Yui followed behind Koutoku, conscious of the fact Shunkaku was behind her. She swallowed. She couldn't believe what had happened in there. She had practically thrown herself at him. 'Why do I feel this way?'
Shunkaku walked behind the two, feeling slightly ashamed of the fact that he had moved fast with her. A slight blood rush crept up the nape of his neck, making his feel rather uncomfortable and drove a pit of nothingness into his stomach, making him suddenly not feel like eating at all.
He sighed sadly. 'Have I offended her? Did I scare her by moving too fast? I wish she'd tell me what I did...I really don't want have hurt her, whether she is the Miko or not, she doesn't deserve shabby treatment.'
Yui glanced behind her at Shunkaku. She bit her lip when she saw his miserable expression. He looked so sad. She couldn't bare that.
Dropping back a bit, she began to walk next to Shunkaku. She didn't say anything for a long time, just walking next to him. She felt save and secure with him near. Sighing, she reached out and took his hand in hers. "Shunkaku, tell me what's bothering you."
Looking down at her, Shunkaku inhaled. "Please, Yui-san, I hope I didn't offend you or scare you...I...I never wanted to." Gazing at her, his eyes begged her for answers, he desperately needed to be reassured that he hadn't.
Yui sucked in a breath. She took his hand in hers and squeezed reassuringly. "Of course not! You haven't offended me at all! You've been wonderful to me!"
Exhaling a sigh of relief, Shunkaku felt better. "Okay...it makes me feel better...I was just afraid that I had..." He placed his free hand over hers.
Yui smiled. "You could never offend me."
Dropping his hand entangled with hers between them, Shunkaku returned the smile. "Good!"
Koutoku, who had been basically ignoring the sap fest behind him, finally had had enough. Turning around, he pulled Yui to the side. "Enough you two! I don't care to have my breakfast spoiled too!" He glared at Shunkaku. He pointed in the direction of the shop just ahead. "Move! Now! We have work to do! You two can ogle each other later!"
Shunkaku sighed in conceded defeat. "Very well, if that be the case, Aniki." He turned to Yui, clutching her hands in his. "We'll continue later my fair-haired maiden." Kissing her forehead, he then let her hands go and trotted on ahead to Zhao-san's shop.
Yui blushed crimson at Shunkaku's words.
Koutoku rolled his eyes. "Great. You realize you've ruined my brother now. You've turned him into a damn poet!"
Yui grinned. "I know. Isn't it wonderful?"
Grumbling, Koutoku shook his head. "Never mind. Come on. I'll introduce you to Zhao-san's wife. She can get you some breakfast while we're working."
Yui nodded and followed Koutoku into the shop. Remembering something Koutoku had been complaining about the previous day, Yui slyly stepped up next to him. "Say, Koutoku, hadn't you been grumbling yesterday about how bad it was to have a bloodthirsty brother? What would you rather have, a poet, or what he was before?" She gazed at him knowingly, hoping to corner him.
Over in the back, Shunkaku had already started getting to work ahead of his brother, which was unusual.
Koutoku opened his mouth then shut it. "Okay, okay. You got me. It's just...weird. I've never seen him like this before. Its kinda strange."
"I think it's great." Yui sighed, leaning against the counter, waiting for Koutoku to either introduce her to Zhao-san's wife. Actually, she was just content standing around.
Koutoku shook his head. "Okay." He bowed formally to Zhao-san's wife, Ming-Li. "Ming-Li-san, I'd like you to met a friend of mine and Shunkaku's. This is Hongou Yui. She's staying with us for a little while."
Ming-Li bowed to Yui. "Ohayo, Yui-san! I'm glad to meet you. Would you care to help me with breakfast?"
Yui nodded. "Hai, Ming-Li-san! I'd love to!"
Unlike when he normally assisted at this shop, Shunkaku's mind wasn't off wandering, thinking about what a great cook Zhao-san's wife was, instead, as he diligently worked, his thoughts were centred around Yui, and would be for the next long while.
'The sweetest girl, the most gorgeous creature and Seiryuu No Miko, well, not yet but I know she is, I can sense it...I want her to be mine. I'll fight every element that stands in my way. I'll even defy the sky if I have to. After all, doesn't love conquer all. Damn, do I really love her already?' He wondered, as he didn't appear to be any different than usual, as he continued to help bring items and unload from the horse drawn wagon that waited at the side of the shop.
Koutoku followed his brother and began unloading the wagon. He noticed his brother was a little distracted. He smiled at that. 'Of course he is. I've never seen him so taken with a girl before. I hope it lasts. He deserves some happiness after all that we've been through.'
Oblivious to the fact that Koutoku had an eye on him, Shunkaku continued his blissful swim in his thoughts, in the pool with an inconceivable depth. It was something he rarely enjoyed, his preference with physical based activities, as opposed to anything profound, such as pondering. This was a rare moment that he engaged in. He continued to work, but remained totally lost within the depths
of his spirit, as a warming lightening bolt engulfed his body. It was intangible, abstract, and poetic. He couldn't explain it himself.
He sighed contently, not noticing the intoxicating aroma that emitted from the kitchen, as breakfast continued to be cooked. He was far too wrapped up in his thoughts.
He swallowed. 'Love...I wonder, do I really? Is it lust right now? What is it? Is it bound to be something more than just a temporary infatuation. Oh Seiryuu, please let it be. I feel like I'm destined to not only protect her with my life, but also have her as mine. That's not selfish is it?'
Koutoku watched his brother silently. He wanted so much for his brother to be happy. He deserved it more than anything.
'I'll do whatever it takes to make sure he is happy. If being with Yui-san will do that, then I'll make sure they're together.'
A while later, once the shipment had been left off and brought in, there was a call for breakfast, and therefore, a break from work. Under normal everyday circumstances, Shunkaku would have been the first at the table, with Koutoku trying to make sure there was food left for the rest of the workers, however, this particular day was slightly different in that respect. Shunkaku lagged a bit behind the rest of the crew, waiting for Yui to join him once she was finished helping Ming-Li with breakfast.
Despite concerns that there is a possibility of something being wrong with their fellow colleagues, the bulk were extremely grateful that for once they wouldn't have to fight to get ahead of him to the table and worry about there being lack thereof food left for the remainder.
Once Yui was done, she and Shunkaku sat down last, near the end.
Yui sighed as she sat down at the table. She smiled at Shunkaku brightly. It had been fun cooking breakfast. She hardly ever got to do it, except for cooking for herself.
Koutoku sat next to the two, amazed that his brother had actually managed to curb his appetite. 'Man...he does have it bad...'
Turning to Koutoku, one of the other young men who worked for Zhao-san whispered an inquiry. "Ah, geez, what's with your brother, we normally have to fight with him for food? Is he like sick or something?"
Another young man overheard this and drilled further. "yea, what's up with that?"
Koutoku smiled. "Nothing. He's just...a bit distracted right now. That's all. Nothing to worry about."
"Okay. Well, it's great, more food for the rest of us!" another one quipped.
The first one nodded in agreement. "This is perfect, we don't have to fight him for food for once!"
"And I'm actually going to get fed!" yet another remarked.
Down at the far end of the table, Shunkaku remained distracted with his fair-haired maiden, who he immensely enjoyed the presence and company of. He did have food in front of him, but his chopsticks barely made contact with it. He instead was really interested in hearing what Yui was explaining to him.
She held a small book in her hand. She was explaining what its purpose was. "Back where I'm from, I'm just a junior high student, studying for entrance exams and one of the subjects that is tested is language." She showed him the small book. It contained various English verbs and other like things.
"Your world sounds much more fascinating than this one!" Shunkaku replied, looking more at her and this tiny bizarre object than his food.
Yui smiled. He was just so cute when he was like this! She nodded. "It is sometimes, I guess. Your world is so fascinating though! It's like walking back in a history book!"
"Sooo...you're saying your world is more advanced?!" Shunkaku asked, making a hand gesture. He then nodded. "That's cool!"
The work crew slowly began to branch off to go back to their duties.
Yui nodded. "Hai. We have carriages that don't need horses. Objects that can take an image of you...a lot of other things too."
"Carriages without horses?!" Shunkaku replied in disbelief. "Whoa, strange place it sounds like. Well, if here's like being back in history, then you might as well know, there is a civil war that's been going on for a while, as well as a pending war with Konan-koku."
Yui looked worried at that. "A war?! But...why?"
"Don't ask me why, all I know is it's been like since before Aniki and I were born." Shunkaku explained sadly. 'And I wish I knew why...' He looked over to where his brother was seated.
Koutoku finished eating. He looked up and saw his brother looking at him. He smiled.
With his eyes meeting his brother's, Shunkaku didn't say anything. They were just glazed over with a coat of melancholic transparent paint. Shaking his head to clear it, since he refused to remember why there was a war, a civil war to be precise happening in Kutou, he stood up.
Clearing his throat, he turned to Yui, "finished? Shall we head to the court?"
Yui bit her lip. Obviously she had said something that was painful for Shunkaku. Nodding her assent, she stood up and joined him.
Koutoku nodded to his brother. Quickly thanking Ming-Li, he headed over to his brother and Yui. "Ready guys?"
"Hai, Aniki!" Shunkaku replied, masking his instance of sadness that overcame him.
Koutoku nodded. "Hai. Let's go then." Leading the two out of the shop, he started in the direction of the palace.
Walking next to Yui, he made sure she was fine, then dropped back a bit. He placed a gentle hand on his brother's arm. "Otouto...what is it? What's wrong? I can tell your upset about something."
Shunkaku shrugged off-handily. He really didn't want to go into his reasons for what was wrong, but decided to anyway, since his brother had asked. "Yea, it's just I again was wondering why this damned civil war isn't yet resolved. I hadn't been thinking about it until I brought up as a warning so Yui-san would know what's happening here. When she asked why...that's when I again started wondering why it was..." He gazed up sadly into his twin's eyes.
Koutoku put his arm around his brother's shoulders. He knew just how painful the subject was. "Hai. I know. I don't think the soldiers and the generals even know why anymore." He gave his brother a reassuring smile. "But we're Seiryuu Seishi. And we have the Miko now. We can fix all that so no one else has to be hurt again."
"Yea, that'll be nice." Shunkaku nodded his spoke with a low soft tone. He attempted to smile, contrary, it appeared as a quirked melancholic grin.
Koutoku gave his brother a squeeze. "It'll be okay, little brother. You'll see. Besides, I won't let anything happen to you or Yui-san."
"And I'd never let anything happen to you. Yui-san...I'll protect her with my life." Shunkaku looked up, gazing over at Yui, who was just next to him.
"I know, Otouto. I know."
Yui fell back then, walking next to Shunkaku. She was still a bit apprehensive about walking around alone. Reaching out, she shyly took Shunkaku's hand in hers.
He smiled serenely at her touch and fell in stride in time with hers, moving in rather closely into her space. 'Yep, I really, really like her, no question about it! I just hope she'll eventually feel the way I do.'
The pair walked in mutual silence for the next few minutes, apparently appearing as though they were pointedly ignoring poor Koutoku, which in fact they weren't, it just came out as being as such.
The first word that came out of Shunkaku's mouth once the group of three approached the gate was a loose profanity. "Oh shit!"
Koutoku sighed. "Watch the language, please. And it's not that bad. You've seen guards before."
"I know! But these ones know me! I've been in deep shit with these bastards before!" Shunkaku exclaimed, turning to his brother, thus moving behind him and letting go of Yui's hand.
Koutoku sighed. "Why am I not surprised?!"
Yui shook her head. "What do we do now?"
Koutoku shook his head. "Come on. Let's go. We have to do this sometime. We'll just...demonstrate if we have to."
"Oh joy," Shunkaku quipped. "Does it mean I can't do anything to them?!"
"Yes, it means you can't do anything to them! Che!"
Yui giggled.
"K'so!" Shunkaku scowled.
Koutoku rolled his eyes. "Shut up and come on. Let's get this over with."
Shunkaku made another face at his brother, before following behind, over to the loathed guards who stood on watch at the imperial court gates.
He snorted. "I really hate these guys!"
Koutoku hoped that his brother had kept his voice down, since it would do the group absolutely no good if this pair of guards heard the comment. Pulling his brother back, he hissed. "Shunkaku, keep your voice down! Do you want them to hear you?"
Shunkaku looked warily at the guards then at his brother and shrugged non-chalantly. "It wouldn't be good if they heard?! Oh wait, they already know so what difference will it make." His tone was cool and dreadfully indifferent.
Off in a far dark heavily shadowed corner of the gateway entrance to the imperial court grounds, lurked a strange figure. Only a pair of stunningly gorgeous golden eyes glowed. He seemed intent on watching the pair of young men. He sensed a strong presence emitting from them. 'They must also be the select warriors of Seiryuu.'
His eyes fell upon the oddly dressed short blond-haired, cyan-blue eyed young lady, who sported an outfit with an improper level for the hemline of the skirt, which by this world's standards was terribly indecent. He also noted that she seemed to be close to the more vocal of the twins. Nodding, he silently rationalized, 'she's quite oddly attired, she must be the girl of the legend, Seiryuu No Miko.'
Koutoku groaned at his brother's words. He obviously didn't care if the guards heard him or not. Gritting his teeth, he shook his head. He motioned behind him.
"I want you to stay behind me with Yui-san. Let me do the talking."
Shunkaku let out a breath, which indicated his impatience and reluctance to shut-up and be good. He wanted to teach the guards a thing or two, but he couldn't, since Koutoku kept such a close eye on him. Grumbling he went back and stood with Yui. Actually, once he was back with her, he was calm and didn't quite care. He linked his arm around her waist and drew her in close to him.
Looking up, Yui moved in closer once she felt Shunkaku edged in close quarters with her. She unconsciously leaned against him. She clung to his arm tightly. Despite Koutoku's assurances that things would be okay, she was still a bit frightened. Especially with Shunkaku's remark earlier.
'What if they throw us in the dungeon?! I'll never find Miaka then! And they certainly don't deserve that! Not for helping me!'
Unaware of Yui's discomfort, Koutoku approached the guards. "Ohayo. I am Bu Koutoku. My friend and I are here to see the Emperor."
One of the stoned face guards arrogantly gazed down at the young man who approached. With a twisted sneer he remarked coldly. "Everyone wishes to see the emperor, but not everyone does. Besides which, Heika-sama is rather busy right now."
Shunkaku, who overheard this, quipped dryly, which was meant to be whispered, but it was anything but. "Yea, conducting a civil war against the people of Kutou-koku!"
Yui tensed. She grew even more frightened now that he was being confrontational with the guards of the palace. This enhanced her growing fears that they would indeed get thrown into the cold dank dungeon of the Kutou imperial court.
The first guard narrowed his eyes. "Watch your tongue boy! Or you'll be seeing the inside of a cell!"
Another one put his hand on his comrade's arm. "Hold. I know this one. He's the one that's been stealing all over town." He raised his spear threateningly at Shunkaku. "Finally decided to turn yourself in? Up against the wall."
Koutoku shook his head, standing in front of his brother and Yui. "No. Let us pass. You have no right to hold us here. We have done nothing wrong. We must see Heika-sama. Tell him...tell him he has two Seiryuu Shichiseishi waiting."
The first guard snorted. "If that's your claim, I want proof and now!"
"AHEM!" A strangely, or rather garishly attired slender figure emerged from the shadows of the dark dank corner. He slithered in a saunter over to the group. His clothes were stunningly gorgeous. He wore the outfit of Chinese Opera General. It was a blend of red, yellow and black. His breeches were hidden beneath the long jacket and the knee-high boots. His face was covered with carefully applied make-up in a strategic pattern. It was comprised of a white base, to represent evil character. There was also the presence of black, indigo and gold with a touch of red. His hair was tied back in a tight simple yet elegant pony, underneath an elaborate headdress with ho feathers.
He extended a well manicure, thin hand, pointing in the direction of the twins and the young lady. He gazed piercingly at the guards, his golden eyes shining from beneath his garish face make-up. He spoke in a soft authoritative manner. "Those three will come with me. The twins are who they claim to be Seiryuu Seishi. I sensed their chi."
The first and second guards bowed slightly. The first spoke. "Hai Chuin-sama."
Flowing past with an air of confidence, he stepped over to the young men. He gazed down at them intently. "Seiryuu Seishi, Amiboshi and Suboshi?"
Shunkaku blinked once, twice. 'Wow, this guy's good!' Of course, he didn't answer Chuin right away; he made a rather uncouth comment. "Who's the circus freak?"
The nearby guards paled. "Anou, it's, Chuin-sama, the most respected person in the court after Heika-sama!"
"Well, someone better call the insane asylum, one of the loonies have escaped."
Chuin's eyes narrowed piercingly and he turned his attention directly to Shunkaku. He continued to speak softly, with an eerie air of a calm aloofness to him. "You obviously lack manners, seeing how you're just a mere peasant."
Glaring hatefully at the new comer, Shunkaku was ready to tear his head off and serve it on a silver platter.
Koutoku placed a restraining hand on his brother's arm. Coming closer to his brother, he whispered in his ear. "Shunkaku, do not let him get to you. Are you going to let some...'circus freak' intimidate you? Be patient. Remember...we are here because of the legend. We are here to help Yui-san. Getting yourself killed will not help her."
Chuin glanced over at the older one with a dignified air of indifference. "Better keep a watch over your brother, he's liable to get into more trouble than he can handle." Turning, his hair moved over the breezed, fluttering and landing back down the centre of his back, not a strand out of place. He didn't look back, just gaze a subtle hint of the eyes. "Heika-sama will want to meet you, come."
Shunkaku snorted and randomly muttered some profanity under his breath and cursed and complained about how he hated this arrogant pretentious bastard. Following, he kept Yui next to him, linking his fingers with hers.
Yui grasped onto Shunkaku's fingers tightly. It scared her to think that he would do something so rash. That something that could hurt him. Pulling herself closer, she rested her head on his shoulder. Her eyes pleaded with him to stay with her. She was suddenly frightened that something would happen and he'd leave her. She couldn't face this without him there with her.
Meeting her pleading eyes, Shunkaku sighed and lightly touched his hand to her face. "Yui-san, don't worry, it'll be okay, nothing's going to happen..." He then added bitterly to himself. 'Okay, maybe the only thing that's going to happen is I'm going to tear that freak from limb to limb. He's just so arrogant, pretentious and full of himself!'
Chuin, catching a glimpse of the closeness between the younger of the two young men and the young lady who fit the description of the legendary Seiryuu No Miko, remarked smoothly, in the same chillingly level voice. "Save it for after the summoning."
Shunkaku just glared at Chuin's back. If looks could kill, Chuin would have been very dead. Muttering to himself, he kept the complaint below the lowest whisper, "I'd rather save killing you for after the summoning."
Yui ignored this strange man. She held onto Shunkaku for dear life. She was desperately afraid of what he would do if she let go. Walking closer to Shunkaku, Yui practically moulded her hip against his. She wasn't about to let him go. Not for anything.
Koutoku grimaced. This guy was starting to irritate him. He had no right to say those things to his brother. "Excuse me...but you seem to know us very well. We have no idea who you are. Mind introducing yourself?"
"Very well." Chuin said coolly with that hauntingly smooth air. "As the guards said, I'm Chuin, Ruo Chuin, or as you three will come to know me as, Seiryuu Seishi, Tomo. I know you because you both can't control the strong attracting presence of your chi. In addition, Seiryuu No Shijin Tenchisho has hints on all the Seishi."
"That'll be a good thing, because it'll do no one any good if the Suzaku Seishi that have gathered so far know that we are. It should remain concealed if at all possible." Chuin explained calmly, as he stopped at a pair of tall doors and rapped a pale knuckle on them. He waited till he got a muffle response. Turning to the group. "I'll be a minute." With that, he subtly vanished through the closing chamber doors.
Koutoku sighed. He turned to his companions. "Well? What do you guys think?"
Yui shrugged. She still had not let go of Shunkaku's arm. "He's...strange."
"Strange, try arrogant! Damn, his head's so swelled, it's gonna burst any minute!" Shunkaku bitterly remarked. "God I hate that freak!"
Yui and Koutoku rolled their eyes at the same time. "Shunkaku..."
"Shun-chan..."
"What? What did I say?"
Koutoku sighed. Smacking his brother up side the head, he glared. "Shut up. I'm tired. I don't need to be looking after your sorry ass. Make sure you stay OUT OF TROUBLE!"
Yui smirked. It was so cute watching them fight!
Shunkaku's bottom lip quivered, tears threatened to spill. "Aniki hates me!!" He sniffed, looking at his brother with big shimmery eyes.
Koutoku sighed. Then sweat dropped. "I don't hate you, baka. Just stay out of trouble."
Shunkaku's lip remained on the brink of a full-out blown pout. Tears were still formed. "You hate me, you keep insulting me!"
Koutoku sighed. He bowed his head. His brother was such an idiot. Putting his arm around Shunkaku's shoulders, he gave his brother a hug. "I don't hate you! You're my otouto. I just want to make sure your safe." He brushed away the stray tear that was about to fall. "You don't want to upset Yui-san do you? You know I don't hate you. You're my twin brother and I love you very much. Always remember that."
Leaning against his brother, Shunkaku quietly replied. "Hai, Aniki." He added to himself with an invisible smirk, 'I've still got the touch! I haven't lost it yet!'
Koutoku patted his brother on the back. "Good."
Yui rolled her eyes. This was just like watching Miaka and Keisuke.
Something that Chuin had said earlier flashed across Shunkaku's mind sharply. He looked up anxiously. 'What was that he had said, something about the Suzaku Seishi being gathered...but...that's...' His eyes darted over to his brother in worry. "Aniki..."
"Hai, Shunkaku?"
"Do you think the Seiryuu Shichisei will be gathered before the Suzaku ones are?"
Koutoku blinked. "I...I don't know..."
Yui looked up at the mention of the Suzaku seishi. "They're gathering? Then...then that must mean Miaka is here! She didn't go back home!"
"Nani???" Shunkaku turned suddenly to Yui. His eyes were wild with fire. "What the hell do you mean?" Silently. 'How would she know?'
"I...Well, when I was in my world, I could read what she was doing in a book. It kept calling her Suzaku no Miko." Yui replied. She thought back. "If I remember correctly, at the time right before I came here, she had three seishi; Tamahome, Nuriko and Hotohori. They...did something to send her back. That was when the blue light came and I came here."
Shunkaku sighed. "Yui-san, you mentioned before that Miaka's your friend..."
"Hai." She nodded.
Inhaling before he continued. "The thing is, if she's Suzaku No Miko, she's liable to become your enemy."
Yui stepped back. She shook her head violently. "No! She's my best friend! We grew up together! I could never hate her! Never!"
Shunkaku grabbed her by the shoulders. "Yui! Yui, listen to me! I never said she was, all I said is there is a possibility that she might wind up being!"
Tears stung Yui's eyes. She flung her arms around Shunkaku, holding him close. "I don't want her to be!" She held onto him tightly. She wouldn't believe that her and Miaka would become enemies. There had to be another way...there had to be.
Stroking her hair, Shunkaku held her close to his body in a gentle firm embrace, not wanting to let her go. Taking a free hand, he placed it on her face, caressing it gently as he brushed away her stray tears that flooded freely from her eyes. He spoke in coaxing manner, "Shhh, she doesn't have to be, she doesn't have to be. Please, Yui-san, don't cry."
Yui laid her head against Shunkaku's chest. She felt safe and protected with him near. She nodded mutely. Brushing her tears away with her hand, she smiled up at him. "Gomen nasai. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just...afraid for her. I miss her."
Koutoku said nothing during this exchange. He had a sad feeling that things were going to be changing soon. And they weren't for the better.
