Disclaimer: Obviously, it ain't mine... 'nuff said. ^__^
Author's notes: Yeah.. um... not much to say, really. Lots of stuff in this chapter... Nuriko's boyfriend is introduced... **hides** Don't kill me Nuri/Hoto lovers... I wrote the first one before I was a HUGE fan of the pairing... ehehe..^^;;;;;
Sweet FrustrationBy: Kei-chan
Chapter 2 – A plan is made
Strolling down the palace walkway, whistling a happy tune, Kiyu Inoshira couldn't have been much happier. He was on his way to meet Ryuuen for an early picnic supper, the day was absolutely beautiful, and he had gotten word just a few hours ago that his kid sister was coming to the palace to see him. He turned a corner, nearly tripping over Ayuru, who was sitting against the wall.
"Ayuru-sama? Daijobu ka?"
A wistful smile appeared on Ayuru's face, and he looked up at Inoshira with wide, bleary eyes. "H-hai, Inoshira-san. I'm fine."
The older man knelt down, peered worriedly into the young prince's eyes. "You fell into the rose garden again, didn't you?"
"N-not on purpose…" Ayuru replied. Suddenly, his face blanched. "Inoshira-san, I think I'm going to be sick." He rolled to the side, and Inoshira closed his eyes against the retching sounds. When he was done, Inoshira grabbed the young man under the armpits, hefted him to his feet.
"Let's go," he said.
Ayuru grabbed his arm for support, looked at him questioningly. "Where?"
"To the palace doctor, kiddo."
The two moved slowly down the walkway, and Inoshira deposited the young man in the doctor's office. The doctor, and old, plump, jovial fellow raised an eyebrow at Inoshira.
"Fell into the rose garden again."
"Oh for Suzaku's sake, Ayuru-sama!" the doctor chastised. "You know that you're allergic to the damned things, stop going near them!"
"Gomeeeeeeen," Ayuru mumbled.
Inoshira chuckled. "I leave him in your capable hands, doc."
The doctor nodded as Inoshira walked out the door. He climbed over the railing, headed out into the fields, his feet almost automatically taking him where he wanted to go. He began to whistle again, his mood high and cheerful. When he reached the pond, Ryuuen was already sitting on the blanket, staring across the still water.
"Sorry I'm late," Inoshira said, plopping down beside him. "Ayuru-sama fell into the rose garden again."
"Again?" Ryuuen asked. "He's done that 3 times in as many weeks!"
"Hai, I know."
The two lapsed into a comfortable silence, Inoshira looking at the water, Ryuuen watching him.
It had been nearly 10 years since Inoshira had come to the palace as part of a touring singing group. Ryuuen clearly remembered sitting with Hotohori and Jiyuna watching completely enrapt when a man about his own age stepped forward and sang a solo. The man was tall and slender, and had long, flowing silver hair. His eyes were a beautiful violet color, almost the same as Ryuuen's hair. The man had locked eyes with Ryuuen, and for the song, it seemed that he sang only to him. Ryuuen had barely breathed for the duration of the song, and when it was over, had clapped wildly.
After the group was finished, Ryuuen dashed to the front of the hall to meet the beautiful man with the beautiful voice. When he got there, he realized that his voice had taken a vacation… and forgot to let him know. So he had simply stood there, staring at the man, the man staring back, until a deep voice broke the silence.
"Inoshira-san… a truly remarkable performance."
Ryuuen knew the voice to be Hotohori's, and silently thanked the emperor. Inoshira! So that was his name! He grinned, extended his hand and found, to his surprise, that his voice had come back. "Inoshira-san… you sing beautifully."
Inoshira had smiled, took Ryuuen's hand in his own… and in front of the entire court… kissed it! "Why thank you, Suzaku shichiseishi Nuriko-san, but my voice hardly outshines your beauty."
Time had completely stopped. Ryuuen nearly passed out from holding his breath, and when he did, all that erupted from him were maniacal giggles.
He and Inoshira had stayed up that entire night, talking and getting to know one another. When the singing group left the next day, Inoshira had stayed… and now it had been ten years.
Ryuuen dragged himself back to the presence, realized that his beloved had spoken to him. "Hm, wha?"
Inoshira grinned. "I said, what's on your mind?"
"Oh… just thinking about the day we met," he replied, pulling out the food and arranging it on the blanket.
"Ah, of course. How could I forget your bright red face and insane giggles?"
Ryuuen laughed. "Well it was your fault, you know. If you hadn't kissed my hand and showered me with silly compliments, I never would have been reduced to a puddle of giggles."
Inoshira's face became serious, and he reached forward and cupped Ryuuen's cheek. "But I meant every word I ever said, darling. I love you."
The smaller man placed his hand over Inoshira's. "I love you, Ino-chaaaan."
It was supposed to be a loving moment, but upon hearing the nickname he despised, Inoshira face-vaulted. "Then again…"
"Ehehehe," Ryuuen laughed. Before Inoshira could say anything more, he had leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips.
"I hate it when you do that," Inoshira complained.
"No, you don't, you love it."
Abandoning their banter, the two settled down to eat.
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Zenjirou rode into the small town, legs and rearend completely numb. He had ridden for a day straight, not stopping except to allow Suba to rest a little. He was now miles and miles from the village that he had left, shoved the memories to the back of his mind. Now was not the time to think about it, he had revenge to get.
He stopped in front of an inn, tied Suba to a post outside. Walking in, he smiled politely at the plump old woman who sat at the desk. "Can I have a room please?"
The woman nodded, shoved a book at him to be signed. He did so, handed her enough money for a few nights stay, and found his way up to his room. He collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling for a few moments. He did it. He was away from that stinking little village with its prejudiced people... he was only sad his mother couldn't have gotten out as well.
I need a gang, he thought suddenly. People to help him do what he needed done. He rolled off the bed, went back outside to explore the town. It was larger than he was used to, easy place to find a back alley gang that liked to torture and torment people.
As he was wandering, he thought briefly of the lives he was about to ruin. The empress would surely die, but not before he kidnapped her and make the emperor send out all his soldiers to retrieve her. He would cause them all the heartache they had caused his mother, only ten-fold. Zenjirou turned a corner, didn't notice that it was a dead end, or the people closing in behind him.
"Hey, pretty-boy... you new in town?"
He turned quickly, was greeted by a younger man, possibly younger than himself, sneering evilly. "Yeah, what's it to you?"
The younger man grinned maliciously. "All strangers gotta go through an initiation into the town. It's the law."
Zenjirou laughed. "Law? You lie almost as bad as you smell. Get the fuck outta my way, or I'll kill you."
"Really? You and what army?"
The black-haired man reached into his boots, pulled out two shiny daggers. "My two best friends."
The younger gang leader nodded toward the other men, who rushed Zenjirou at once. He went after the first of the men, using the hilts of the daggers to knock him down. Another came at him from behind, but Zenjirou kicked him squarely in the stomach, knocking him backwards. As each member of the gang fell, he took another step toward the leader, until he was right in front of him, one of his daggers pressing uncomfortably against his jugular. "Now," Zenjirou said, almost conversationally, "let's talk."
The other man swallowed visibly. "A-a-a-about what?"
"How would you and your men like to go to Konan?"
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Ayuru sat stiffly in the chair in the Great Hall, food uneaten in front of him. He cast a dark look toward his parents, but they only smiled at him. He hated formal dinners with the nobles. The food was usually good, but he was never hungry. The talk was generally about how wealthy the country was, or how poor other countries and provinces were, and Ayuru could barely stay awake for the main course.
A few thousand years later, dinner was finally over and Ayuru was allowed to get up. He stretched, rather unbecoming for a crown prince, and stifled a yawn.
"Ayuru, why don't you and Mika go for a walk?" Jiyuna suggested.
Oh, please Suzaku, no... he pleaded.
"Yes, that would be nice, son... show her the shrine, if you want to," Saihitei added.
Ayuru nearly groaned, but offered his arm to the young girl. "Shall we?"
Mika blushed ferociously, but took his arm. "Thank you, your highness."
Ayuru escorted her out the doors to the palace walkway, the paused to look at her. "Listen to me, Mika... please, call me Ayuru."
She shook her head emphatically. "I could never use such a familiar name, highness."
"Then use Ayuru-sama... but please don't call me "Highness," I can't stand it when I'm thought of as a stuffy prince."
The young girl looked up at him, and he only grinned. "You mean it?" she asked.
He nodded.
As rapidly as the bashful young girl had been there, she was gone. "Thank Suzaku. I couldn't stand to be shy and quiet much longer."
Ayuru blinked at the girl. He couldn't believe it. It was someone much like him, having to play a role and covering up the real person. "Do you want to see the shrine, Mika? It's really quite beautiful."
Mika nodded. "Sure, what the hell."
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It had been so easy, Zenjirou thought gleefully. Tell men in Kutou that you're after Konan's royal family, and they're all ready to help.
His plan was set. The gang would go into Konan, kidnap the empress. Then she'd be brought back to the village. Zenjirou would then go into Konan alone and confront the emperor. He had it all worked out. Hotohori wouldn't try something if he knew his beloved wife was being held, so Zenjirou knew he'd be able to get into the palace without question. Getting out would be the hard part.
He relaxed into his bed at the inn, feeling for the first time in months that he'd be able to sleep without nightmares.
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Ayuru slipped into bed, his joints beginning to ache from the intense workout from earlier, and his head throbbing from his allergic reaction to the roses. He sank into the mattress, loving the feel of the cool sheets as they pooled around his body. Closing his eyes against the darkness, he relaxed completely, and let sleep take him.
It was only minutes after that when his eyes flew open. He lay in bed for a few moments, trying to decipher the growing feeling of panic rising within him. He felt like he couldn't breathe, but he pushed himself to a sitting position, his feet planted firmly on the floor. He forced the air in and out of his lungs, but the feeling that something was terribly wrong remained. It seemed to be pushing him, so he got out of bed, pulled on his night robe, slipped shoes on his feet, and stepped out onto the walkway. It was a beautiful night; warm, but with a refreshing cool breeze coming from the North. Ayuru paused to suck in mouthfuls of the air, but the panic in him pressed harder, and he nearly cried out. Feet moving automatically down the walkway, he realized they were going toward his parent's chambers. When he got there, he stopped, raised a hand to knock…
And froze when a fear unlike anything he had ever felt bore down on him. He dropped to his knees, hugged himself tightly. He stayed like that for a few moments, willing the feeling to pass. It lessened enough for him to get to his feet, then he was running. He breezed down the walkway, going toward the wall that surrounded a palace. There was a hole in the wall, where the stone had broken away. He nearly tripped over his own feet when he saw figures at that wall. And there, being thrust through the hole… was his mother.
Ayuru ran faster, his legs pumping painfully. He had to reach her before they got out into the city, he had to! With his heart breaking, he watched as his mother bare feet disappeared through the wall, and the two remaining men turned to face him. He jumped off the ground, sending one man into the wall with a flying kick. An audible "oof" was heard, and the man sank groaning to the ground. The second man looked at his fallen comrade, and turned angry eyes at Ayuru. "You'll pay for that!" he hissed.
A metallic glint in the moonlight caught Ayuru's attention. The man held a knife, was preparing to rush Ayuru. Ayuru stepped to the side, caught the arm that held the knife. He pushed down on the wrist, and up on the elbow until a snapping was heard, and the man cried out in pain. The knife fell to the ground. Ayuru pushed the man up against the wall, his face close to the man's. "Where did you take her?!" he bellowed. "WHERE?!?!"
The man grinned. "You'll never see you're Empress again, Konan soldier. Give it up." He kicked Ayuru hard in the leg, and scrambled through the hole, dragging the other man with him.
They don't know who I am, Ayuru realized, bending to see through the hole. He saw the men holding swords at his mother's back, forcing her to walk further and further away from the palace, away from him. Ayuru backed up, prepared to run and leap over the wall, but he was suddenly thrust backward, and an imposing figure was standing before him, anger clear on his face.
"Ayuru, what are you doing out here so late?"
"Otousan!" Ayuru cried, running up to his father. "They took her! We have to stop them!"
Saihitei stared at his son. "Who took whom?" He looked around, puzzled.
"Okaasan! They took her! Some men took Okaasan!" Ayuru was hysterical, but he didn't care. He grabbed his father's sleeping robes, felt hot tears on his cheeks. "We have to get her back!"
Saihitei felt his breath leave him, and he dropped to his knees on the cool grass. "Took her? They took Jiyuna? Who would do such a thing?" His voice was barely above a whisper, his face pinched from distress.
Ayuru knelt in front of him, hugged him fiercely. "What are we going to do, Otousan? How do we get her back?"
The emperor wrapped his arms around Ayuru. "We can't do anything, my son, but I'll send soldiers out right away to scour the city. Whoever took your mother will no doubt send us message."
Ayuru pulled back, saw tears on the face of his father. He had never seen him cry before... it was... weird, in a way. Light footsteps fell behind them, Ayuru knew it was Nuriko.
"What's going on?" he asked. "I felt something happen."
"Jiyuna's been kidnapped," Saihitei replied, no emotion in his voice. "Nuriko, send out the guards. I want her found tonight!" The last word was a yell, and it was then Nuriko could see the anguish on his face. He turned and ran back into the palace, yelling for the guards.
Inoshira met him on the walkway. "Ryuuen? What's wrong?"
Ryuuen turned wide, concerned eyes on Inoshira. "The empress has been kidnapped. I have to go find her."
The white-haired man nodded sternly. "I'm going with you. No arguments."
Ryuuen stared at Inoshira for a moment, then nodded as well. "Okay, let's go."
Back by the wall, Ayuru pulled Saihitei to his feet. "Come on, Otousan. Let's go inside, I need you strong. So does Okaasan."
Saihitei stood, straightened, and walked slowly into the palace. If you hurt her, he vowed to the men who had taken her, I will kill you.
TBC....