A Boshi twins fic
for the August 2000
fyfanfiction ml challenge
Part 2Note: A little background on Basara. From what I understood when I read the summary of the twin's novel, the group planned on taking down the "gaijin general" although I'm not 100% sure if it's really Nakago they wanted to take down. Maybe it's actually the Emperor. Well, whatever the actual reason is, I'm using the first one for this story. We all know how the people of Kutou feel about the Hins so I'm following that line of reasoning.
The inner city was bustling as usual. The shouts of hawkers and street vendors mingled with the general babble of the people walking around the main square.
Koutoku was sitting on a wooden crate beside one of the market stalls while Shunkaku craned his neck this way and that.
"I don't understand it! They should've been here by now!"
Koutoku frowned. "Maybe we should have just gone back to your camp with Touka."
Shunkaku shook his head. "No. You don't understand. Tetsusou won't hear of it. No one is allowed to leave Basara and I'm no exception. Don't worry, Touka will keep her word." Taking one last look around, he let out an irritation sigh then sat down beside his brother. "Dammit! Where the hell are they?"
"Maybe they'll attack from behind. Why don't we go to the palace's south gate?"
"No. It's not like Tetsusou to suddenly change his plans. Besides, we've been planning this for months. There shouldn't be any problem."
Koutoku shrugged. "Well, I guess we've no choice but to go directly to the palace."
Shunkaku grew still. He knew it was inevitable but he couldn't help but feel anxious. He nodded slowly in agreement. "Alright."
Koutoku stood up and began to make his way to through the crowd. Shunkaku followed reluctantly, lagging a short distance behind.
This has got the be the most goddamn stupid thing I ever did in my life! he thought as his eyes went to the great walls that separated the palace from the city. His eyes went to his brother. Aniki…
As if reading his thoughts, Koutoku turned to look back at him. He motioned for Shunkaku to hurry up. The palace gates loomed in front of them.
Shunkaku stopped walking but Koutoku walked right up to the palace guards.
"Please sir, let us through. We need to speak to the Shogun."
The bigger guard eyed him with a scowl . "Are you playing stupid or just plain foolish? You think I'd let you in just because you asked me to? The Shogun doesn't just speak to anybody, let alone two scraggly kids?"
Shunkaku's hands tightened into fists. "Don't talk to my brother like that you moron!" he said hotly.
Koutoku turned back to him, shooting him a look that warned him to be quiet.
The guard's face clouded over for a moment. Koutoku held his breath. Then to his surprise, the man burst out laughing.
"Well, aren't you a plucky one?" the man said to Shunkaku. "Do you know I could gut you like a fish, just like that?" the soldier snapped his finger for emphasis. "You better watch your mouth around here."
Shunkaku just glared at him.
The man turned to Koutoku. "You better keep a leash on your brother or he'll get you two into big trouble."
Koutoku bowed apologetically. "Gomenasai. But please sir, it's important. We're not here to ask a favor from the Shogun. We're here to bring him an important message."
The guard shot his companion a look. The other guard shrugged his shoulder in response and leaned back against the wall, disinterested.
The guard sighed. "Alright kid, but I'm not promising you anything. I doubt he'll see you but it won't hurt to try. Follow me."
"A-arigatou!" said Koutoku. He looked back at his brother and grinned.
Shunkaku merely shot the guard an evil look.
"You're too hot-headed!" Koutoku whispered to his brother as he fell into step beside him.
Shunkaku just shrugged. Being inside the palace made him uneasy. They followed the guard in silence as they were led into what appears to be a maze of gardens. Koutoku looked around with eyes round as saucers while Shunkaku sulked. They passed a huge temple with images of dragons carved onto the two giant pillars in front of its huge double doors.
"Seiryuu's Temple…" Shunkaku heard his brother whisper. He glanced over at Koutoku who was staring at the fearsome images with a look of reverence.
Shunkaku shivered. "Hurry up, aniki," he said pointing to the guard who was already some distance ahead of them.
Koutoku snapped out of his trance. He picked up his pace and caught up with his brother. "Did you feel than Shun? It was amazing wasn't it! Like a rush of energy. I can't believe we were actually standing outside the shrine of Seiryuu. It was unbelievable!"
He stopped talking enthusiastically long enough to look at his brother's face which he found was set with a grim expression.
"Oh," he said, suddenly growing quiet. "You didn't feel it?"
Shunkaku didn't answer.
Koutoku patted him on the back. "Don't worry. Your powers should manifest itself soon enough. I just know it."
"Alright…" Shunkaku managed to reply, not at all happy at his brother's words. He glanced up to see the guard turn and enter a wide corridor that faced the gardens, stopping in front of a door with two sentries standing at both sides. The palace guard turned to look at them and motioned for them to hurry up.
"Stay here," the guard said as they walked up to him. He nodded to the two other guards and they opened the door for him.
As the guard disappeared inside the room, Shunkaku turned to his brother, "Aniki, what do you plan to do?"
"Don't worry. I'll take care of everything. Just leave it to me," said Koutoku. They both turned as the guard re-appeared at the door. There was a look of amazement in his face.
"The Shogun wishes to see the Seiryuu seishi Amiboshi, immediately."
Koutoku gaped at the man. "How did…how did he know?"
"Go on," hissed Shunkaku, giving his brother a little push. "I'll wait for you here."
"H-hai," said Koutoku, quickly following the guard as he entered the room once more. Then he stopped. "What about you, Shun-kun? Come in with me. You're also a…"
"NO," Shunkaku said abruptly, cutting him off. Koutoku gave him a puzzled look and he lowered his voice. "I mean...you go ahead. I'm no good with talking," he added lamely.
Koutoku gave him a long, measuring look, nodded then disappeared inside the room.
Shunkaku let out a small sigh of relief. That was close, he thought as he leaned back against a pillar and began to wait for his brother.
