Kasou ~ Flower Burial

by littlemaiko





Disclaimer: Gensou Suikoden 2 and all its elements are properties of KCE. Title is taken from "Kasou", property of L'arc~en~Ciel. Stealing is prohibited.

Note: Hisui is the name of Hero from Suikoden 2.



:: Chapter 6 ::





The white steed trotted across the greenery at a mild pace, its journey hurried but not with a grave urgence. Warm light of the high sun shone upon the travelers, the weather typical of a mid-spring day. Southwestward journey from Matilda to North Window took three days even at this pace, and Nanami's health was on a steady decline.

"Shall we take a rest, my lady?" Camus looked into the face of the girl who was saddled before him, resting against his chest. She had been sitting like that for a while now, similarly to one who was suffering quietly from motion sickness.

"How far is Camelot from here?" Straightening with effort, Nanami asked weakly. She checked her right hand to make sure that the beige glove was free of bloodstain. She had not had the chance to change the bandage on her index finger since the morning. Her hand felt cold now, most of its blood having dripped out of the small nick.

"It is about half a day's journey away."

"...May we rest, then, Camus?"

"Of course." With a smile, the Red Knight maneuvered his horse to the side of the path. There were few trees here and there, sparsely growing off of the grassy ground. He stopped under one large oak tree and slid off the saddle, helping Nanami off as well. He knew that Nanami was extremely ill; his instinct told him that something unnatural and grave was at play upon the petite teenager. Even though he wanted to head for Muse to show Nanami to Huan, he also felt the desperation from the girl, that they had to get to the Camelot before something became too late.

//If only I could fathom what would be too late.//

Camus studied Nanami's pale face for a moment before sitting down against the thick tree trunk and the roots. Faint aroma of cherry blossom surrounded them as he let the lithe body lean against him to the side. By now, he could tell that the scent was coming directly from Nanami rather than as a fading cologne. It was yet another mystery about her, clinging like an ominous mist.

//Cherry blossom... I wonder if that is what she wishes me to see at North Window? But the flowering season has already passed.//

"Camus."

"Yes, Lady Nanami?"

Soft chestnut-brown tresses fell across Camus' shoulder as the girl lightly shifted her position. Resting her head over the purple mantle, Nanami kept her Asian eyes closed as she spoke in a whisper.

"If someone tried to keep a promise but couldn't do it... would you call that person a liar?"

Camus raised his amber gaze to the sky and the passing clouds. "By the definition of lying, yes."

"Will you think less of a liar?" The chime-like mezzo-soprano did not reveal much emotions, but the tone was somber.

"Do you think I see Miklotov as anyone less because he broke his vow to serve Gorudo?" Feeling a small shake of the head in negative, Camus smiled in a knightly manner. "I never thought less of you for not returning with us from Rockaxe, my lady," he answered softly to the implied question.

Nanami fell momentarily silent, her slender chin tipping up to follow Camus' gaze toward the clear blue sky. "Thank you, Camus."

"You are welcome, Lady Nanami."



//...But will you forgive me for breaking the promise twice?//



Fingering the cloth of her thin glove, Nanami shifted her attention to the beautifully chiseled profile of the Red Knight. She engraved the elegant features to her mind and nuzzled her head back to the uniform-clad shoulder.

**********

The two travelers took rest at the inn at South Window. Camus had judged that the journey in darkness with Nanami in her present condition was suicidal; with the Camelot half-hour's distance away, they called it quit for the night.

Nanami looked out of the window facing north, making out the outlines of the ancient castle near the shorelines of Lake Dunan. The moon was full this night, illuminating the grassy plain in black contours. Although the Red Knight had told her to sleep, she dared not. Her consciousness was bobbing even in the waking state. If she allowed herself a respite of slumber, she would never wake again.

//Just a little longer...//

While Camus vacated the room for a shower, Nanami pulled off her gloves and re-salved her bloodied index finger. She had managed to not let her companion notice the bandage until now. She'd have to tell him everything come tomorrow, yet she wanted to put off the confession as long as possible. Hating herself for deceiving Camus, the oriental girl changed into a nightgown and slid into the bed near the window.

"Lady Nanami," the amber-haired knight returned to the room, clad in a simple white shirt and pants for sleeping. He noticed the faint smell of blood in the room and frowned; however, he was sensible enough not to comment in case it was some feminine matter.

"Camus, will you escort me tomorrow?" Turning under the coverlet toward Camus, Nanami asked without sitting up.

"To wherever you wish, my lady." Camus nodded with a smile, sitting upon the rim of his own bed.

"Thank you. ...M-may I have that jinx for good dreams?"

The request surprised the Red Knight, but he consented with the usual elegance. Going by the bedside, he leaned down and brushed his lips over Nanami's right cheek. He felt the coldness of the smooth skin, its texture and temperature reminding him of that of a corpse. It disturbed him greatly, yet the girl's dark brown eyes were open and alive, looking up at him shyly.

"...Sweet dreams, my fair lady."

"Good night, Camus." Nanami closed her eyes, not to sleep but to fight off the darkness and to savor the warmth she had felt from the peck.

Camus sat back down on his bed, turning the light of the lamps down to dim lays. He touched his lips with a fingertip, a troubled expression dressing his face.

The night crawled by, seducing neither the knight nor his lady into sleep. Silence filled the room to suffocate the two, letting time pass by mercilessly. Although every second was precious, they slipped away never to be retrieved.

**********

Sunrise stirred motions in the still room of the inn, finally allowing Nanami and Camus to give up on their pretenses of sleep. Stretching as though she had just awakened, the chestnut-haired girl went into the bathroom to get ready for the events of the day. She had no mind to visit the cherry tree in less than her best appearance. While using the water at the sink, she noticed that her fingers were turning blue and cold. Blood that had been running constantly from the small cut had ceased to flow; there was no more left.

"...I see." Nanami whispered softly to herself. At least, she had no longer need of the bandages. She put on the beige gloves and fastened the pink headband, stepping out of the small chamber dressed in her standard faded pink and green outfit.

"Would you care for breakfast, Lady Nanami?" Camus was in his knight's uniform by the time Nanami had exited the bathroom. He observed the girl's paleness, which was ghostly now. "If I may, I will take you to Doctor Huan after seeing the Camelot."

Smiling faintly, Nanami shook her head. Words almost caught in her throat as she spoke, driven solely by the obligation to advance toward their destination and the confession. "There is no need, Camus. Once we get to the Camelot..."

"...Shall we depart?" Camus sighed with concern, yet he let the girl act as she pleased.

"Yes." With a simple nod, Nanami pulled on the beige-colored cape for traveling. Her body felt light now; it was not the healthy feeling of being fit, but merely the literal loss of weight of lacking blood and life itself. She wondered if she was even alive now. Her heart beat within her slender bosom, yet in a dry pattern. Even her breaths felt empty in her lungs.

//The end. I am sorry, Camus...//

"I'd like to go on foot. Will you escort me by hand, please?"

Camus took the offered small hand, promising himself that this day was the last he would listen to Nanami unconditionally. Once he had fulfilled the promise to visit North Window with her, he would force her to go see Huan. He courteously raised Nanami's hand to his lips and kissed it.

"To wherever you desire, my lady."

"...Thank you." Nanami forced a smile to her lips. "I want to see the cherry tree."



//Please lead me... I will not be afraid if you will hold my hand.//





To be Continued