Author: Tschubi-chan
e-mail: keiji_izumi@yahoo.com
Title: As time goes by
Warnings: Shonen-ai, definitely AU, the tale Snow-white will be base for the story, but the rest is result of my own warped mind *evil grin* I considered calling the story "Kenken and the seven dwarfs" for an amount of time, but it sounded far too crappy
Ratings: PG-13 (just to be safe. There will probably nothing more than a few chaste kisses)
Pairing: RanxKen , YoujixKen (but only randomly)
Spoilers: none, I think. If you find some, you can kick me! but I prefer if you stay nice with the poor author
Disclaimer: Weiß Kreuz belongs to Koyasu-sama and Project Weiß. The original tale belongs to the Brothers Grimm or to Disney. You may choose!
A/N: long as always
Tschubi-chan grins like a maniac: After getting such positive response to the fic, I decided to continue it. bows deeply
Katagillian: That was one of the cutest things I have ever read.
Ran grumbles: I am *not* cute!!!!
Tschubi-chan sighs: She said the story was cute, not you! smiles You're only kawaii!!!!!!!!
Ran glares: Another comment like that and...pulls out his infamous katana...SHI-NE!!!
Tschubi-chan gulps: ...
Katagillian: I can't believe Ran was going to pick on poor Kenken because he got stuck in his room.
Youji: That's why he's better off with me smirks and cuddles KenkenKen turns a nice shade of red at that
Ran growls furiously: Hands off him or face my wrath!
Youji shakes his head and pulls Ken even closer: No way!!!!
Katagillian: Youji seems pretty protective of the boy already. Is there going to be any quarrelling between him and Ran, huh?
Ken sighs tiredly: It better be not! They are both in love with me blushes adorably at the thought in "Eternal Return" already. You know how hard it is to decide between them! looks at Tschubi-chan slightly accusingly What have you planned in your wicked mind?
Tschubi-chan glomps Ken and makes puppy eyes at him: Nothing to worry about, Kenken! You'll end up with the one you truly love.
Ken blinks owlishly: And that would be?
Ran and Youji stare at him shocked
Tschubi-chan grins: Me, of course!!!!!!!!!
Ken: ..... he fainted from shock
Ran attacks author: You're so dead! First you pair my little one up with that playboy in "Eternal Return" and now you want him for yourself?! SHI-NE!!!!!!!!!!!
Tschubi-chan snips with her fingers and his katana disappears: You're doing this far too often!
Ari pops out of nowhere: Omi, Aya and Sakura are older than Ken? incredulous look
Tschubi-chan smirks: The advantages of AU!!! I could make Youji an old hag and could blame it on the fact that it's not part of the usual Weiß Universe!
Youji white as a sheet: You wouldn't dare!
Ran laughs quietly: She would, Youji! She would! Youji faints
Ken wakes up seeing Ran smile: Oh, my God! Ran can laugh! Anybody has a camera?
Ari pulls out requested camera and gives it to Ken: I want a baby Kenken now!
Tschubi-chan shrugs with her shoulders: No problem! If you get past Youji´s and Ran´s defences that means! clears her throat Now on to the second chapter and don't forget to review or I´ll give Ran his katana back audience pales and nods shakily
Tschubi-chan leaves grinning evilly
As time goes by
Chapter2 - Sakura and Peaches
*15 years later, at the border between the kingdoms of Weiß and Fujimiya*
Prince Ran and his younger cousin had spent nearly five days on a dusty road before they finally reached the border to the Weiß Kingdom. They were quiet exhausted considering the weather had been more than cruel these past few days. The sun shone without mercy burning on their backs, making them feel thirsty as if they hadn't been able to drink for a very long time, not only some few hours ago.
It was no unusual weather for the Fujimiya territories, hot and dry without rain for weeks, but this was the first longer journey Ran and his companion went ahead with without guards and without the usual pleasantries for a member of the royal family which included a nice bath at the end of each day.
Ran´s father hadn't been exactly pleased when his son announced that he was leaving the kingdom for some time in order to visit King Persia and Queen Manx of the neighbour country. Though he was on very good terms with both, he actually didn't like the idea of his son leaving on his own. Sure he was old enough to know what was good for him, but their kingdom had recently been threatened by Takatori, King of Schwarz and his son would present a very good target for assassination while on his own.
The journey would take about 11 days with, 8 days without escort- 5 days till the frontier, 3 other days until the royal castle of Weiß. Enough time to get rid of the heir to the Fujimiya Kingdom.
When Ran finally said in his usual cold voice that he wouldn't change his mind no matter what, King Botan reluctantly agreed. He only hoped it was the right decision. He only felt worse when he found out that his nephew Omi secretly joined his son, so that there was now the great risk of loosing two members of the royal family. He decided to trust his son and wait how things turned out.
Ran already highly respected in the Kingdom - wise, smart and aloof - would make a great king in the future, if only He'd show more emotion. The only time he ever opened up a bit was when he was with his younger sisters Aya and Sakura and strange as it was...when he received news of the well-being of Manx's and Persia's child Ken.
King Botan wasn't sure why Ran reacted this way. When he had seen Ken the last time, it had been fifteen years ago and it had been only a few weeks after the boy's birth. He had no clue why Ran was so attached to him, though he denied to have an interest in the boy when he had asked him once.
A slight rustle of leaves jerked Ran out of his thoughts. He looked up tiredly, swiping some dust and sweat out of his pale face. It was odd. Though he lived in a place that was known for its dark-tanned
people, his skin had always stayed pale almost white. He never got a sunburn but he never got tanned either. Weird indeed.
His gaze followed the path that lay ahead of them and disappeared between the shadows of gigantic trees that formed the natural frontier between the two kingdoms. Far on the horizon he could make out the outline of high mountains and...hovering above them heavy cloud banks that promised rain.
Ran sighed, the sound barely audible over the slow gallop of their horses and the upcoming wind. His black cape hid his expression, but the boy besides him knew it would be blank. Nothing new! The only person who could even get as much as a genuine smile out of him was Aya, Sakura had more problems, but his face at least softened when with her, indicating that he cared for her as much as for Aya. Hell, they were twins. Why should he care less for one of them?
"How much longer?", Omi asked trying his best not to sound whiny or exhausted. After all his cousin hadn't asked for his company. It was his own, as he realised rather stupid, wish. But he couldn't change that now. And he would rather die than admit it.
"Three days", Ran answered quietly not even bothering to turn his head in his direction. Omi was used to it, so he wasn't too offended.
"We have to cross the woods. That should take another two days. The rest of the distance were grassy plains as far as I remember and if it didn't change within the last fifteen years.", he continued and finally shot a glance at Omi. Their was an odd spark in his eyes, almost like...anticipation? Did Omi miss something? That was so unlike him?
"You were here before, ne?", he asked a bit uncertainly.
Ran nodded curtly.
"When Prince Ken was born, Persia-sama invited us to the celebrations. I went along with my parents. Though boring at first ...", he seemed to smile to Omi´s shock, "...it was a rather nice stay. I wished I would have returned here earlier. My heart seems to be at peace just by the thought of being there."
Omi was speechless. What did he mean by "his heart being at peace"?
"Ran...?", he didn't know what exactly to ask.
"Hn?"
/Typical Ran answer/, Omi thought.
"Why did you decide to come here now? I mean you could have done so, years ago when circumstances would have been better. Takatori could attack any moment."
Ran closed his eyes. Why indeed? Should he tell his cousin that he had the feeling he would loose part of his soul if he didn't go to Weiß? That he would loose the chance to happiness? He wasn't certain himself why he decided to come, but he hadn't lied earlier when he said that his heart was at peace here.
"I have my reasons! Don't ask!", he finally snapped curtly.
He almost immediately regretted being so harsh, but he wasn't the person to take back his words. He cast another sideways-glance at Omi. The boy didn't seem hurt by his words, he resumed. Good! He hated offending the ones he loved though he never admitted it.
Omi was a sweet boy only two years younger than him. His blonde hair, gorgeous blue eyes and caring nature had earned him the title of a little angel when he was younger. The gentle boy seemed to take everybody's hearts by storm even his own. He radiated kindness and innocence, but Ran knew better than to mess up with him. Once infuriated over something, Omi was hard to stop.
Ran´s thoughts drifted farther back - back to the time when he first met a certain brunette that somehow had managed to capture his heart. It seemed ridiculous for a five year old child to fall in love, but thinking about it now, he was sure that he fell for the child the moment he saw it.
He wondered what the boy was like today, nearly fifteen years later. He had sent messengers to the Weiß Kingdom to be informed about Kenken´s well-being. Ran´s face lit up. He hadn't forgot the cute nickname, Ken's cousin Youji had given to the boy. Kenken. It was as cute as the boy himself. It simply suited him.
He hadn't forgot his vow either. Though Lord Kudou became Ken's protector and adviser, he wanted to be sure that no harm came from his side. So far the blonde had kept his promise. As he had said, he made sure of that. Not even his father knew that he had a spy in the castle who watched over Prince Ken. The messengers were another matter altogether. He usually sent them with requests to King Persia and they always managed to look out for Ken, too.
Ran was interested if Youji also remembered his promise, but after the first impression he got from the lanky boy, he was almost sure he didn't forget either. The way he reacted when he had found Ran near Ken showed how much he cared.
/Almost possessively!/, Ran thought.
"Ran!", Omi´s voice interrupted his musings again.
He blinked twice. Unknown to him, for he had closed his eyes for several minutes, the horses had entered the forest. Ran could hear sounds of trees, animals, birds and water. So unlike his own homestead. Where Fujimiya territories were quietness only interrupted by the sound of wind blowing through the desert, Weiß was life, an almost noisy life. The wind was still there, but now accompanied by rustling leaves he already noticed on the desert road a few miles back.
Birds chirped in tune to the wind, a doe with its fawn observed them from behind a hedgerow. The forest itself was bathed in a mixture of light and shadow, a welcome change to the constant exposure to sunlight during the last five days. Calm and soothing greens dominated the environment.
/Green! The colour of his eyes!/, Ran thought melancholy.
"Ran! I think we should search for a shelter!"
Omi pointed upwards and through the foliage of trees, Ran could see that the sky had darkened considerably. The cloud bank hovering above the mountains just half an hour ago, had nearly reached them and it seemed to bring more than a little rain with it.
Ran glanced at Omi. The boy looked worried, but not overly so. He decided to take pity on the boy and nodded indicating that he agreed with him. Their journey to the Weiß Kingdom was Omi´s first longer absence from home. First getting sunburned, then soaking wet weren´t exactly enjoyable experiences for a first journey.
He turned around and studied his surroundings more carefully. To his left he could make out several hills between the trees. With a bit luck they would find shelter there in form of a cave.
"Follow me!", he ordered and spurred his horse.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*Somewhere in the royal castle of the Weiß Kingdom*
Lord Youji Kudou, known to be the Crown-Prince's most trusted adviser, friend and protector as well as notorious womaniser, entered his charge's chambers with a more than pissed off expression. Once inside the room he looked around, but failed to see the young prince.
Youji wasn't worried about that. If he wasn't inside his rooms, he was in the gardens and tended to the flowers, read a book or played the flute. And if he didn't do that, he played with "Storm" and some children from the palace. The blonde man smiled. One main reason not to be worried! If "Storm" was around the Prince, he was safe.
He crossed the room briskly not bothering to marvel the room itself. It looked nearly the same as fifteen years ago, calming blue and silver colours still creating an atmosphere of tranquillity. Ken loved all shades of blue, silver and white. Next to the canopy bed stood a small table, usually occupying either red roses or blue gentians. This time it was an intricate flower arrangement of both.
The blonde man shook his head lightly in order to get a clear view. He had forgot to take his hair into a ponytail this morning. The punishment was that he had to swipe or shake some hair out of his face every five seconds. He entered the gardens and looked around. No sign of Ken.
"Kenken?", he called and walked further in. Ever since Ken was able to walk on his own, he liked to tend to the flowers. The result was the most beautiful gardens the kingdom had ever seen. People from other countries liked to stop by just to marvel them.
Many flower beds were occupied by gentians or roses, the roses mostly in deep red colours but also in shades of rosé, yellow, peach, white and blue. Prince Ken had got the blue roses from a merchant of the Sun-Kingdom after the man had seen the gardens. Though very rare and expensive the merchant insisted on giving them to the Prince as a gift. It was his way to express his thanks for being able to enter the royal gardens.
In the course of years Ken also planted violets, daisies, tulips, lilies, orchids, Rhodesians, carnations, peonies and many more. Normally, at least one or two flowers were blooming in any season. The winters in the kingdom of Weiß were mild. It was snowing only occasionally and temperatures never fell below 3 degrees.
A petal floated past his cheek and he tried to catch it. One of the most beautiful parts of the gardens next to the flourishing Gentians was a small stream that divided the flower beds almost naturally and created a little island in the centre. A small bridge allowed entrance to the island. On each part of the stream large willows grew, their branches almost long enough to touch the crystal-clear water below. Water lilies hovered on the water and added to the natural beauty of the environment.
Youji crossed the small bridge onto the island and came to a halt under a blooming Sakura tree. Ken loving the smell of Sakura and Peach petals had insisted on planting them there.
"Kenken?", he asked again.
A giggle was heard from somewhere above him, the sound as merry and beautiful as its owner.
"Up here, Yotan! What's the matter?", Ken called.
Youji looked up and shielded his eyes against the rays of sun breaking through the leaves and petals. Three and a half meters above him, he could make out his charge sitting on a branch. Ken smiled down at him.
"You look a bit pissed off, Yotan. I swear , it wasn't me this time whatever it was."
Youji chuckled upon hearing that. It wasn't Ken that made him angry. Not him at all! No one in the whole castle could ever hold a grudge against the sweet boy for long. Ken was life and merriment, his laughter lighting up the days of all people.
No! Ken wasn't what made him upset, but the news that a certain red-headed prince would arrive soon.
He hadn't forgot the little meeting they had 15 years ago. Youji still considered Prince Ran a brat although he hadn't seen him ever since. He sighed. Why did the news of his speedy arrival upset him so much?
"Yotan!", the young prince sounded unsure. "I didn't do anything, did I?"
/That's my Kenken!/, Youji thought. /Always worrying if he might be the reason of a person's anger./
"No, Kenken! For once you're not the reason.", Youji smirked. "You should know by now that you don't upset people. Why do you always have to ask?"
"Just wanted to make sure. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.", he said his beautiful emerald eyes still looking a bit unsure.
Aa...there it was again. One of the reasons, everybody in the kingdom loved the boy. He cared with his whole heart! The thought of someone being hurt made him miserable and it showed clearly through his eyes. Youji didn't know anyone who was as attached to life and happiness as Ken.
"You've never hurt anyone, my Lord. Now come down here! I´d like to talk with you."
Ken smiled.
"Why don't you come up? I prefer to stay where I am.", he answered daringly.
Youji groaned. Last time he listened to that, he had ended up on the ground and wasn't able to sit properly for weeks. But, he also knew that Ken wouldn't come down if it wasn't utterly necessary.
"Fine stay there if you want."
Ken grinned. Youji sighed.
"I just wanted to inform you that Prince Ran of the Fujimiya Kingdom will arrive in two days. King Botan sent a carrier pigeon that his son left the castle six days ago in order to visit your parents. His majesty, King Persia already ordered to send someone to escort Prince Ran to the castle. The young Lord, stubborn as he is, decided to take the journey alone, his only companion being his cousin Omi. King Botan asked for the escort."
Ken listened carefully to his friend's words and frowned.
"Why are you upset then? Otou-sama said that Botan´s family is very nice and it's not that you know Prince Ran."
"I now him better than you think.", Youji muttered quietly, but Ken heard him nevertheless.
"You already met him? When? I can't recall a meeting between you and him."
"I met him during the celebrations of your birth 15 years ago. He was a spoiled little brat who dared enter the royal quarters without permission. I didn't like him then, why should I like him now?"
The young prince gaped at him, blinked once and then scowled.
"You've only seen him once and judge him by that? Youji Kudou! I thought, you knew better than that! I bet he's a nice person to be around with. And even if you know him as a brat...15 years are a long time to change, don't you think?"
"Whatever!", Youji sulked. The boy was right, but he didn't like to admit it. He was still worried and upset. It was commonly known that Prince Ran was cold and aloof. Some people dared call him anti-social. Youji didn't know if that was true, but he was afraid that he might hurt his protégé while being here. Ken wasn't used to people who never showed any emotion or treated him harshly.
A sharp crack and a yelp jerked him out of his thoughts. He could see that Ken had tried to climb down the tree. One of the branches hadn't been able to hold the boy´s weight and broke. The prince now clung onto another branch for dear life.
"Shit!", Youji cursed. He positioned himself under the boy.
"Kenken! Let go! I´ll catch you!"
He needn't have told him because the next moment the second branch broke, too and Prince Ken fell. Youji prepared himself for the impact. He managed to get a hold of him and both landed on the ground in a heap. After a few seconds to catch his breath, Youji opened his eyes and looked around. Surprisingly none of his bones hurt too much. Prince Ken lay on top of him, head buried in his chest. His chocolate brown bangs hid his face, but considering the death grip the boy had on him, Youji supposed that he was in shock. He shook the boy's shoulders lightly.
"Yo, Kenken?", he asked worriedly. "You okay, chibi?"
The boy nodded slowly, then looked up. His face was pale and a bit frightened and Youji could see that he was indeed in shock.
"Think you can stand up? You're not as light anymore as when you were little."
Ken smiled weakly and proceeded to stand up. He managed to get up half-way before he fell down again with an anguished moan. He clenched his eyes shut in pain.
"My foot! It hurts!", he whimpered.
Youji scooped him up careful not to upset the injury any more and set him next to the tree. He took the boy's foot into his hand and examined it. He frowned when the movement elicited another yelp from the boy. Two tears escaped from under the boy's eyelids.
"You've sprained your ankle.", Youji said and scooped him up again. "I better take you to your room and let Momoe take care of it. Don't worry! It's not too bad!"
"I'm sorry!", Ken whispered.
"Hey, hey, chibi! No need to be sorry! I fell from a tree more than once. Just promise me not to climb up one in the near future. I'm not always there to catch you.", he joked to lighten the prince's mood.
"I promise!", Ken chuckled. "No more climbing unless somebody's there to catch me."
"That's my boy!", Youji laughed.
He entered the royal chambers and placed Ken on the bed. The boy moaned again. Youji caressed his cheek. He hated to see him in pain. Ken was laughter and merriment. He shouldn't be in pain.
"OK. Just stay here and I´ll get Momoe!", he turned around and went to the door. Before he opened it, he faced the boy one last time.
"Have you seen "Storm" by any chance? He was supposed to stay with you when I'm not there!"
Ken laughed.
"I sent him hunting. He should be back before nightfall."
"Oh! It's alright then.", he said and left.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Youji entered the portal to his mother's chambers. He hoped to find Momoe there who was his mother's maid and one of the prince's nurses. The old woman had arrived at the castle nearly fifteen years ago. Nobody knew where she originally came from, but that didn't matter. Everybody trusted the kind woman and it was well-known that she loved the young prince dearly.
Momoe was also wise and held knowledge over medicinal herbs. It wasn't the first time that the prince had injured himself accidentally. Youji supposed she would be able to help him without problems. Besides Ken hated doctors. Momoe was probably the only person he would accept anyway.
"Momoe-san? Are you in there?"
He looked around the room. His mother wasn't there, but he could make out the old maid in one of the high-chairs near the windows. She had slept when he came in but almost immediately opened her eyes when he spoke to her. She smiled kindly at him.
"How may I help you, my Lord?", she asked politely.
"Ken-sama needs you, Momoe-san. He fell off a tree and hurt himself."
The old nurse blanched and stood up abruptly. Youji calmed her down.
"It seems to be not so bad. I caught him in time, but he sprained his ankle and you might want to take a good look at it."
Momoe nodded, some of the colour returning to her face.
"I´ll get some herbs, bandages and cold water. His lordship will be in his chambers I assume?"
"Yes. I took him to bed and ordered him to stay there until you're coming."
"Very good! I´ll be there in a minute."
Youji turned around and left the room. Momoe looked after him and cursed slightly under her breath.
"Ran-sama will be so angry when he hears that the prince got hurt.", she filled a basin with water and grabbed some herbs as well as bandaged out of a drawer. She exited the room worriedly.
"I´ll deal with that later. Ken-sama is more important at the moment."
~ End chapter2 ~
A/N.
I´m a bit disappointed. The chapter turned out by far longer than I intended. Ran should have been there already. Seems that you have to wait till the next chapter to see Ran and Ken together, ne? smile
I promise to get it out as soon as possible.
Oh, yeah. I experimented a bit with my style. I´m sure you noticed. I wanted to be a bit more descriptive, but I´m not sure how it turned out. If I´d written it in German it would have been easier, but I hope it´s not as bad as I say it is.
OK. I´m going back to my keyboard to continue this. And you...I hope, you´re going to review this!!! makes puppy eyes
Those who should wonder. I still have "Snow-white" in mind while writing this, so don´t worry! grin