Kasou ~ Flower Burial
by littlemaiko
Disclaimer: Gensou Suikoden 2 and all its elements are properties of KCE. Title and original Japanese lyrics are taken from "Kasou", property of L'arc~en~Ciel. Translated lyrics and fanfiction belong to littlemaiko. Stealing is prohibited.
Note: Hisui is the name of Hero from Suikoden 2.
:: Prologue ::
Dark sky was the color of the night tinted by the moonlight and thin clouds stretched across the horizons. In the dimly lit outer courtyard of the Camelot Castle, a man stood beneath a tree. It was a magnificent cherry blossom tree in full bloom. Cool breeze of early spring carried countless petals with each gust, showering his red-clad body with pale pink pieces. Other than the rustling of the leaves and faint whistles made by the wind, silence ruled over.
Hearing soft rustles of feet stepping over fallen leaves and petals, Camus shifted his attention from the dream-like rain of flowers to the figure approaching from the direction of the castle. His dark-golden eyes fixed upon the petite silhouette of the girl for whom he'd been waiting for. When she was within the hearing distance, he smoothed back the fluttering purple mantle and gave a courteous bow.
"Good evening, Lady Nanami."
The girl gave an unsure look to the Red Knight, stopping a few steps away from him. "Good evening, Camus. ...Am I late?" Her young face turned visibly guilty.
"Not at all. I believe that you are early." Smiling down at the other, Camus took out the antique golden watch from his chest pocket and checked it. "Fifteen minutes early, Lady Nanami."
"But you were here since when?" Nanami asked unhappily, holding her hands together before her.
"It is my motto never to make a lady wait." The tall knight gave a renewed perfect smile, dazzling his only audience with a single look. Taking the opportunity, he took Nanami's gloved hand in his and kissed the beige fabric lightly. "How may I be of service to you, Lady Nanami?"
"...Well......" An adorable blush colored Nanami's rounded cheeks. She was seldom tonguetied, but now seemed to be the exact moment of such rarity. Fidgeting just a little, she took a small breath to collect her thoughts again. She had come for an important talk. "Shu plans to attack Matilda in a few days."
"I have heard. Miklotov and I will be requesting to accompany the central party." Camus nodded calmly, seemingly not bothered by the plan.
"I see... Matilda is very important to you, isn't it?" Nanami's voice shook a little.
"...It it the nation to which I've sworn loyalty, yes."
"You really want to restore Matilda... right?"
"That would be my first priority upon the war's end."
A brief break in the conversation was colored by pale-colored petals flying past the two Stars. Nanami studied Camus' exquisitely chiseled face closely, this time without turning red. Her dark eyes were intent. "I was going to have Hisui take the knights off of this mission. ...If you or Miklotov had doubts, I didn't want you to come along. Doubts cause... deaths."
"Lady Nanami," meeting the serious gaze, the Red Knight touched his hand to the girl's cheek. "I vow to you upon my sword... I have no doubts and I will not die." He knew what was bothering Nanami's gentle mind. She had indirectly caused Ridley's demise at Tinto by running away with Hisui. The guilt she felt was still immense and it was a wonder that she was able to act normally before the others.
"It's a promise." Finally loosening the tense expression, Nanami covered her small palm over Camus' hand on her face. "You and Miklotov are going back to Matilda after the war to rebuild the Knights."
"That, too, I vow. Upon my..."
"No, let's vow upon this night." The brown-haired girl interrupted with a definite smile. She slipped away from the red-clad man to approach the full-blooming cherry blossom, extending her hands into the air to catch drifting petals. "Did you know? In Highland, important promises are made under a cherry tree."
"Indeed?" Showing polite interest, Camus followed his teenage companion to the shade of the large tree. He watched Nanami in swirls of broken flowers, ceasing his steps unconsciously to look upon the beauty radiating about her person. By the appearance, he'd seen better. However, there was something inside Nanami that set her apart from any other woman he's been with. He found it a no surprise that even Miklotov, the chronic female-phobic, was drawn to this girl. She had pureness not soiled by the suffering in the war and uncompromising love for those she held dear.
"Yes. It's a blood-promise. You feed a drop of your blood and that of the person you are making promise to to a tree..." The petite girl looked up at the tree thoughtfully. "But that's too serious. We don't have to do that."
"If you don't mind, my lady..." Camus took Uriah from his waist and pulled the blade half-way from the scabbard. "We may engrave our promises by the tradition."
Surprise crossed Nanami's countenance, but she took off her right hand's glove and offered a finger to the sharp sword. There was a small prick of pain and a droplet of red puckered from her fair flesh. She watched Camus do the same, taking off his white glove and making a cut in one slender finger.
"We promise to return from Matilda safe and sound. And when the war is over, Camus will go back there with Miklotov and rebuild the Knights."
A small sphere of red fell from Nanami's finger to the massive root of the cherry tree. Camus followed her action exactly, both their motions solemn. That done, he turned to her with gentle eyes.
"It is late. I will escort you back to your room, Lady Nanami."
"T-Thank you." Averting her gaze shyly, Nanami allowed Camus to take her by a hand and lead their way back to the ancient castle.
Only the still tree and the wind remained afterward. Breeze carried the shroud of mist away from the moon, shining dim rays upon the night. Pale pink petals glowed silently in the air, filling the monotonous dark with eery illumination like butterfly wraiths.
Scattering petals Scarlet droplet Turn the unfulfilled moon Reflecting the eternal love
While eyes are wide open Body begins to decompose Vividly disappearing mind Is only left behind Unable to wait for the spring
My beloved you Merely turning cold Breaking in my arms You call from the rim of dream Just like any other day
Madly blooming night Music of the sleepless soul Flower illuminated in the dark Is the only farewell I offer
The end reached Pain of rebirth In all-engulfing earth Promise is made of dead world
Scattering petals Scarlet droplet Turn the unfulfilled moon Reflecting the eternal love
Tonight is merely a dream Gradually the eyes flutter closed
Madly blooming night Music of the sleepless soul Flower illuminated in the dark Is the only farewell I offer
Scattering petals Scarlet droplet Turn the unfulfilled moon Reflecting the eternal love
The advance into Matilda had been successful. Troops returned to Camelot on a beautiful spring midday, unnaturally somber despite the victory. Huan could be seen among the soldiers, staying close by the side of a stretcher being carried by a few men. A critically injured girl lay upon the cushioned carrier, bathed in blood seeping from her lithe chest. The leader of Jowston States' army followed as his sister was carried, his face chalky white. Behind the first group transporting the injured, the knights of Matilda marched with shared silence. Their captains seemed calm, but by close observation, one could see that both men's hands were clenched into tight fists by their sides.
Tension did not dissipate from North Window as the day passed by. Nearly a hundred waited near Huan's medical office, murmuring gravely among each other. There were tears, angry outbursts and self-torment present, all caused by the ailment of one girl whom all held dear. The tall Blue Knight stood to the back of the corridor, leaning against the wall wearily. He sighed deeply, already losing track of how many times he'd done so. His best friend had disappeared from the hall a while ago, unnaturally calm in this situation. There was no fooling a warrior's eyes. Both knights had seen Nanami's wound; it was clearly fatal, an arrow embedded right beneath the heart.
Feeling violent hotness rise behind his eyes, Miklotov quickly clenched both eyelids shut and looked down. He could hear Flik's raised voice and Huan's low return in a distance. The matter was definite now. Finding no reason to remain there or else he break into tears, the dark-haired knight slipped away from the scene of mass grief. He had to convey the news to his friend.
Camus was easily found under the cherry blossom tree right outside the Camelot's inner gate. The amber-haired knight spoke to Miklotov without turning from the tree.
"...Did she... leave us?"
"Yes." Containing himself, Miklotov answered quietly. He knew why Camus was not turning to face him. The soft-edged tenor that had spoken to him was shaking slightly. "...Camus..."
"Miklotov." Camus' tone regained its usual strength, almost cuttingly so. "We are going to win this war."
"...Camus?"
"......Then... then we will re-establish the Knights of Matilda."
The Blue Knight watched his friend's back in momentary silence and nodded. "We shall. ...I will be back in our room." Not wanting to interrupt Camus' calm grieving, the younger knight left the warm spring courtyard.
Once the presence of Miklotov had disappeared from the environs, Camus touched the trunk of the tree and pressed his forehead against its rugged balk. He was not weeping as Miklotov had guessed. With one deep exhalation, the red-clad man let go of the tree and shook his head.
"...You should have kept your end of the promise, my Lady Nanami..."
When only a soft gust of wind and whirling pink petals answered him, Camus shook his head again and left the courtyard without another word.
To be Continued
by littlemaiko
Disclaimer: Gensou Suikoden 2 and all its elements are properties of KCE. Title and original Japanese lyrics are taken from "Kasou", property of L'arc~en~Ciel. Translated lyrics and fanfiction belong to littlemaiko. Stealing is prohibited.
Note: Hisui is the name of Hero from Suikoden 2.
:: Prologue ::
Dark sky was the color of the night tinted by the moonlight and thin clouds stretched across the horizons. In the dimly lit outer courtyard of the Camelot Castle, a man stood beneath a tree. It was a magnificent cherry blossom tree in full bloom. Cool breeze of early spring carried countless petals with each gust, showering his red-clad body with pale pink pieces. Other than the rustling of the leaves and faint whistles made by the wind, silence ruled over.
Hearing soft rustles of feet stepping over fallen leaves and petals, Camus shifted his attention from the dream-like rain of flowers to the figure approaching from the direction of the castle. His dark-golden eyes fixed upon the petite silhouette of the girl for whom he'd been waiting for. When she was within the hearing distance, he smoothed back the fluttering purple mantle and gave a courteous bow.
"Good evening, Lady Nanami."
The girl gave an unsure look to the Red Knight, stopping a few steps away from him. "Good evening, Camus. ...Am I late?" Her young face turned visibly guilty.
"Not at all. I believe that you are early." Smiling down at the other, Camus took out the antique golden watch from his chest pocket and checked it. "Fifteen minutes early, Lady Nanami."
"But you were here since when?" Nanami asked unhappily, holding her hands together before her.
"It is my motto never to make a lady wait." The tall knight gave a renewed perfect smile, dazzling his only audience with a single look. Taking the opportunity, he took Nanami's gloved hand in his and kissed the beige fabric lightly. "How may I be of service to you, Lady Nanami?"
"...Well......" An adorable blush colored Nanami's rounded cheeks. She was seldom tonguetied, but now seemed to be the exact moment of such rarity. Fidgeting just a little, she took a small breath to collect her thoughts again. She had come for an important talk. "Shu plans to attack Matilda in a few days."
"I have heard. Miklotov and I will be requesting to accompany the central party." Camus nodded calmly, seemingly not bothered by the plan.
"I see... Matilda is very important to you, isn't it?" Nanami's voice shook a little.
"...It it the nation to which I've sworn loyalty, yes."
"You really want to restore Matilda... right?"
"That would be my first priority upon the war's end."
A brief break in the conversation was colored by pale-colored petals flying past the two Stars. Nanami studied Camus' exquisitely chiseled face closely, this time without turning red. Her dark eyes were intent. "I was going to have Hisui take the knights off of this mission. ...If you or Miklotov had doubts, I didn't want you to come along. Doubts cause... deaths."
"Lady Nanami," meeting the serious gaze, the Red Knight touched his hand to the girl's cheek. "I vow to you upon my sword... I have no doubts and I will not die." He knew what was bothering Nanami's gentle mind. She had indirectly caused Ridley's demise at Tinto by running away with Hisui. The guilt she felt was still immense and it was a wonder that she was able to act normally before the others.
"It's a promise." Finally loosening the tense expression, Nanami covered her small palm over Camus' hand on her face. "You and Miklotov are going back to Matilda after the war to rebuild the Knights."
"That, too, I vow. Upon my..."
"No, let's vow upon this night." The brown-haired girl interrupted with a definite smile. She slipped away from the red-clad man to approach the full-blooming cherry blossom, extending her hands into the air to catch drifting petals. "Did you know? In Highland, important promises are made under a cherry tree."
"Indeed?" Showing polite interest, Camus followed his teenage companion to the shade of the large tree. He watched Nanami in swirls of broken flowers, ceasing his steps unconsciously to look upon the beauty radiating about her person. By the appearance, he'd seen better. However, there was something inside Nanami that set her apart from any other woman he's been with. He found it a no surprise that even Miklotov, the chronic female-phobic, was drawn to this girl. She had pureness not soiled by the suffering in the war and uncompromising love for those she held dear.
"Yes. It's a blood-promise. You feed a drop of your blood and that of the person you are making promise to to a tree..." The petite girl looked up at the tree thoughtfully. "But that's too serious. We don't have to do that."
"If you don't mind, my lady..." Camus took Uriah from his waist and pulled the blade half-way from the scabbard. "We may engrave our promises by the tradition."
Surprise crossed Nanami's countenance, but she took off her right hand's glove and offered a finger to the sharp sword. There was a small prick of pain and a droplet of red puckered from her fair flesh. She watched Camus do the same, taking off his white glove and making a cut in one slender finger.
"We promise to return from Matilda safe and sound. And when the war is over, Camus will go back there with Miklotov and rebuild the Knights."
A small sphere of red fell from Nanami's finger to the massive root of the cherry tree. Camus followed her action exactly, both their motions solemn. That done, he turned to her with gentle eyes.
"It is late. I will escort you back to your room, Lady Nanami."
"T-Thank you." Averting her gaze shyly, Nanami allowed Camus to take her by a hand and lead their way back to the ancient castle.
Only the still tree and the wind remained afterward. Breeze carried the shroud of mist away from the moon, shining dim rays upon the night. Pale pink petals glowed silently in the air, filling the monotonous dark with eery illumination like butterfly wraiths.
Scattering petals Scarlet droplet Turn the unfulfilled moon Reflecting the eternal love
While eyes are wide open Body begins to decompose Vividly disappearing mind Is only left behind Unable to wait for the spring
My beloved you Merely turning cold Breaking in my arms You call from the rim of dream Just like any other day
Madly blooming night Music of the sleepless soul Flower illuminated in the dark Is the only farewell I offer
The end reached Pain of rebirth In all-engulfing earth Promise is made of dead world
Scattering petals Scarlet droplet Turn the unfulfilled moon Reflecting the eternal love
Tonight is merely a dream Gradually the eyes flutter closed
Madly blooming night Music of the sleepless soul Flower illuminated in the dark Is the only farewell I offer
Scattering petals Scarlet droplet Turn the unfulfilled moon Reflecting the eternal love
The advance into Matilda had been successful. Troops returned to Camelot on a beautiful spring midday, unnaturally somber despite the victory. Huan could be seen among the soldiers, staying close by the side of a stretcher being carried by a few men. A critically injured girl lay upon the cushioned carrier, bathed in blood seeping from her lithe chest. The leader of Jowston States' army followed as his sister was carried, his face chalky white. Behind the first group transporting the injured, the knights of Matilda marched with shared silence. Their captains seemed calm, but by close observation, one could see that both men's hands were clenched into tight fists by their sides.
Tension did not dissipate from North Window as the day passed by. Nearly a hundred waited near Huan's medical office, murmuring gravely among each other. There were tears, angry outbursts and self-torment present, all caused by the ailment of one girl whom all held dear. The tall Blue Knight stood to the back of the corridor, leaning against the wall wearily. He sighed deeply, already losing track of how many times he'd done so. His best friend had disappeared from the hall a while ago, unnaturally calm in this situation. There was no fooling a warrior's eyes. Both knights had seen Nanami's wound; it was clearly fatal, an arrow embedded right beneath the heart.
Feeling violent hotness rise behind his eyes, Miklotov quickly clenched both eyelids shut and looked down. He could hear Flik's raised voice and Huan's low return in a distance. The matter was definite now. Finding no reason to remain there or else he break into tears, the dark-haired knight slipped away from the scene of mass grief. He had to convey the news to his friend.
Camus was easily found under the cherry blossom tree right outside the Camelot's inner gate. The amber-haired knight spoke to Miklotov without turning from the tree.
"...Did she... leave us?"
"Yes." Containing himself, Miklotov answered quietly. He knew why Camus was not turning to face him. The soft-edged tenor that had spoken to him was shaking slightly. "...Camus..."
"Miklotov." Camus' tone regained its usual strength, almost cuttingly so. "We are going to win this war."
"...Camus?"
"......Then... then we will re-establish the Knights of Matilda."
The Blue Knight watched his friend's back in momentary silence and nodded. "We shall. ...I will be back in our room." Not wanting to interrupt Camus' calm grieving, the younger knight left the warm spring courtyard.
Once the presence of Miklotov had disappeared from the environs, Camus touched the trunk of the tree and pressed his forehead against its rugged balk. He was not weeping as Miklotov had guessed. With one deep exhalation, the red-clad man let go of the tree and shook his head.
"...You should have kept your end of the promise, my Lady Nanami..."
When only a soft gust of wind and whirling pink petals answered him, Camus shook his head again and left the courtyard without another word.
To be Continued
