A few weeks had passed and Michiru was still living in the palace with Karin and Kazune. Kazune had grown accustomed to having Michiru around and found himself at ease when he got to spend time with him and Karin. It was a feeling of relaxation that Kazune was not used to. He had only felt this way around Karin up till now. He guessed that his friendship with Michiru had grown strong.
Kazune's injured leg was also completely better. He no longer needed the cane to help him walk and he was glad. Kazune took to taking long strides whenever he could, especially on the few days Karin invited Yuuki to visit. Kazune had not been rude to Yuuki but, he did subtly remind him that he would not hand Karin over. Even between him and Yuuki, Kazune could feel a spark of friendliness rising between them. Yuuki had become less timid and would even poke fun at Kazune when he was sure that it wouldn't make him mad.
Life was looking up. Karin however, had been distancing herself from Kazune a little. He was unsure if it was because of what he'd said about them not being able to be lovers forever or because of the money he spent. Perhaps it was the fact that he was lightening in personality and getting close to her friends as well. He had to admit that he was acting quite differently from the Kazune she had met a few months ago.
Now that he was better, they had also been making plans to move out into the forest. Karin gave Michiru the right to rule over this Kingdom and Michiru drew up the contract that let Kazune and Karin be advisors to him. Kazune, of course, approved the contract and they both signed. Karin still needed help signing her name in the official script. She could read it but remembering how to write the characters was proving a little difficult for her. They were going to leave to the forest tomorrow. Today, Karin was out with Yuuki getting supplies to last the next few weeks till they had their house at least well underway. Kazune was at the palace with Michiru doing paper work to officially get the Kingdom under Michiru's rule.
"Ahh~ What a shame." Michiru suddenly voiced. "You and Miss Hanazono are going to be leaving and I didn't even have enough time to play with you two."
"You played with us plenty." Kazune said in a monotonous tone without looking up from his stack of papers.
"We had fun, sure... but what am I gonna do with you gone? Who'll be my best chaps?"
"It's not like we are going far, come visit whenever." Kazune slid over a paper Michiru needed to sign.
"Nee, when you and Miss Hanazono get settled in, what will you do next?" Michiru changed the subject.
"I am not sure, I plan to just do more research and broaden my magic knowledge. What Karin does is her business. I hope she gets to meet the wood sprites and learn more about them."
As Kazune spoke he had not noticed Michiru move to stand over his shoulder.
He felt a warm sigh on his neck and the tickle of Michiru's hair. Kazune turned quickly and was met with the violet and blue eyes that held a mischievous glint. His face could feel the warmth of Michiru's skin radiating off.
"Personal space, please!" Kazune half yelled. Michiru did not waver though.
"Isn't it a sad story?" Michiru said softly.
"What are you talking about?" Kazune said as he attempted to lean away from his friend's forlorn face.
"A lovely prince from another land falls in love with a foreigner during his travels but that love can never be. Those golden strands of hair and gemstone eyes are promised to another. It is a sad story because in addition to the prince's feelings, he also does not want to destroy the relationship he already has. Isn't this what we'd call star-crossed lovers?" Michiru spoke smoothly with a hint of pain as he lowered his forehead to Kazune's right shoulder, his hand resting on the edge of the table around to Kazune's left.
"You lied to me, didn't you, saying you had no interest in Karin?" Kazune sounded tired. His eyes relaxed and somehow did not feel anger or spite.
"I have never lied to you, Kazune-chan." Michiru replied as he lifted his head.
His hand trailed up to Kazune's chin keeping it in place, forcing him to continue looking into Michiru's eyes. Kazune began to think about Michiru's response when he had asked what his type was. His mind ran wild as he tried to avoid the inevitable answer.
"It would not benefit me to lie to you... but it seems that it does not benefit me to tell the truth either." Michiru said as his face looked increasingly regretful.
Kazune's eyes widened and his breath cut short in his throat as a pair of lips lightly pressed into his. The soft chestnut hair tickling his face and a surprisingly strong grip holding his face in place had Kazune afraid to move. He could only stare at where those two different colored orbs were covered by long eyelashes.
Michiru withdrew; releasing Kazune from his grip and standing back up is a smooth movement.
Stammering, Kazune couldn't get his words out. He was only capable of blushing and fidgeting with his hands.
"I know you and Miss Hanazono are a pair. I know you probably have no interest in me so, now that I have done what I wanted, I will forget my feelings for you. I want our friendship to continue as it has been, because I love you both dearly." Michiru said with a sad smile as he returned to his seat to finish the paper work.
"We're back!" Karin's voice rang out through the room as she and Yuuki came in.
The air was stiff. Karin and Yuuki looked back and forth between Kazune and Michiru trying to discern the reason for the stale atmosphere.
Kazune stood and briskly walked out of the room covering his mouth still blushing feverously.
Karin and Yuuki looked at Michiru who gave them a sheepish smile before returning to a neutral face.
"What happened?" Karin asked bewildered.
"Oh... heh heh... Kazune-chan and I had a little talk. He knows my love interest now." Michiru spoke weakly.
Yuuki seemed to understand because his face went red as well.
"Oh, well... it certainly is better you've told him."
"Told him what? Why does Micchi's love interest matter here?"
"Karin..." Yuuki started.
"Miss Hanazono, Kazune-chan is a lovely piece of arm candy, isn't he?" Michiru smiled warmly, leaning his chin on the backs of his folded hands.
Karin went quiet. "Oh... OH! Micchi, You've had a crush on Kazune?!" She cried pointing at Michiru nearly crying from laughter.
"Miss Hanazono... that is a bit of a cruel reaction to someone who just got rejected..." Michiru trailed off with an uneasy expression.
"I'm sorry! I am just surprised I didn't notice. Was he mean? I'll hit him for you."
"No, he didn't say anything... anyway; I told him I'd forget my feelings since he is yours."
"He still should have said something!" Karin fumed. "Yuuki, I am going to get Kazune and make him respond properly, you can stay here or go home if you'd like." She turned and went up the stairs.
"Are you okay?" Yuuki asked as he walked over to sit next to Michiru.
"I will be. I bounce back very quickly." Michiru beamed at Yuuki.
Meanwhile, Karin found Kazune sulking in his room.
"Kazune, Micchi told you how he felt and you ran and hid. That is mean."
"I'll apologize."
Karin was a little surprised by how easily Kazune agreed to right his misstep.
"I just want some time to myself..."
"Why? Don't tell me, you like him back?" Karin said with a sly grin while creeping up behind Kazune.
"No! He just...surprised me kissing me out of the blue like that."
Karin stopped in her tracks.
"He kissed you?! Like, on the lips kiss?" Her voice sounded too happy for Kazune's liking. Furthermore, he wouldn't have said anything if he'd known Michiru hadn't already told her.
Kazune didn't answer; he just blushed again and touched his bottom lip.
Karin's arms wrapped around Kazune's shoulders as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"I find it funny how meek you become in front of Micchi. The bold and daring Kazune I know just melts away. But, that is not the image you like me to see of you, right?"
"Michiru is an amazing person to me... he is an enigma, he is the only person whom I cannot tell what they are thinking or what mood they are in. Not only that but as slender as he is, he has a very strong grip. I have never met someone I feared and aspired to be like." Kazune spoke truthfully with a bit of shame.
"Gosh, Kazune, don't keep trying to make yourself even more powerful. You're fine as is. You can better your skills, you can learn new things but you are not Micchi. If you were, I would have no interest in you anymore." Karin's voice sounded like she was tired of him always trying to challenge everyone.
"Thanks..." Kazune stood up and faced Karin. "Heh, we've both captured the hearts of governors."
"Mine was different!" Kari yelled. "Jin didn't like me earnestly; he treated me like a sex slave!" Karin stopped and seemed to be imagining if Kazune had to play slave to Michiru. She got a bit giddy at that thought and a gross smile plastered itself across her face.
"I'll ignore that face. I am ready to talk to him now."
"Good." Karin said as she turned to the door. The door handle clicked and Michiru stuck his face in.
"Apology accepted, Kazune-chan!" Michiru smiled brightly before striding into the room and picking up Karin and Kazune in each of his arms, pulling them into a hug.
"You are the worst eavesdropper!" Kazune yelled.
"Yes but that is what chums do."
"No it's not!"
Yuuki stood quietly in the doorway watching the scene unfold before him. The three of them were certainly interesting; there never was a dull moment. He hoped that he could be part of it one day.
