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okay, so here's another installment. I am still not sure as to what chap this fic will finished, so don't ask yet! Thanks to those who reviewed *hands out cyber choco-chip cookies*
Warning: major ooc
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Chapter 7: Broken SilenceFor days, Rukawa noticed the redhead discretely following him and being extra nice – offering to carry things, making sure he eats more than his usual serving, incessantly chatting with him even if he doesn't contribute anything. At first, Rukawa just ignore the attention, but lately it is becoming very irritating. And the fact that the others seemed to also notice the special attention irritates him more!
Today, the raven-haired youth is on one of his daily routine to gather herbs. Again, the redhead has assumed the responsibility of going with him. And that Snow is following the redhead more than his supposed master blows off the wick.
Rukawa abruptly stops and turns around to face the startled redhead. "Doaho." Rukawa said in the iciest way possible.
"Oh, so you speak at last, kitsune!" The young lord exclaimed. "And I'm almost convinced that some magical cat got your tongue! NYAHAHAHA… And you don't have to be shy, I give you permission to call me Tensai, ne?"
With eyebrows knit, Rukawa replied, "Stop 'aho."
"Nani?"
"Stop following me around."
"Teme kitsune!!! That's so presumptuous of you! I'm just playing with Snow, and he seems to be following you around. So don't blame me."
"Ahou."
"And don't call me ahou, baka kitsune!"
"…"
"So, where are we going?" Hanamichi innocently asked, skipping along Rukawa, hoping that the tight-lipped guy would reply.
"…" ... or not!
"C'mon, since you're finally talking, the least you could do is tell me where we're going! Isn't that so hard?" The young lord is getting exasperated. Patience is definitely not one of his virtues!
"…"
"K'so!"
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"Hey, what's with the string? That's too thin to tie some priced animals? Hmmm, maybe you're threading it to make a stouter rope, right? NYAHAHAHA, Ore Wa Tensai…"
The redheaded lord has again tailed him to his working cabin… He has given up on hopes that the do'aho would tire of following him around. Even without him responding to the redhead's chattering, the young lord is still adamant, annoying him to no end.
But Rukawa has found the annoying youth endearing. Even in his silence, he didn't feel any trace of forced companionship with the redhead. Their bickers and taunts, though oftentimes silent, has become their language of approval with each other. Well, at least on his side. Every moment with the redhead, he discovers something new
"It's wick for candles." Rukawa replied in monotone.
"Honto?! You know how to make candles? Wow, that's great! Teach me, teach me!" The redhead bounced excitedly.
Again, the redhead had found another way to be more endearing in his eyes. "Candles, soap, incense, ointments, oils... Hmm, so the Tensai doesn't know how to make them!" Rukawa replied.
The raven-haired youth knew that the insult won't go unnoticed. "Kitsune! I bet you do not know how to fight!" And the redhead just retaliated without much thought.
"What's at stake?" Rukawa is quitely enjoying teasing the other, which he can't help but provoke more!
"Huh?! You really know how to fight? With swords?" Eyes round with disbelief, the young lord suddenly had the thoughtful look, weighing the probability that the kitsune is telling the truth. "But how did you learn? Where?"
"The forest is full of challenges, if you only know where to look."
"Ahh… You learned to defend yourself!"
"No. I played with them."
Now, that is a blatant bragging! The redhead just puffed out, "Show off Kitsune!"
"I'm serious. I learned sword fighting with the Whipping Tree." Rukawa turned to look at the young lord.
Lord Hanamichi suddenly became subdued. "Rukawa, Arigatou."
Rukawa was struck silence, if he wasn't silent enough, of the seriousness of the redhead.
"Thank you very much!" The young lord uttered again to stress the sincerity of his confession.
"?!"
Not understanding the silence, the redhead tried again. "I said, Arigatou."
"For what?"
"For saving me and the gundam; for letting me recuperate in your bed; for sharing Snow with me; for giving us shelter; for taking care of us!" Hanamichi heaved a loud sigh. "At the attacking branches, my last vision was of an angel and a big white furry animal… It was you and Snow, right? You saved us from a certain death!"
"Not I. Anzaide."
"But the pale skin and long black hair, it was you!"
"It was me and Snow you saw, alright! But it was Anzaide who saved all of you."
"???"
"Her gift. She dreams." Rukawa would have preferred not talk of his and Anzaide's gifts, but the redhead just opened it up and not telling anything would definitely mean more pestering from the young lord.
"Eh? She dreamed that we will be attacked by that tree?" asked Hanamichi incredulously.
Better be pestered today than later. "She dreamed of 5 fishes caught in a moving trap, or something…"
"Eh?" Hanamichi now is becoming more and more confused. What are fishes got to do with us! Is this kitsune pulling my leg? "Oi, kitsune, don't make fun of me by telling that the gundam and I are fishes! Baka!"
"Do'aho! It's because you are not Learned, you do not understand!" Rukawa answered getting frustrated then released a loud sigh. "She dreamed of things, and because her gift is to discern dreams, she knew of the impending danger that involves the Whipping Tree. Don't ask me how she knew, the when or where or what, she just knew!"
"Ah, okay!" The redhead, not totally grasped the idea, just accepted the explanation dismissively. "Oh, I forgot. I'll be back in a while…" He bolted out the door without waiting for the raven-haired youth to reply.
Rukawa mumbled "Baka" while shaking his head in utter wonder of the redhead's almost quicksilver attitude.
Just when Rukawa was starting to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere, the redhead bounded into the room with excited energy.
"Kitsune, for helping us out, please accept this gift." The young lord, with an expectant grin on his face, handed Rukawa a small chest.
Rukawa silently opened the given chest and extracted a handful of jesses. A pleased expression crossed his eyes when the jesses tinkled softly.
"I kinda like your hair very much, and I was thinking that the golden jesses will look good on you… Here, let me," the redhead excitedly offered. He carefully braided a small part of Rukawa's hair and attached a string of jesses.
Rukawa gave his head a shake and soft peals resonate.
"Truce?" the young lord nervously offered.
"Okay." And for the first time, Lord Hanamichi saw Rukawa's beautiful smile.
tbc
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Though there are some fanarts of ru smiling, I am still wondering what he would REALLY look with that beaming smile! *swoon*
I am really a baddie, having to leave you all hanging again, NYAHAHA!!!!
Any comments/reaction/suggestions/question is accepted, ten-Q!