunny smile opened the door. Her eyes widened with mirth when she recognized Tezuka's face. "Kunimitsu!" She opened the door wider and stepped out to bring Tezuka within her arms.
"Shima-san. How are you?" Tezuka smiled with a blush of such affection. He glanced over to see if Fuji had any reaction, but none.
"I'm doing fine. Now let me look at you. Ahh, you are so handsome." She patted Tezuka's arm happily. Her eyes then strayed to Tezuka's side. "Oh? And iss this your girlfriend?"
A twitch on the corner of Fuji's left eye contagiously twitched on the corner of Tezuka's mouth. Fuji casted Tezuka a glance of both confusion and amusement.
"No. He's my friend." Tezuka rectified.
Her eyes went round again and apologetically corrected with a smile. "I'm sorry. My old eyes must have played a trick on me. They are becoming dimmer each day, but I must say you are beautiful. Will you forgive this old lady?"
Fuji nodded shyly.
Shima invited the 2 into her humble home and provided them with biscuit, sweets, and tea--just how Tezuka liked it. She talked and shared her life from the last time Tezuka visited her to the current day.
Some times passed and they said farewell to the kind old lady and left.
"Did we bore you?" Tezuka asked as he regained the reign of his stallion.
"No." Fuji shook his head. "Shima-san is a really kind person and her life is very interesting. Don't you think so?"
Tezuka grunted.
They both got on the stallion's back. "Ne, Tezuka. Can we go up there?" Fuji pointed up the hill where bright yellow flowers grew abundantly. Little white daisies squeezed between the weed flowering.
Tezuka followed Fuji's finger up to the sunny hill. It was a perfect spot, he thought. It gave the best sight over the meadow and cottage settlement. He nodded.
Fuji rode his stallion up the hill.
Tezuka quickly turned his stallion and rode after Fuji's swift speed. His stallion came to a stop beside Fuji as he reached the hill top.
"It's beautiful." Fuji commented and closed his eyes as he breathed in the fresh scent of new spring.
Tezuka couldn't agree any less. He yearned for the wild free life on a peaceful meadow unbounded of politics and man conceiving struggles.
"We used to live like this. During day time, we go to the field and farm, and at night, we returned and our village got together for story times. It was harmonized, our village." Fuji disclosed nostalgically. His childhood was short-lived, but he cherished every seconds of it.
"Fuji…" Tezuka looked at Fuji compassionately at the latter looked up at the cloudless sky.
Tezuka wanted to reach out to comfort him, but before he could do so, the white stallion suddenly cried out loudly.
Neigghhh!!!!!
Fuji's head snapped back down to earth with frightened eyes. "Tezuka!" Fuji tried to calm the stallion. Something had apparently terrified the poor animal.
The white animal jumped up forcefully and threw its rider off it's back before it ran off. Fuji's body flew down the hill and rolled uncontrollably.
"Fuji!" With no time to think, Tezuka flew off the black stallion toward Fuji's rolling body. He caught the small body as both of them rolled down together with Tezuka protecting the Sage by enclosing the latter within his arms.
They rolled down frenziedly with the great velocity of the down hill force until they reached the bottom.
They stopped with Tezuka still enclosing Fuji and lying on top with his elbows propped up so his bigger body won't crush Fuji's smaller one. His head was bent down above Fuji's head to prevent neck injury during the downhill tumble.
When Tezuka felt they were safe on even land, he slowly raised body and lifted his head. When he did so, his eyes met with those of Fuji's surprised ones.
On Fuji's face was a deep flush of the sun-set color. His blue eyes fixed on Tezuka's.
Tezuka's eyes searched Fuji's face and stopped at Fuji's lips where they are parted as every breath was taken in and exerted out heavily.
Insentience, Tezuka's face moved closer and closer until he could felt Fuji's heavy breath breathed on his own lips.
AN: [I have edited the previous chapters. There are some small changes, but not big enough to change the whole story up until now.] Woo! It's finnally done. Is anyone still interested in this once abandoned story? I have just gathered up my thoughts for this story, but I do wonder if anyone still reads it. Should I proceed and complete this or should I move on to the next story that is posted in my profile?