Notes: Yay, I'm finally writing more of this! ^_^; Someone complained about the lack of Taichi and Yamato in this story so far, and I just felt like letting my readers know that Taichi and Yamato will not be showing up until Part Two of the story. So, I've still gotta finish up Part One. However, that won't be taking too long. Another chapter or two, I'd say. Now, as to how long that'll take me to get out, I don't know. ^_^; I'm getting better about this, though.
This is the best appearance that Human Ken gets in the story so far! Yay Human Ken!
Disclaimer: Once again, I don't own any of these characters or their personalities…except for the bartender, who I made up on my own. I didn't make up the name, though. I stole that from a web page that had Japanese boys' names on it. ^_^;
Bewitching the Dragon
Part One -- Chapter Six
By: Hanae Michiko
===============
Daisuke awoke mid-afternoon, about six hours after he'd snuck back into bed after visiting Ken, and stretched his cramped muscles. Miyako was no where in the room when he woke up, and he wondered briefly if she had any idea that he'd snuck out of the room to see Ken the night before.
Deciding that he was too tired to worry about anything at the moment, he turned over on his side and tried to get back to sleep. His attempt was ruined when Miyako burst into the room, demanding that Daisuke get out of bed and ready for a full day of work. After all, as her husband and fellow hut-mate, he was expected to provide for the both of them, and Ken since he was temporarily rooming in their home.
Daisuke groaned and reluctantly dragged himself out of bed to have breakfast and get ready for the long day he had ahead of him.
"First of all, we're running low on food. I need you to go to the market and pick up some milk, eggs, cheese, bread, and chicken. Then, you have to go find a job. You'll need to make a living here in Tamachi. Come straight home afterwards. I'll need you to do some more chores when you return."
It was hot out…hotter than Daisuke ever remembered it being. Maybe Tamachi was in a slightly different climate zone…he didn't know. But what he did know was that it was going to be a long trek to the market. He wondered what Sora would think when she received news that the dragon had disappeared and so had her best knight. Maybe she'd think they'd killed each other. Or maybe she'd send out a search party. The russet-haired boy wondered if he should write to Sora and explain her predicament, or maybe just hint at it so she wouldn't come rushing to Tamachi to rescue him so that Ken would remain safe.
With a sigh, Daisuke thought that maybe everything was turning out for the best. Jun always wanted little nieces and nephews…wanted her little brother to settle down with a nice woman and have a family. Not that she would have objected to Daisuke falling in love with a nicer man. But what would he have done if he and Ken could've ended up together in the end? Would he live with Ken and leave his hometown, his sister, his job and responsibility? Or would Ken go back to Tokyo with him, abandoning his hometown, job, and responsibility? There was too much to sacrifice either way. It wouldn't have worked.
What would Jun think when Daisuke didn't return home? Would she think he was dead? Would she go looking for him? Would she and Sora combine their powers to save him?
Would they care that much?
Maybe he'd consult Miyako about it. He didn't want anything to be ruined…he just wanted Ken to be safe.
For the time being, he was just going to have to enjoy Ken as much as he could before the prince had to return home. Daisuke would live the rest of his life with bittersweet memories of Ken keeping him alive.
After what had seemed like the better part of the day, Daisuke managed to walk right into the marketplace. He spotted a small pub and decided that a drink was immediately more important than shopping.
Entering the pub, Daisuke found himself wishing he were walking into the inn that the young Iori Hida had owned. Something about those deep green eyes had been very comforting. He could imagine that Iori's eyes had been what had first attracted Takeru to the boy. Smiling wryly, feeling both happy for the couple and jealous of them, Daisuke planted himself on a barstool and leaned exhaustedly against the counter top.
The pub was small, with an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendliness. To Daisuke, it didn't seem like the place that saw many drunken brawls. On the contrary, it felt warm…comfortably warm…and Daisuke let himself sink into the ambiance, enjoying the smells and sounds.
"What can I get you?" a middle-aged man asked, smiling down at Daisuke.
"Whatever you recommend," the knight drawled.
He didn't feel much like thinking or making his own decisions. The bartender smiled knowingly behind his bushy beard and grabbed a large glass that he filled to the brim with a dark amber liquid. The drink slid smoothly down Daisuke's throat, cool, refreshing, and pretty sweet in taste. A long, relieved sigh followed, and the bartender leaned over to look Daisuke straight in the eye.
"On the house," he said matter-of-factly, not leaving any room for protest.
Daisuke smiled and slowly savored his drink, the pub, the few moments he had to relax…
"You didn't come all the way out here just for a drink, did you?" the bartender asked Daisuke as he dried a glass for future use.
"Nah," the redhead said, shaking his head. "Running some errands."
"Ahh, I see," said the bartender. "Well, my name's Ra-zu. I own this place, so whenever you're in the area, please stop by. Though next time, you'll probably have to pay. But I might be inclined to give you a discount."
Daisuke took Ra-zu's outstretched hand and shook it emphatically, excited to be meeting a new person.
"I'm Daisuke. Nice to meet you!"
"Nice to meet you, too, Daisuke-san. Remember, if you need anything…a drink, a place to relax, a listening ear…feel free to stop by any time."
Daisuke finished off his drink and grinned, feeling significantly better for having met someone so kind and understanding. He didn't imagine he was going to experience a lot of kindness and understanding in his new position.
"Words fail to express how grateful I am. Thanks, Ra-zu-san."
"Anytime. And just call me Ra-zu."
Daisuke got up to leave and smiled broadly.
"Sure thing, Ra-zu."
Once outside the pub, the air didn't feel so hot and muggy. There seemed to be a light breeze, and Daisuke had nearly forgotten why he'd started the day off so negatively.
The market was only a few paces down from the pub, and Daisuke began cheerfully picking out the groceries Miyako had requested of him before he thought to himself that the more logical way of going about his chores would be to get a job first. The first job prospect that came to mind was working in Ra-zu's pub. Ra-zu recognized him immediately when he walked back in.
"Daisuke-san! How can I help you? You didn't come back in here to pay, did you?" he asked good-humoredly as the knight approached the bar.
"Actually…" Daisuke said, smiling slyly. "I was wondering if there are any positions open…for a job."
Ra-zu seemed pleased and flattered that such a strapping young man would desire work in his pub.
"Absolutely, Daisuke-san. When can you start?"
"Tomorrow, most likely. That is, if you call me Daisuke."
"Sure thing, Daisuke."
* * * * *
Miyako had been vastly disapproving of Daisuke's new job, but, upon realizing she had no control over what kind of employment opportunities her new husband took, she sent him out to do some yard work for the remainder of the evening. Ken stayed locked up in his room the entire day and Daisuke wondered how Miyako thought he was going to get healthy if he wasn't allowed out. On the other hand, Daisuke figured he'd be pleased if Ken got to stay longer.
The knight found himself itching for his sword, for the familiar grounds of his home training area. He wished longingly for Mimi to come up behind him and tell him Sora had an important assignment for him. And he wondered what kind of reward was in store for him at the moment. After all, he'd gotten rid of the dragon, hadn't he? He hadn't slain it, as per request, but it was no longer terrorizing Tamachi.
He laughed, remembering the time Sora had tried to offer him a date with a pretty young girl as incentive to go on an assignment for her. He had found a very clever way of deterring her from the idea, claiming to be chivalrous and noble and saying he would never approve of treating a woman like an object in such a way. Whether or not he'd have been willing to treat a man like an object in such a way was a puzzle Daisuke had never really figured out. He supposed it would've depended on the man.
Weeding Miyako's overgrown vegetable garden proved very therapeutic and Daisuke actually relaxed as the evening progressed. By the time the sun had set and it was time for dinner, Daisuke had weeded most of the garden and had barely broken a sweat for all the work he had done.
Dinner, like the night before, was eaten in complete, uneasy silence. Unlike the previous night, however, Daisuke spent the mealtime carefully formulating his plan for much later that night and grew more and more anxious the later the night became. His stomach churned nervously and his appetite shrunk to near-nonexistence. Now that he would finally have the free time to enact his plan, he grew uncertain and edgy. Would Miyako let him carry out the inconspicuous aspects of his plan? Would it all work out? Would Miyako catch on?
When he finally finished his meal, he stood to excuse himself.
"Miyako," he began.
"Yes?"
"I would like to continue to train, keep physically fit and adept in my skills… I will be outside making some dummies so that I may do so."
He was careful to keep his voice even and steady and not to ask her for permission. He didn't want to put himself in a position where he'd easily be manipulated of oppressed. Miyako was not in charge of what he could and could not do as far as he was concerned, except for where it concerned Ken, and then it was only because he did not want to put Ken in any danger.
"Very well. Don't ruin anything."
Daisuke quickly left the house and sighed heavily once he was outside. Phase one of the plan was working fine so far. The knight gathered some materials from the surrounding woods and began constructing his dummies.
* * * * *
The moon was high in the sky, full and heavy and bright. It was all the illumination Daisuke needed to be able to see the straw dummies. He felt a sort of freedom and release when training, and being able to practice even here, in Tamachi, just outside of Miyako's home, was a comfort.
Daisuke fought hard, grip tight on the hilt of his sword, his movements graceful and precise. He thrust his sword forward, buried it deep into the chest of one of his dummies, where, in a man, there would have been a heart. Just as cleanly, he removed the sword and stepped forward once, pivoted, and sliced a head clear off another dummy's shoulders. Squatting close to the ground, Daisuke moved as if dodging an attack and lunged from his shortened stance at another dummy, jabbing his weapon into the dummy's gut. He stood, sure he had defeated every last one of the dummies, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Leaning over on one of the dummies, he took deep breaths to calm his adrenaline and relax himself.
When he heard the sounds of someone approaching, he raised his sword and readied himself for attack, the adrenaline still coursing through his system.
"Who's there?" he called out to the darkness.
"Daisuke…"
The knight's sword dropped and he ran excitedly to wear Ken stood.
"Ken!"
Ken smiled shyly, unsure of what to do with himself. Daisuke stood silently, also unsure of what to do with himself.
"So this was your plan?" Ken asked.
Daisuke nodded.
"Pretty genius, huh?"
Ken laughed softly.
"Well…if it works…" Daisuke offered, and Ken nodded.
"What's going to happen when you don't go back home, Daisuke?" Ken asked, suddenly concerned.
"I've thought about that myself…I really don't know…" he answered, bringing Ken with him to sit down.
Daisuke gazed at the sky for a moment before he felt a soft hand gently touch his own.
"Thank you…" Ken began, causing Daisuke to turn and look at him. "For all of this… If you had been anyone else, I probably would've been slain by now."
Daisuke almost frowned, but smiled at the thought that Ken hadn't, in fact, been slain. He scooted closer to Ken so their hips were touching. Ken bit his lip and blushed. Because he felt like he needed to be occupied somehow, he picked up a small twig from the ground and began twirling it between his fingers. Daisuke, eager to play, grabbed his own twig from the ground and held his up in front of his face.
"En garde!"
Ken grinned and poked Daisuke's arm with his twig.
"Hey, that was cheap!" Daisuke cried, leaning forward to poke Ken in the chest.
Ken blocked Daisuke's attack and scooted backwards so he wouldn't have such easy access. Both boys got to their knees and began sparring with their twigs, poking and parrying, attacking and blocking. Daisuke got in a jab at Ken's belly, but not before Ken managed to stab Daisuke in the thigh. Both boys went for each other at the same time and clashed their twigs against each other.
"Not bad for a prince," Daisuke teased when Ken almost knocked Daisuke's twig from his hand.
"You're pretty lousy for a knight," Ken taunted back, poking Daisuke in the shoulder.
Both boys laughed when they managed to poke each other in the same spot on their chests at the same time. However, when Ken jabbed Daisuke's arm and his twig broke in half, Daisuke doubled over with laughter.
"I win!" he announced.
"You think so, huh?" Ken challenged, throwing his broken weapon to the side.
The navy-haired boy lunged forward and grabbed Daisuke by the wrists.
"Hey!" Daisuke laughed, trying to wrench his wrists free of Ken's surprisingly strong grip. "That's not fair!"
"Since when did we have rules?" Ken asked with a grin, wrestling Daisuke into a strange backwards-leaning position.
"I…don't…know!"
Daisuke let out one last yelp before losing his balance and toppling backwards onto the ground, Ken landing heavily on top of him.
"Oof!"
"Sorry…" Ken said softly. Daisuke was about to tell him he had no reason to be sorry, but Ken interrupted him with, "I think I won."
Daisuke lip curled in a playful threat and he flipped the two of them so he had Ken pinned to the ground beneath him.
"Well, I don't think so."
Ken flushed, his sudden awareness of Daisuke's weight on top of him making his cheeks red with embarrassment.
Daisuke smiled sweetly and leaned forward to give Ken a chaste, simple kiss on the tip of his nose before rolling off of him. He stayed on his side, leaning his head on his hand, his elbow on the ground, supporting his head, watching Ken's face slowly become a deeper shade of red. The lavender-eyed boy turned his face to look at Daisuke and leaned forward to touch his lips to Daisuke's.
Time seemed to slow down in anticipation of their kiss. Daisuke's eyes slid closed slowly, and all he could hear was his pulse thundering in his ears. He felt Ken's soft breath on his lips and then he almost felt the other boy's lips touch his…
But Ken let out a startled gasp that was echoed by his own, and the two pulled apart sharply at a noise they heard coming from the hut.
"Miyako…"
~End Chapter Six~
