Title:Trials of Time
Part: 4/?
Author: Nanako
Genre:Romance, au
Pairing:RuHana, KoshSen, MakiJin, HanaFuji (Hanagata)
Rating:PG
Archive: 1. it's ok for me if you archive this fic to sdfic ML
2. This fic is not posted in any other archive
E-mail:ishpoof@i-manila.com.ph
Warning: the characters are extremely ooc, bad choice of words, cursing
Author's notes: Haruko bashing ^^. I couldn't find anyone else who would do anything to get Kaede's love.gomen. Oh and this chapter is longer than my usual.
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is Takehito Inoue's and will never be mine (sob)
CHAPTER 5
The redheaded girl had walked a long way, until she finally realized that her pet monkey was already gone from her shoulder.
Afraid that she might attract the attention of larger and more dangerous beasts out here in the forest, the girl decided not to make too much noise when she searched for her dear little Coco.
It was 15 minutes later when she finally saw Coco. She was peering through a bush when she saw the little monkey hurtle itself down upon the unsuspecting stranger they saw earlier.
"No!" the girl exclaimed as she saw the man lose balance and fell from his majestic stallion.
No longer caring that the man was from the Han dynasty, the redhead revealed herself from her hiding place and rushed towards the fallen man.
The stallion was startled by what had happened and the redhead tried to calm it down first before approaching the stranger, afraid that it might trample them in its startled state.
After a few pats, caresses and gentle words, the horse finally calmed down.
The redhead heaved a sigh of relief and went near the fallen stranger. Beside him was a black fox, silent as an innocent little puppy. It was staring directly at the redheaded beauty, as if telling her that it was alright to approach.
At first, the redhead was scared of the unusually black fox. But after looking into the fox's eyes, the redhead fond no sense of malice or ill will within them, so she decided that it was safe to approach the stranger.
She pried her pet off the man's face and said in a scolding tone, "I told you that this man is not one of our people! Now look at what you've done! Judging by his clothes, this man could be a high lord or even a prince! We will be in really deep trouble if he wakes up and finds us here."
She stood up to leave, but a faint whimper stopped her from leaving. She looked back at the black fox and approached it. She knelt down and gently petted it, "You want me to take care of your master right?"
It needn't answer her, because she knew that she couldn't leave the man alone out here while he was wounded. "You know," she told the fox, "this guy' lucky to have you by his side. You're a very loyal companion."
Then, taking on a serious expression, the redhead examined the handy work of her little pet.
Silence...the whole forest seemed to silence itself for the whole duration of the redhead's examination of the fallen man.
Finally, few minutes later, she sighed and once again smiled at the black fox. "Don't worry about your master. He will be alright. He only suffered a minor concussion and some bruises on his arms. He will wake up in probably an hour's time. But I can't leave him here alone now could I?"
The redhead hauled the "very" heavy body of the man and put him over the horse's back. Then, along with Coco and the black fox, she led the horse further into the forest.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Where am I?" Kaede asked. He looked around and saw nothing but blackness all around him.
He was floating, and below him seemed to be a pool of water. But he wasn't sure, because he could barely see anything.
Suddenly, a bright light flashed before him and he had to shield his eyes because of it.
Then he heard a voice, a very familiar voice. He brought his hand down and gasped out loud. The voice he was hearing was from Gen. Toru. And there, before his very eyes, he saw the general looking at him.
"...Remember, that beauty is something which exists deep within a person's heart, never be fooled by external beauty..."
Then the vision disappeared.
"What's going on here?!" Kaede yelled, patience nearly running out.
Then, a single tear formed before him. And as it fell towards the waters below the prince, he heard a voice. It was neither male nor female, it was both and yet it was neither.
"A teardrop in the deep blue waters of the eternal sea...so unfurls the start of a great destiny... a destiny which could go through anything. Thus begins the Trials of Time. 'Tis a life of hatred a suffering, but after all of these, true love will be found nestled in your arms. A curse of love to be said in verse by two lovers brought upon by society's uncaring hearth. Three times in time, three lives again and again. Yet in the 4th they will be together. Neither verse nor curse could break a vow so deep."
Kaede felt his head whirling again and he closed his eyes to steady himself. When he opened them again, however, he found himself staring into the worried brown eyes of a redheaded woman.
He felt his breath catch in his throat, as the girl smiled and checked his pulse.
Then, as she inched away from him, he found his voice and asked, "Did you...save my life?"
She giggled and handed him a mixture of herbs and spices which she instructed him to drink. "Do I look like a person who would hurt you?" she asked as Kaede accepted the medicine she offered.
"Drink that, so that your head will clear up quickly."
"Thank you," Kaede said.
"For what? For saving your life or for the medicine?"
"Both."
She smiled even wider and said, "It's all I could do in order to make up for what Coco did to you back in the forest."
"Coco?"
At that moment, Shadow, with Coco on his head entered the cave they were in.
"You!!" Kaede bellowed as he stood up and pointed an accusing finger at the brown monkey. Frightened, Coco ran towards the redhead.
The redhead frowned at Kaede as she gently carried the frightened monkey into her arms. "Dear sir, my pet Coco is already sorry for what he did to you. He did not mean to injure you so. If you continue to be angered by the presence of my companion, then I suggest you leave immediately."
Surprised at the quick change from sweet and concerned to scolding of the redhead's tone, Kaede sat down again. But, as he sat, the sharp pain at the back of his head came back again. And the redhead immediately noticed he clearly etched pain on the prince's face.
She was immediately by his side, anger completely forgotten and replaced with genuine worry.
"Drink this hurry,' she instructed, indicating the bowl of herbs on Kaede's hand. "Or else you're going to lose consciousness again."
"It..."
"Oh it's not poison," said the girl, growing impatient. She dipped her finger into the bowl and put her finger into the mouth. "See? It's not poisoned. Drink it now!"
Surprised at the sudden urgency in the redhead's tone, and thoroughly convinced that it wasn't poisoned, Kaede drank down the herbal mixture. It tasted bitter but Kaede didn't care.
After drinking, he put the bowl down and the redhead smiled warmly at him. "Feel any better now?"
"I...I..." Kaede was tongue tied. The bitter tasting medicine had cleared his head in an instant. "Yes, I ...thank you."
"Your welcome."
Sensing Kaede's return to health, Shadow rushed back to his master's side. With Shadow back at his side, Kaede was overjoyed. "Shadow!" he exclaimed, hugging the fox and the fox lapping at its master's face to express its joy at seeing him well again.
The redhead cleared her throat to get his attention and Kaede looked at her with a raised brow, as if asking "What now?"
"Forgive me for my rudeness for interrupting your reunion. But could you please tell me who you are?"
"Oh!" Kaede exclaimed. "I forgot, forgive me dear Lady. My name is Kaede, Prince Kaede of the Han dynasty."
"Prince?!" the girl almost choked on her words. She was immediately on her feet and was about to run away, but Kaede reached out to grasp her arm and held her in place.
"Let me go!" she screamed, trying in vain to pull free from the prince's firm grasp.
"But I must know your name," said the prince, softly, tenderly. "Please, just tell me your name."
The girl calmed down and faced him, but a stubborn frown creased her forehead, indicating that she was ready to run away anytime. "You won't kill me?" she asked slowly and carefully.
Kaede had no idea why she would say that. "Why would I?"
"Just answer me!"
"I won't," he finally said. But the look on the redhead's face told him that she didn't believe what he just said. "I won't kill you, I swear upon my honor as a prince. Now please tell me who you are."
The girl took a deep breath and said, "My name is Hanamichi, Princess Hanamichi, niece of the leader of the Siong Nu (Siong Nu - name of one of the northern tribes/barbarians who wanted to invade China during the early dynasties.).
"Now that wasn't so hard, was it Hanamichi?"
Hanamichi just blinked at the prince's reaction to the revelation.
Kaede chuckled at Hanamichi's reaction. He sat down on the floor of the cave and so did Hanamichi s the prince explained, "Our peoples are archenemies but that does not make us enemies, does it?"
Hanamichi's smile returned to her face. "I have enough reason to believe that we will become good friends. But you must leave now. You've been asleep for God knows how long and it's almost sunset. I can already imagine your company becoming sick with worry right at this moment, maj..."
"Kaede," the prince corrected.
"...Kaede then. Bring Coco with you, he knows his way through this forest and will guide you to the place where we stay. Your stallion is already waiting for you outside this cave."
"Thank you," said the prince and with a smooth arm gesture, held up Hanamichi's hand and kissed it gently. He looked up at her with a smile, gently blue eyes meeting warm brown ones, and Hanamichi blushed at the intensity of his gaze. "I look forward to meeting you again Hana..." said the prince as he let go of her hand and left the cave.
He found his stallion outside the cave, just as Hanamichi had said. It was already saddled and ready for riding.
Prince Kaede hoisted himself up onto the stallion, with Coco perched attentively on his shoulder. The prince, no longer angered by the past antics of the rather mischievous monkey, reached up and scratched Coco's chin. "I trust you will be able to lead me back to our camp and to come back tomorrow to lead me to your mistress?" he asked the monkey gently, smiling at it.
The monkey looked at him and chirped in delight.
"I take that as a yes," said Kaede, satisfied.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Where is he?!"
"Calm down Prince Kiminobu," said Lady Kenji worriedly.
Prince Kiminobu heeded no one, and this attitude only made Princess Akira irritated. "Kiminobu," she said in a soft yet scolding tone. "I treat you as a brother younger than I am and not as the crown prince of our dynasty. Therefore it is my responsibility to make sure that you will not become such a restless and impatient soon to be emperor. So will you PLEASE STOP PACING AROUND THE ROOM?!"
Kiminobu stopped in his tracks. This was the first time he had ever heard his ever patient sister raise her voice.
When he stopped, Princess Akira took a deep breath, calmed down and sat back down on her chair. "Do you think you're the only one who's worried about Kaede?"
The sun had just set and everyone in the camp was already worried about the welfare of their "little" prince.
"The young prince usually comes home late even in the capital," said Gen. Shinichi. "I think he is jut up to his usual mischief."
"Kaede does not have any mischief general," said the princess tiredly.
"And that was in the capital," said Kiminobu. "This is a forest, for goodness sake general! Hisashi and Ryota still aren't back but Gen. Toru is with them! At least I can be sure that they are safe."
"I am sure that Prince Kaede can take care of himself," assured Lady Souichirou.
"But still...!"
"Kaede is no longer a boy Kiminobu," said Akira, rubbing her temples, her brows furrowed. Obviously, the younger prince's disappearance was also putting pressure on her. She looked at her brother and said, "Kaede will not allow himself to get lost or hurt Kiminobu. I know him, and I know how high his pride can get. And being lost or hurt is something his pride will never allow."
"But Akira...!"
"Enough is enough Kiminobu," she said softly. "You know Kaede more than anyone. And that is more than enough reason for you to know that he will be okay, whatever the circumstance. Trust me on this brother."
Kiminobu was about to counter her again, but the look in Akira's eyes stopped him. Never had he seen her look so worried in all his life. Worry, perhaps even greater than his, for their youngest brother.
Kiminobu approached his sister and sat down beside her. "Tuay bu tzi ta tzie (I'm so sorry sis). I had no intention to anger you so." He held her hand and smiled at her, "Yes, I understand what you mean. I'll trust Kaede to come back to us."
Akira looked at her brother and returned his smile. "Thanks Kiminobu." She turned to Lady Kenji and asked, "Changing the subject, Lady Kenji how is the lieutenant?"
"Hiroaki?" Lady Kenji asked, surprised at the sudden change of subject. "He is resting in his tent princess. He fainted a while back because of fatigue, there is nothing to be worried about."
"I'm glad. Is it alright to go see him?"
"Yes, I guess it won't do him any harm."
The princess stood up and addressed the gathering, "Please excuse me, I must go see the lieutenant now." She then curtsied and left the gathering.
"Well," said Lady Souichirou as soon as the princess left. "It seems as though the princess has finally allowed herself to be caught."
Kiminobu was about to say something but was stopped by the sound of an approaching horse.
Gen. Shinichi was on the alert immediately. He unsheathed his sword and stood before everyone. A tense silence followed.
But as the newcomer's face came into view, they recognized him immediately.
"Kaede!" Kiminobu exclaimed, as he wrapped his arms around his younger brother as the latter stepped off the saddle. "We were so worried about you!" The crown prince let him go and examined him from head to toe. "Kaede what happened to you?" he asked as he noticed the rumpled and dirtied clothes of Kaede.
"I fell off the horse but I'm fine now Kiminobu," Kaede assured his brother. He smiled at the worried prince and asked, "Why were you so worried brother? It's not the first time that I came back late."
"Still," argued Kiminobu. "This is a forest, not the imperial capital. How could you be sure that you won't get hurt?! Take this for example..."
"Kiminobu," said Kaede as he held his brother by the shoulders and shook him. "Shadow is by my side and I fell off the horse because of my own carelessness. It has nothing to do with me traveling on my own."
"I know," Kiminobu said softly. He looked up at Kaede with warm brown eyes and said with a chuckle, "I always seem to forget that you are no longer my baby brother."
"I will always be your baby brother, Kiminobu."
"But you've already grown up so much, you're even taller than I am now. Oh well, go on, you need your rest. I don't doubt you would prefer to leave alone again tomorrow?"
"You know me too well Kiminobu, sometimes too well for comfort. Well, goodnight, I'm going back to my tent now." Kaede smiled and left, after giving a courteous bow to Gen. Shinichi, Lady Kenji and Lady Souichirou.
As soon as he was out of his companions' sight, Kaede pulled Coco out of his pocket. "Sorry for that," he apologized to the very irritated monkey. "How could I explain to them that I found you in the forest?" He scratched the monkey's chin and soon it calmed down.
Kaede entered his tent and said to Coco, "Remember this is my tent. Come back here for me tomorrow before the sun rises in the east."
The monkey then left the tent to go back to his redheaded mistress.
Kaede rested his tired body on the soft cushions of his bed. "Hanamichi..." he whispered before drifting off into sleep to dream of no one else but the redhead whom he had just met a few hours ago.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Princess Akira strode through the camp in long quick strides until she finally reached Lt. Hiroaki's tent.
Taking a deep breath, the princess entered the tent.
Inside the tent, Akira found the lieutenant in bed, resting. She sat down on a stool beside the bed and gently whispered, "Ni shi ke ta sha kua ya (You are so stupid). Why did you neglect yourself?"
Lt. Hiroaki slowly opened his eyes and tried to sit up. But the princess stopped him and said, "Don't try to stand up yet lieutenant."
He resumed his position, and smiled at the princess, "What brings you here Princess?"
"I came to visit you."
"Why? I am but a lieutenant in your father's army."
"Yet, you hold a special place here in my heart," the princes replied without hesitation. And heedless to the surprised stare the lieutenant gave her, she continued, "I'm sorry if I made you wait for such a long time Hiroaki. It's just that I ...I..."
Tears ad started to form in the princess' eyes, "I made you wait for so long..."
Hiroaki reached out to wipe her tears, "Don't cry now princess..."
"Akira," she corrected him.
"Akira then," the lieutenant said. "It was worth the wait Akira, I love you so much."
tbc
Author: Nanako
Genre:Romance, au
Pairing:RuHana, KoshSen, MakiJin, HanaFuji (Hanagata)
Rating:PG
Archive: 1. it's ok for me if you archive this fic to sdfic ML
2. This fic is not posted in any other archive
E-mail:ishpoof@i-manila.com.ph
Warning: the characters are extremely ooc, bad choice of words, cursing
Author's notes: Haruko bashing ^^. I couldn't find anyone else who would do anything to get Kaede's love.gomen. Oh and this chapter is longer than my usual.
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is Takehito Inoue's and will never be mine (sob)
CHAPTER 5
The redheaded girl had walked a long way, until she finally realized that her pet monkey was already gone from her shoulder.
Afraid that she might attract the attention of larger and more dangerous beasts out here in the forest, the girl decided not to make too much noise when she searched for her dear little Coco.
It was 15 minutes later when she finally saw Coco. She was peering through a bush when she saw the little monkey hurtle itself down upon the unsuspecting stranger they saw earlier.
"No!" the girl exclaimed as she saw the man lose balance and fell from his majestic stallion.
No longer caring that the man was from the Han dynasty, the redhead revealed herself from her hiding place and rushed towards the fallen man.
The stallion was startled by what had happened and the redhead tried to calm it down first before approaching the stranger, afraid that it might trample them in its startled state.
After a few pats, caresses and gentle words, the horse finally calmed down.
The redhead heaved a sigh of relief and went near the fallen stranger. Beside him was a black fox, silent as an innocent little puppy. It was staring directly at the redheaded beauty, as if telling her that it was alright to approach.
At first, the redhead was scared of the unusually black fox. But after looking into the fox's eyes, the redhead fond no sense of malice or ill will within them, so she decided that it was safe to approach the stranger.
She pried her pet off the man's face and said in a scolding tone, "I told you that this man is not one of our people! Now look at what you've done! Judging by his clothes, this man could be a high lord or even a prince! We will be in really deep trouble if he wakes up and finds us here."
She stood up to leave, but a faint whimper stopped her from leaving. She looked back at the black fox and approached it. She knelt down and gently petted it, "You want me to take care of your master right?"
It needn't answer her, because she knew that she couldn't leave the man alone out here while he was wounded. "You know," she told the fox, "this guy' lucky to have you by his side. You're a very loyal companion."
Then, taking on a serious expression, the redhead examined the handy work of her little pet.
Silence...the whole forest seemed to silence itself for the whole duration of the redhead's examination of the fallen man.
Finally, few minutes later, she sighed and once again smiled at the black fox. "Don't worry about your master. He will be alright. He only suffered a minor concussion and some bruises on his arms. He will wake up in probably an hour's time. But I can't leave him here alone now could I?"
The redhead hauled the "very" heavy body of the man and put him over the horse's back. Then, along with Coco and the black fox, she led the horse further into the forest.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Where am I?" Kaede asked. He looked around and saw nothing but blackness all around him.
He was floating, and below him seemed to be a pool of water. But he wasn't sure, because he could barely see anything.
Suddenly, a bright light flashed before him and he had to shield his eyes because of it.
Then he heard a voice, a very familiar voice. He brought his hand down and gasped out loud. The voice he was hearing was from Gen. Toru. And there, before his very eyes, he saw the general looking at him.
"...Remember, that beauty is something which exists deep within a person's heart, never be fooled by external beauty..."
Then the vision disappeared.
"What's going on here?!" Kaede yelled, patience nearly running out.
Then, a single tear formed before him. And as it fell towards the waters below the prince, he heard a voice. It was neither male nor female, it was both and yet it was neither.
"A teardrop in the deep blue waters of the eternal sea...so unfurls the start of a great destiny... a destiny which could go through anything. Thus begins the Trials of Time. 'Tis a life of hatred a suffering, but after all of these, true love will be found nestled in your arms. A curse of love to be said in verse by two lovers brought upon by society's uncaring hearth. Three times in time, three lives again and again. Yet in the 4th they will be together. Neither verse nor curse could break a vow so deep."
Kaede felt his head whirling again and he closed his eyes to steady himself. When he opened them again, however, he found himself staring into the worried brown eyes of a redheaded woman.
He felt his breath catch in his throat, as the girl smiled and checked his pulse.
Then, as she inched away from him, he found his voice and asked, "Did you...save my life?"
She giggled and handed him a mixture of herbs and spices which she instructed him to drink. "Do I look like a person who would hurt you?" she asked as Kaede accepted the medicine she offered.
"Drink that, so that your head will clear up quickly."
"Thank you," Kaede said.
"For what? For saving your life or for the medicine?"
"Both."
She smiled even wider and said, "It's all I could do in order to make up for what Coco did to you back in the forest."
"Coco?"
At that moment, Shadow, with Coco on his head entered the cave they were in.
"You!!" Kaede bellowed as he stood up and pointed an accusing finger at the brown monkey. Frightened, Coco ran towards the redhead.
The redhead frowned at Kaede as she gently carried the frightened monkey into her arms. "Dear sir, my pet Coco is already sorry for what he did to you. He did not mean to injure you so. If you continue to be angered by the presence of my companion, then I suggest you leave immediately."
Surprised at the quick change from sweet and concerned to scolding of the redhead's tone, Kaede sat down again. But, as he sat, the sharp pain at the back of his head came back again. And the redhead immediately noticed he clearly etched pain on the prince's face.
She was immediately by his side, anger completely forgotten and replaced with genuine worry.
"Drink this hurry,' she instructed, indicating the bowl of herbs on Kaede's hand. "Or else you're going to lose consciousness again."
"It..."
"Oh it's not poison," said the girl, growing impatient. She dipped her finger into the bowl and put her finger into the mouth. "See? It's not poisoned. Drink it now!"
Surprised at the sudden urgency in the redhead's tone, and thoroughly convinced that it wasn't poisoned, Kaede drank down the herbal mixture. It tasted bitter but Kaede didn't care.
After drinking, he put the bowl down and the redhead smiled warmly at him. "Feel any better now?"
"I...I..." Kaede was tongue tied. The bitter tasting medicine had cleared his head in an instant. "Yes, I ...thank you."
"Your welcome."
Sensing Kaede's return to health, Shadow rushed back to his master's side. With Shadow back at his side, Kaede was overjoyed. "Shadow!" he exclaimed, hugging the fox and the fox lapping at its master's face to express its joy at seeing him well again.
The redhead cleared her throat to get his attention and Kaede looked at her with a raised brow, as if asking "What now?"
"Forgive me for my rudeness for interrupting your reunion. But could you please tell me who you are?"
"Oh!" Kaede exclaimed. "I forgot, forgive me dear Lady. My name is Kaede, Prince Kaede of the Han dynasty."
"Prince?!" the girl almost choked on her words. She was immediately on her feet and was about to run away, but Kaede reached out to grasp her arm and held her in place.
"Let me go!" she screamed, trying in vain to pull free from the prince's firm grasp.
"But I must know your name," said the prince, softly, tenderly. "Please, just tell me your name."
The girl calmed down and faced him, but a stubborn frown creased her forehead, indicating that she was ready to run away anytime. "You won't kill me?" she asked slowly and carefully.
Kaede had no idea why she would say that. "Why would I?"
"Just answer me!"
"I won't," he finally said. But the look on the redhead's face told him that she didn't believe what he just said. "I won't kill you, I swear upon my honor as a prince. Now please tell me who you are."
The girl took a deep breath and said, "My name is Hanamichi, Princess Hanamichi, niece of the leader of the Siong Nu (Siong Nu - name of one of the northern tribes/barbarians who wanted to invade China during the early dynasties.).
"Now that wasn't so hard, was it Hanamichi?"
Hanamichi just blinked at the prince's reaction to the revelation.
Kaede chuckled at Hanamichi's reaction. He sat down on the floor of the cave and so did Hanamichi s the prince explained, "Our peoples are archenemies but that does not make us enemies, does it?"
Hanamichi's smile returned to her face. "I have enough reason to believe that we will become good friends. But you must leave now. You've been asleep for God knows how long and it's almost sunset. I can already imagine your company becoming sick with worry right at this moment, maj..."
"Kaede," the prince corrected.
"...Kaede then. Bring Coco with you, he knows his way through this forest and will guide you to the place where we stay. Your stallion is already waiting for you outside this cave."
"Thank you," said the prince and with a smooth arm gesture, held up Hanamichi's hand and kissed it gently. He looked up at her with a smile, gently blue eyes meeting warm brown ones, and Hanamichi blushed at the intensity of his gaze. "I look forward to meeting you again Hana..." said the prince as he let go of her hand and left the cave.
He found his stallion outside the cave, just as Hanamichi had said. It was already saddled and ready for riding.
Prince Kaede hoisted himself up onto the stallion, with Coco perched attentively on his shoulder. The prince, no longer angered by the past antics of the rather mischievous monkey, reached up and scratched Coco's chin. "I trust you will be able to lead me back to our camp and to come back tomorrow to lead me to your mistress?" he asked the monkey gently, smiling at it.
The monkey looked at him and chirped in delight.
"I take that as a yes," said Kaede, satisfied.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Where is he?!"
"Calm down Prince Kiminobu," said Lady Kenji worriedly.
Prince Kiminobu heeded no one, and this attitude only made Princess Akira irritated. "Kiminobu," she said in a soft yet scolding tone. "I treat you as a brother younger than I am and not as the crown prince of our dynasty. Therefore it is my responsibility to make sure that you will not become such a restless and impatient soon to be emperor. So will you PLEASE STOP PACING AROUND THE ROOM?!"
Kiminobu stopped in his tracks. This was the first time he had ever heard his ever patient sister raise her voice.
When he stopped, Princess Akira took a deep breath, calmed down and sat back down on her chair. "Do you think you're the only one who's worried about Kaede?"
The sun had just set and everyone in the camp was already worried about the welfare of their "little" prince.
"The young prince usually comes home late even in the capital," said Gen. Shinichi. "I think he is jut up to his usual mischief."
"Kaede does not have any mischief general," said the princess tiredly.
"And that was in the capital," said Kiminobu. "This is a forest, for goodness sake general! Hisashi and Ryota still aren't back but Gen. Toru is with them! At least I can be sure that they are safe."
"I am sure that Prince Kaede can take care of himself," assured Lady Souichirou.
"But still...!"
"Kaede is no longer a boy Kiminobu," said Akira, rubbing her temples, her brows furrowed. Obviously, the younger prince's disappearance was also putting pressure on her. She looked at her brother and said, "Kaede will not allow himself to get lost or hurt Kiminobu. I know him, and I know how high his pride can get. And being lost or hurt is something his pride will never allow."
"But Akira...!"
"Enough is enough Kiminobu," she said softly. "You know Kaede more than anyone. And that is more than enough reason for you to know that he will be okay, whatever the circumstance. Trust me on this brother."
Kiminobu was about to counter her again, but the look in Akira's eyes stopped him. Never had he seen her look so worried in all his life. Worry, perhaps even greater than his, for their youngest brother.
Kiminobu approached his sister and sat down beside her. "Tuay bu tzi ta tzie (I'm so sorry sis). I had no intention to anger you so." He held her hand and smiled at her, "Yes, I understand what you mean. I'll trust Kaede to come back to us."
Akira looked at her brother and returned his smile. "Thanks Kiminobu." She turned to Lady Kenji and asked, "Changing the subject, Lady Kenji how is the lieutenant?"
"Hiroaki?" Lady Kenji asked, surprised at the sudden change of subject. "He is resting in his tent princess. He fainted a while back because of fatigue, there is nothing to be worried about."
"I'm glad. Is it alright to go see him?"
"Yes, I guess it won't do him any harm."
The princess stood up and addressed the gathering, "Please excuse me, I must go see the lieutenant now." She then curtsied and left the gathering.
"Well," said Lady Souichirou as soon as the princess left. "It seems as though the princess has finally allowed herself to be caught."
Kiminobu was about to say something but was stopped by the sound of an approaching horse.
Gen. Shinichi was on the alert immediately. He unsheathed his sword and stood before everyone. A tense silence followed.
But as the newcomer's face came into view, they recognized him immediately.
"Kaede!" Kiminobu exclaimed, as he wrapped his arms around his younger brother as the latter stepped off the saddle. "We were so worried about you!" The crown prince let him go and examined him from head to toe. "Kaede what happened to you?" he asked as he noticed the rumpled and dirtied clothes of Kaede.
"I fell off the horse but I'm fine now Kiminobu," Kaede assured his brother. He smiled at the worried prince and asked, "Why were you so worried brother? It's not the first time that I came back late."
"Still," argued Kiminobu. "This is a forest, not the imperial capital. How could you be sure that you won't get hurt?! Take this for example..."
"Kiminobu," said Kaede as he held his brother by the shoulders and shook him. "Shadow is by my side and I fell off the horse because of my own carelessness. It has nothing to do with me traveling on my own."
"I know," Kiminobu said softly. He looked up at Kaede with warm brown eyes and said with a chuckle, "I always seem to forget that you are no longer my baby brother."
"I will always be your baby brother, Kiminobu."
"But you've already grown up so much, you're even taller than I am now. Oh well, go on, you need your rest. I don't doubt you would prefer to leave alone again tomorrow?"
"You know me too well Kiminobu, sometimes too well for comfort. Well, goodnight, I'm going back to my tent now." Kaede smiled and left, after giving a courteous bow to Gen. Shinichi, Lady Kenji and Lady Souichirou.
As soon as he was out of his companions' sight, Kaede pulled Coco out of his pocket. "Sorry for that," he apologized to the very irritated monkey. "How could I explain to them that I found you in the forest?" He scratched the monkey's chin and soon it calmed down.
Kaede entered his tent and said to Coco, "Remember this is my tent. Come back here for me tomorrow before the sun rises in the east."
The monkey then left the tent to go back to his redheaded mistress.
Kaede rested his tired body on the soft cushions of his bed. "Hanamichi..." he whispered before drifting off into sleep to dream of no one else but the redhead whom he had just met a few hours ago.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Princess Akira strode through the camp in long quick strides until she finally reached Lt. Hiroaki's tent.
Taking a deep breath, the princess entered the tent.
Inside the tent, Akira found the lieutenant in bed, resting. She sat down on a stool beside the bed and gently whispered, "Ni shi ke ta sha kua ya (You are so stupid). Why did you neglect yourself?"
Lt. Hiroaki slowly opened his eyes and tried to sit up. But the princess stopped him and said, "Don't try to stand up yet lieutenant."
He resumed his position, and smiled at the princess, "What brings you here Princess?"
"I came to visit you."
"Why? I am but a lieutenant in your father's army."
"Yet, you hold a special place here in my heart," the princes replied without hesitation. And heedless to the surprised stare the lieutenant gave her, she continued, "I'm sorry if I made you wait for such a long time Hiroaki. It's just that I ...I..."
Tears ad started to form in the princess' eyes, "I made you wait for so long..."
Hiroaki reached out to wipe her tears, "Don't cry now princess..."
"Akira," she corrected him.
"Akira then," the lieutenant said. "It was worth the wait Akira, I love you so much."
tbc