Disclaimer: I do not own Magi, its story, or the characters. That right belongs to the amazing creator, Shinobu Ohtaka. I do own the idea(s) and OC's that are contained within this story. And hope that you as read respect that. Please don't use the OC's without my permission, as she has been with me since I was 6... On a different note, she and her other half are starring in another of my stories.
Author's Note: Also, I reply to all signed in reviews. Sorry to those who are guest reviewers, but do please continue to enjoy this story.
Possessive: adjective - demanding someone's total attention and love. Noun - a possessive word or form.
synonyms: proprietorial, overprotective, controlling, dominating, jealous, clingy.
2 months after Ren Kouen arrives on Samon Island
Year 1, Month 3(August), Day 12
Koumei's POV
He sat there helping fix the fishing nets as he watched from under his bangs what his younger brother was doing. He had noticed it a while ago. Or rather shortly after the incident in the village. A small smile played at the edges of his lips as he kept from laughing at Kouha's reaction to one of the younger guys approached the dark-haired girl. Their face hopeful of getting to talk to her, only to have a murderous scowl directed at them, sending them scrambling away from the oblivious girl.
It was genuinely amusing to see. Since Lunaria's arrival, he had to admit; she had come a long way and now accepted by the villagers after exposing her own 'shame' and just her general personality. One that was so open, innocent, and accepting of others. It helped a lot that she was very pleasing to the eyes with her exotic looks and mannerisms. Though Kouen had finally gotten her to wear clothes that were more... appropriate. Which had been a hell of a struggle for his older brother? Since it was not often someone could only match his stubbornness and superseded it.
Koumei had found that hilarious to no end, so had Kouha. But it made him proud to see his younger brother feeling protective... no that was not right, possessive of another person other than just the two of them. Though if he was going, to be honest, even if he did feel that way to an extent. Just Koumei would not show it outwardly. That would bring Kouen's reaction into play. Begrudgingly he had to admit he now saw why Kouen, who had met her when he was younger through dreams was so darned possessive of her. The girl, Lunaria radiated a light that drew people.
His possessiveness came from the fact that she was from another world. And she responded well to him when he taught her about everything. The way her oddly colored and ringed eyes lit up with childlike wonder at learning something new how she would gaze at him when he praised her. It was those times he spent with her that he felt the need to be possessive. Only Kouen, Kouha, and the healers were allowed to intrude. Even then he knew he glowered at them.
Koumei shook his head and dropped his gaze back to what his hands were doing as a breeze blew his shorn hair around his head. Purposely not meeting those eyes that fascinated him — making him wonder just how Lunaria always knew when someone was staring at her and would look directly at them. The silent question in her eyes mixed with genuine concern.
The sound of his brother's voice rising as he got her attention again, Koumei let a small chuckle escaped as he wondered just how long it would take for his younger brother to realize what he was feeling for the girl? And if he would go against Kouen, who he also suspected had similar feelings. Though, Koumei frowned at the thought of Kouen's feelings. It pained him that while still strong, sure, and confident in most things, his brother was fighting hard to keep Lunaria at arm's length than some. Clearly stating he was doing his job of taking care of her. Denial if he ever heard it.
Kouha's POV
All he did was watch the girl interact with the villagers. Noting how easily that had made her apart of their lives; though it had only happened after she barred herself to them — making her relieve something that she didn't understand. Her mind still not allowing her to recall much of her past. Even if she had semi-frequent nightmares that woke not just himself, but his brothers at random.
Kouha knew that after he had chased her when she fled that day that he was in some part accepting her into his small circle of people he acknowledges. Still, he was irate almost a month later at having to answer her innocent question at his comment. Feeling heat burn the tip of his ears as he watched her face morph from curiosity to shock and worry before the dumb twit asked if he needed her to heal him.
That had gotten a reaction not just from him, but Kouen who bellowed a singular word as laughter came from Koumei who had arrived at some point during his explanation. She was not like anything he was familiar with. So different from all the girls and women that he had around him at court. Hell, his sisters could never be like her. They were unable to even hold their own, even with their Djinn, in his personal opinion in a sparring match. Lunaria though, she watched and reacted. He was rarely going on the offensive except to end their little matches.
The fluid grace she showed told him that she had a lot of training. And he had seen her a few times in a small open grove in the jungle swinging around a long stick that could double as a quarterstaff for length and girth. When he had asked her how she knew even to fight, let alone use a weapon like that he had watched her eyes glaze before she hit the ground, grabbing her head. Pain etched on her face as she fought to recall something that she couldn't, putting her into tears — sending him into a panic since Kouen had been explicit in telling him that he'd be punished for making her upset or even cry.
Again he had found her arms wrapped around him as she calmed. She left his tunic wet with tears and snot. Disgusting and causing him to go into a fit again. Of which he was brought out of when she pulled him to her chest and shushed him. It was similar to what his mother had done when he was very young — causing peace to settle for a few minutes over him.
Now, weeks later, he didn't like the way other guys in the village approached her. She was under his brothers and his protection. He knew what they wanted, even if she didn't. Though now she wore more clothing that was decent, it didn't deter them. Making him want to bash heads as he scowled at them. Lunaria didn't belong to any of them; they were not worthy of her attention or a scrap of her affection. That was his.
Looking at Lunaria, he saw that he held her attention once more. Glancing in the direction she had just stared, he saw Koumei working on the nets. Wondering why she would suddenly want to look at him, Kouha looked at her pointedly. The smile she flashed him as she shrugged. It was nice to know that they didn't have to speak, to understand.
Grinning, he reached out and pushed her, sending her tumbling to the sand. Placing his hands on his hips, Kouha watched the way she looked at him in shock before her eyes narrowed. The moment she lunged at him, he danced back avoiding her open arms. Feeling smug, he turned and began to walk away from her, showing his back. Yeah, he did not want to share her attention with anyone, not even his brothers.
Kouen's POV
He sat there in his chair, listening to what was being said as he glanced out the window. He could see his brothers and Lunaria. The latter was now chasing his youngest brother with an intent. Meaning that they were 'playing' as she termed it. The change she had wrought in Kouha was shocking, even if said person did not notice it. But it caused him concern. Kouha had a single-mindedness that was not good at times. Especially about things he deemed as his. Which was part of what was being told to him at the moment?
Sighing, he looked at the young men before him. Lunaria was single, unattached and rather intriguing to say the least. He knew it well, since now that she was more open now, that she had not changed much from when she was a small child. His assessment of what she'd look like when she was a child had not fallen short. Kouen didn't want to agree with those before him. But he was just her guardian, someone he was only to protect.
It was ultimately her choice if she wanted to start a relationship or liaisons with a guy. A thought that made him frown since he didn't want that for her. The fact that she was not from their world and probably would not stay remained very vivid. That voice had asked him to take care of her. To protect her in mind, heart, body, and soul. Did that not mean her virtue as well? Shaking his head and sighing as he lifted a hand.
"I can talk to my brother, but I cannot control his actions," he said, letting his red gaze flicker across the group of boys, "Speak louder when he attempts to scare you away. Trust me, Lunaria does have a mind of her own. She will either tell Kouha to stop it or tell you all to leave her be due to lack of interest. But I do stress this if she shows no interest, do not push it. I will personally retaliate to take care of her."
His voice had dropped a few octaves as he gave them his verdict. The hope that had been on their faces was dashed as they paled. His meaning was obvious. He took his duties very seriously and didn't want to be a tyrant, though he had built that image up for the sake of being on the battlefield. But he didn't need it here. Here there were no battles to fight wars to win.
Waving his hand, he dismissed the youths. Watching as they walked out, shoulders slightly slumped and knowing that they'd heed his advice. Now with an empty room and quiet, Kouen turned his attention back out the window. He was seeing Lunaria tackle Kouha to the ground laughing. It made him want to twitch and march out there when Kouha rolled them, so he was on top and pinning her. Forcing Kouen to push the feeling down and lock it away as a low growl once more rumbled in the back of his mind.
It bothered him that he felt any stirrings of possessiveness for the girl. She was just a childhood acquaintance. He had no right to want anything for or from her. Even if she did show him favoritism, he wrote it off as respect. Again that growl echoed in the back of his head making him close his eyes and center himself.
TBC!
