AN: I know I said these chapters are dedicated to Del, Dia and Tiranth,
but I'm adding a new name, pruningshears because she has been a great and
enthusiastic reviewer to me for so long, and because her last review gave
me ideas for some of the material in this chapter. So for everyone who
wanted to know more about Francesca's family-read on!
Sorry I didn't get this out yesterday, I was kidnapped for the afternoon by one of my housemates who thought I spent too much time in front of the computer *crosses arms* Feh!
Disclaimer: I don't own bumkiss, I'm a poor, broke, struggling to pay my rent college student who is desperately awaiting her financial aid check *prays to the postman*
Chapter 22
It took some effort, mostly because all the servants were extremely busy with preparations for tomorrow's dinner, and preparing rooms for the guests, but I finally found one who knew where Rin was. I felt rather foolish, running around like this, and probably scaring them as well, but if my idea was going to work, I needed to get ready and time was running out.
I found Rin looking over some bolts of materials, and she smiled as I entered.
"Perfect, I was just going to send for you, what do you think of this color for your kimono for tomorrow?"
"Actually Rin, I need to speak to you, alone," I said softly and she nodded, motioning to a servant who bowed and quickly scurried out. She took a seat gracefully on the floor and suddenly I could see that she had indeed grown up in this life, she carried herself as I imagined a noblewoman would, without the arrogance and superiority that they might have.
"Is something wrong?" she asked concerned and I shook my head. "No, actually," I began to laugh, surprising myself," everything is wonderful, which is why I need to speak to you. I promised Keitaro I would dance for him tomorrow night, at the dinner. But, I have two problems, the music is from my time, and I have no way of playing it here."
Rin looked pensive for a moment, before a thought crossed her mind, "I know, Father always brings in the most skilled musicians in his land for these big events. It's almost as much of a power and prestige show for him as the duels he takes on. I know they arrived this morning, perhaps you can speak to them and see if they can help you out."
"But I have no written music-" I began and she shook her head, "Believe me, this is not a problem. Father is always hosting some foreign power or another, and they always wish to hear music from their home. These musicians are amazing in the way they can hear a tune, any tune, and know how to play it. Show them your music, perhaps they can do the same."
"Rin, you are a genius," I exclaimed and she smiled brightly.
"Why thank you. What was your other problem?"
I laughed, because the words seemed so odd for me to say," I haven't a thing to wear." She smiled and clapped her hands quickly, summoning the servant who was just in the room.
"We were just discussing that," she said, and I shook my head, "No, I can't dance something from my-land in clothing from here, it would look out of place. I need something that I would wear there. But we don't have much time."
"Lady," spoke up the servant, a young woman probably no older than me, "That will not be a problem," she said before blushing and looking away.
Rin nodded, "Megahna often makes impossible and irrational clothing requests of her seamstresses that need to be completed in a short time. They work fast and are excellent at what they do." I nodded and looked around, "Do you have some pape-parchment, and maybe something to write with?"
Both were quickly summoned and I looked worriedly at the brush, I had never tried drawing with a brush before. I carefully dipped it in the ink, and drew out the clothing I would need. The servant looked at it, and her eyes widened.
"But Lady, this-" she blushed and I also flushed with embarrassment, but Rin quickly spoke up, "You heard Francesca-sama, this is the customary clothing for dance in her land, and it would be improper for her to present this dance in anything but such."
"Yes hime-sama," the servant whispered meekly, "What would the Lady like the color to be?"
I closed my eyes and thought for a moment. I did want it to be in red, but it seemed almost too flashy, too much. I eyed the red fabric laid out on the table before me, and fingered it gently. It was the same color as Keitaro's robes, and felt just as soft and warm.
"The Lady has good taste," the servant commented and Rin laughed softly. I blinked at her as she smiled, "It's fire rat fur." I stared down at it, gently rubbing it between my fingers. The servant watched me a moment, then turned and reached into a large chest, pulling out a neatly folded pile of red material. She laid it over the fire rat cloth and smiled.
"I cannot make your clothing from the fire rat, however this material is the same color and texture, and I have enough to make both items you have requested, in fact if I may," she took up the brush and made a few quick lines.
"I know perhaps this varies from your native dress, but if the Lady would permit me, I think this dress would make you the envy of all the court assembled, without causing too much uproar."
I stared at the drawing, and a smile crept up on my lips, "This is perfect, thank you!" She smiled, and bowed, "Anything to help the Lady," she said, and gathered up the material and hurried out of the room.
Rin lead me to the room where the musicians were, tuning up their instruments. We had passed by my room where I had picked up my Discman and they all gathered around, tilting their heads to the cuffs as I played the song. After a moment, they bowed their heads together, speaking softly. Their leader, perhaps the oldest of the gathering bowed before speaking.
"Lady, such magic we have never seen before, but such music we can play." I sighed softly, a great weight taken off my shoulders.
"Perhaps the Lady will permit us to hold onto her magical box for the rest of the day, so that we may further study this song, and prepare to our fullest."
"Oh, of course," I said, and showed him how to turn it on, and how to reach the right song. He bowed again, "I shall return this to you before the sun rests tonight," he said solemnly. I bowed as well, and felt much better than I had in a long time. "Please, make sure you keep this hidden from Lord Keitaro until tomorrow, it is a surprise." He nodded, "Oh Lady, one more question if I may. There is a woman who sings in the magical box, but we have non who understand her speech."
I nodded, "Aye, the speech is of my land, and I will be the one singing it." He nodded, "As the Lady wishes," he said bowing, and something behind his tone caught my attention.
"Do not worry sir, I can sing well enough, and I promise I will not embarrass your great talents with horrible singing," I said softly and he looked shocked.
"Lady, I would never speak-" he began and I smiled. "I am not offended, any musician true to his craft would think such things. I myself learned how to play an instrument, and sing with a group once. I understand what you were thinking and you were correct in doing so, that is how I know you will treat my request with the utmost care, because your profession is so precious to you."
He bowed again, and I in return, and left them to their work. Rin walked beside me silently, "All this work, just to tell Keitaro something. Are you sure that perhaps just telling him isn't the better way?"
I shook my head, "No, he specifically asked for my dance, and besides he will understand the meaning in the dance, and perhaps only he will understand it."
She shook her head, "I don't understand it, of that I am certain, but to each their own. If you'll excuse me, I have to go finish some things." I nodded and started to bow, but she laughed warmly and quickly hugged me.
"So much bowing, I told you that you don't have to be so formal with me," she said chuckling before releasing me. I nodded and she left. I made my own way back to my room, having become quite familiar with the surroundings, and I slid the door open, eager to get some quiet time to myself, for however long it would last. The sight that awaited me when I opened that door, was something I wasn't expecting. Maeko and Naoko, arms wrapped around each other, exchanging what looked like a very intense kiss. I coughed politely.
Maeko flushed furiously and pulled away from Naoko's embrace like she was stung and he just stared at me.
"We weren't-"Maeko quickly defended and I smiled, closing the door behind me.
"Easy there, I'm not saying anything," I whispered, "Just be glad that I wasn't Keitaro, or your parents." She blushes deeper and looked down at her feet.
"Francesca-sama," Naoko began and I lifted a hand to silence him. "Naoko, you don't have to say anything. You forget, I come from a different time and place, and so my views of right and wrong are much different than yours. And this isn't wrong, for two people who love each other." They both blinked at me, and I laughed.
"I noticed it before, I was actually wondering how you managed to keep it from everyone."
Maeko blushed, "We are always working together, so his scent on me was never questioned by my family." I nodded and took my seat on my futon, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." Maeko looked relieved, and Naoko bowed, but I just laughed softly, "Just be a little more careful next time. You can't be that lucky all the time, just let me know how I can help."
They both looked a little flustered and speechless for a moment before Naoko gently kissed Maeko tenderly, "I best return to my room, before Kaemon comes looking for me, I will see you this evening." Maeko nodded shyly and watched him leave, slowly sitting down on her futon as the door closed with a sigh.
I just watched the younger woman, a smile on my face, and the warmth that ran over my skin like water. For all the hell that being an Empath had caused me over the years, my greatest reward for my trials was to be able to experience love through someone else. Being around those truly in love was like the feeling of a warm blanket on a cold night, comforting and serene. It was the only thing I treasured about my abilities, especially after I closed off my heart and forbid myself from even feeling that for myself.
A soft knock sounded on our door, and Maeko responded before me. It slid open and I saw Keitaro standing there, looking-well, looking rather like a lost puppy for lack of a better analogy. I smiled softly and Maeko nodded motioning for him to enter.
"I-I wish to speak to Francesca alone for a little, if that is alright with you Sister." Maeko nodded quickly, "I will keep watch of Kohana then, I'm sure she's driving someone crazy by now."
Now it was I who watched the door close, before looking to Keitaro, who seemed unnaturally shy. I motioned for him to come and sit, which he did, on his sister's futon.
"What's troubling you Kei," I asked softly and saw his ears twitch at my voice.
"I-" he paused for a moment before speaking clearly, as if he had to truly gather courage to speak to me, "I wished to spend some time with you, before all this madness starts. I know that tonight and all of tomorrow it will be difficult to speak with you without everyone keeping eyes and ears on me. Is it alright with you?"
I smiled and nodded, I could tell that he was just as nervous about all this as me. Watching him there, his hands resting on his knees, his body very stiff, I realized that he was completely new to this, to courting, to even having a woman around to speak with that wasn't of some sort of relationship to him, and I knew he didn't like feeling uncomfortable.
"What is it that you wanted to talk about?" I said softly, and he looked away for a moment.
"I wanted to hear more about your life-over there," he replied so softly that I almost didn't understand him.
"Kei, you have my memories, you don't have to ask me anything you don't already know," I said and he snapped at me, his eyes burning gold.
"I know that, and I- I don't like it. I want to hear from you. It's not natural to have all this in my head, I should only know what you want me to know, so I want to hear you say it. I want to be able to court you, like a normal person." My eyes widened at this, I never thought he would feel that way, that perhaps he would treasure our special circumstances, as an advantage. But then again, isn't that what he wanted the most, to be normal.
"Alright," I said, sitting comfortably, "What do you want to know?" His eyes still burned with anxiety, which could almost be mistaken for anger, as he mumbled.
"I was thinking about what you told me this morning, about how you always followed my parent's adventures, but you have never spoken about your own family. I-I would like to know about them," he whispered.
I felt shocked," My family?" He nodded slowly and looked off to the side, "I'm sure they must be worried about you by now, do you think of them?"
I smiled softly, and nodded, "I think of them often, look." I leaned over to reach into my backpack and pull out the small plastic flipbook of pictures that I always carried with me. He moved closer to me, "Oh! Miniature portraits!" I smiled, "They're called photos, and they can be made into all sorts of sizes. These are called wallet sized, because they fit into wallets, what we call coin purses." I flipped it open, and pulled out the last family portrait we had taken, now starting to yellow with time on the edges.
"This was taken when I was 11, the last time we took a picture together," I said and handed it to him. He stared at it intensely, not moving in the least as if he did, they would disappear. "You look so different," he finally said, looking from the picture to my face and back again. I smiled, "Yes, I suppose that growing up changes you some," but he shook his head," No, your eyes."
I blinked confused, "Your eyes in this picture are young, and there's a life in them, joy. Your eyes now don't look like that anymore."
I flinched, as if he had reached out and slapped me. He just watched my reaction before his own eyes narrowed, and they began to glow, "He did that to you, didn't he? He took your joy, and your happiness from you, didn't he?!" The air around him became so hot, that I began to find it hard to breath. I reached over and placed my hand on his, "No, he didn't. I mean, he was part of it, but there were a great many things else that did it." He watched me a moment, before looking down at the picture.
"Your mother and father?" he asked, touching the two adult faces with the tip of his finger. I nodded, and he glanced at me curiously, "You have the same eyes as your mother, but you have your father's face." I smiled, "So I'm told." He looked at them again, "But your hair, isn't like theirs."
I nodded, "My father's father had red hair, rather like Shippou's actually, but my father's mother had blond hair, like my father. I got the brown from my mother, and the red from my father, and-" I lifted some of my hair with the back of my hand, letting it fall over one shoulder. He looked confused, "But your father didn't have the red," he began, and I smiled, "Oh, but he did. You can't see in that picture, because he used to shave, but when he grew hair on his face, it was really red. He looked funny." I laughed softly. He glanced down at the photograph with a surprised look on his face, and touched the third face. "Your brother?"
I smiled and nodded, "Yes, my younger brother, he'll be turning 22 soon. " I leaned forward, resting on my hands and knees as I looked at the picture. My cheek brushed the material of his sleeve, and a waft of his smell tickled my nose. I smiled softly, and that new warm feeling rushed over me. I blinked quickly and focused on the picture.
"He looks so little in that picture, but in actually he's taller than I am, and really skinny. He probably stands just a little taller than you, " I turned my head to look at Keitaro, who seemed to be studying the picture very intently, as if he was trying to see something else.
"What happened to them? Did they die?" he whispered and I blinked in surprise.
"No, no they're all very alive."
"Then why do you not have more portraits, newer ones," he asked, turning his head to look at me. I smiled faintly, "I do, but not of all of us together." The look in his eyes didn't seem to understand, so I leaned back on my knees, sitting up.
"In my world, sometimes families break up, because the parents cannot stand to be in each other's presence without arguing. Sometimes they split apart, because all the fighting does is hurt the children," I whispered.
"Mates who can leave each other?" he asked, and I nodded, "Yes, we don't have such a strong bond as youkai do I guess."
"And your mother and father decided such a thing?"
I nodded, "In the middle of the whole thing with - with him. I was 16 when they decided it. But I was luckier than some children, my father stayed in the same town, and I could see him whenever I wanted, so it was alright. And it didn't bother me so much, because I was tired of them fighting all the time, tired of all the anger. It was like coming home from a battle to find the enemy in your own home. I was always fighting with my empathy, and never able to find peace."
Keitaro looked down at the picture, and before I knew what was happening, he moved towards me with lightening speed, and was swept up in his arms. He held me close and whispered in my ear, "Never, never would I leave you like that."
I stared over his shoulder, completely in shock. He hugged me close to his chest, as if he were the one afraid that I'd leave him behind.
"Kei," I whispered softly and he came to, releasing me, a bright flush on his face. I just stared at him, as he looked away.
"Forgive me, that wasn't right," he stammered and I shook my head, "It's alright, I'm not mad." I reached over and grabbed the pictures, and this time decided to surprise him. I turned around and let myself fall backwards into his chest.
"Francesca?"
"Ah, much more comfortable, and this way, I can see the pictures as well to explain them," I said warmly. He felt tense behind me, before moving his legs so that they rested comfortably to either side of me. I turned the book to the next page, with a picture of two identical little girls.
"These are my salvation," I said softly, and he looked down at them, confused. "Your salvation?" "They were born a few years after I started my university schooling, to one of my best friends. I think when they were born, some hope was born with me. I love them like they were my own," I smiled down at the picture, and felt a pain in my heart, at the distance that was now between us.
Kei's free arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer, "You will see them again, I promise you." I smiled and quickly wiped at my eyes as I turned to the next pictures, more recent snapshots that I took with my camera of my parents and my brother. Kei simply smiled and held me close as I talked about my life, growing up in so many different places, of my friends and my life until I came to Tokyo. He didn't say a word, just listened, and I could feel the warmth of his smile cover me. It was the first time, in a long time, that I felt completely at peace, like the world and all our troubles were behind us.
Of course it was too good to be true, because we heard footsteps approaching, and Kei whispered, "I think that's for us." I sighed and painfully moved away from him, rising to my feet just as the door slid open. There was a servant there, kneeling beside the doorframe.
"Lord Keitaro, Lady," she paused and I knew my name was strange on her tongue, "Lord Sesshomaru requests your presence in the main room," Keitaro nodded and she shut the door, and hurried away. I glanced at him, "What could your uncle want?"
He shrugged and rose to his feet, "I don't know, but we should go and find out." He started walking towards the door and I stepped forward quickly and slipped my hand into his. He paused and glanced back at me, his eyes traveling down to where our hands were joined, before he smiled and continued walking, his hand tightly clasped in mine.
AN: Ignore the fact that I made a chapter break and keep reading ^_^
Sorry I didn't get this out yesterday, I was kidnapped for the afternoon by one of my housemates who thought I spent too much time in front of the computer *crosses arms* Feh!
Disclaimer: I don't own bumkiss, I'm a poor, broke, struggling to pay my rent college student who is desperately awaiting her financial aid check *prays to the postman*
Chapter 22
It took some effort, mostly because all the servants were extremely busy with preparations for tomorrow's dinner, and preparing rooms for the guests, but I finally found one who knew where Rin was. I felt rather foolish, running around like this, and probably scaring them as well, but if my idea was going to work, I needed to get ready and time was running out.
I found Rin looking over some bolts of materials, and she smiled as I entered.
"Perfect, I was just going to send for you, what do you think of this color for your kimono for tomorrow?"
"Actually Rin, I need to speak to you, alone," I said softly and she nodded, motioning to a servant who bowed and quickly scurried out. She took a seat gracefully on the floor and suddenly I could see that she had indeed grown up in this life, she carried herself as I imagined a noblewoman would, without the arrogance and superiority that they might have.
"Is something wrong?" she asked concerned and I shook my head. "No, actually," I began to laugh, surprising myself," everything is wonderful, which is why I need to speak to you. I promised Keitaro I would dance for him tomorrow night, at the dinner. But, I have two problems, the music is from my time, and I have no way of playing it here."
Rin looked pensive for a moment, before a thought crossed her mind, "I know, Father always brings in the most skilled musicians in his land for these big events. It's almost as much of a power and prestige show for him as the duels he takes on. I know they arrived this morning, perhaps you can speak to them and see if they can help you out."
"But I have no written music-" I began and she shook her head, "Believe me, this is not a problem. Father is always hosting some foreign power or another, and they always wish to hear music from their home. These musicians are amazing in the way they can hear a tune, any tune, and know how to play it. Show them your music, perhaps they can do the same."
"Rin, you are a genius," I exclaimed and she smiled brightly.
"Why thank you. What was your other problem?"
I laughed, because the words seemed so odd for me to say," I haven't a thing to wear." She smiled and clapped her hands quickly, summoning the servant who was just in the room.
"We were just discussing that," she said, and I shook my head, "No, I can't dance something from my-land in clothing from here, it would look out of place. I need something that I would wear there. But we don't have much time."
"Lady," spoke up the servant, a young woman probably no older than me, "That will not be a problem," she said before blushing and looking away.
Rin nodded, "Megahna often makes impossible and irrational clothing requests of her seamstresses that need to be completed in a short time. They work fast and are excellent at what they do." I nodded and looked around, "Do you have some pape-parchment, and maybe something to write with?"
Both were quickly summoned and I looked worriedly at the brush, I had never tried drawing with a brush before. I carefully dipped it in the ink, and drew out the clothing I would need. The servant looked at it, and her eyes widened.
"But Lady, this-" she blushed and I also flushed with embarrassment, but Rin quickly spoke up, "You heard Francesca-sama, this is the customary clothing for dance in her land, and it would be improper for her to present this dance in anything but such."
"Yes hime-sama," the servant whispered meekly, "What would the Lady like the color to be?"
I closed my eyes and thought for a moment. I did want it to be in red, but it seemed almost too flashy, too much. I eyed the red fabric laid out on the table before me, and fingered it gently. It was the same color as Keitaro's robes, and felt just as soft and warm.
"The Lady has good taste," the servant commented and Rin laughed softly. I blinked at her as she smiled, "It's fire rat fur." I stared down at it, gently rubbing it between my fingers. The servant watched me a moment, then turned and reached into a large chest, pulling out a neatly folded pile of red material. She laid it over the fire rat cloth and smiled.
"I cannot make your clothing from the fire rat, however this material is the same color and texture, and I have enough to make both items you have requested, in fact if I may," she took up the brush and made a few quick lines.
"I know perhaps this varies from your native dress, but if the Lady would permit me, I think this dress would make you the envy of all the court assembled, without causing too much uproar."
I stared at the drawing, and a smile crept up on my lips, "This is perfect, thank you!" She smiled, and bowed, "Anything to help the Lady," she said, and gathered up the material and hurried out of the room.
Rin lead me to the room where the musicians were, tuning up their instruments. We had passed by my room where I had picked up my Discman and they all gathered around, tilting their heads to the cuffs as I played the song. After a moment, they bowed their heads together, speaking softly. Their leader, perhaps the oldest of the gathering bowed before speaking.
"Lady, such magic we have never seen before, but such music we can play." I sighed softly, a great weight taken off my shoulders.
"Perhaps the Lady will permit us to hold onto her magical box for the rest of the day, so that we may further study this song, and prepare to our fullest."
"Oh, of course," I said, and showed him how to turn it on, and how to reach the right song. He bowed again, "I shall return this to you before the sun rests tonight," he said solemnly. I bowed as well, and felt much better than I had in a long time. "Please, make sure you keep this hidden from Lord Keitaro until tomorrow, it is a surprise." He nodded, "Oh Lady, one more question if I may. There is a woman who sings in the magical box, but we have non who understand her speech."
I nodded, "Aye, the speech is of my land, and I will be the one singing it." He nodded, "As the Lady wishes," he said bowing, and something behind his tone caught my attention.
"Do not worry sir, I can sing well enough, and I promise I will not embarrass your great talents with horrible singing," I said softly and he looked shocked.
"Lady, I would never speak-" he began and I smiled. "I am not offended, any musician true to his craft would think such things. I myself learned how to play an instrument, and sing with a group once. I understand what you were thinking and you were correct in doing so, that is how I know you will treat my request with the utmost care, because your profession is so precious to you."
He bowed again, and I in return, and left them to their work. Rin walked beside me silently, "All this work, just to tell Keitaro something. Are you sure that perhaps just telling him isn't the better way?"
I shook my head, "No, he specifically asked for my dance, and besides he will understand the meaning in the dance, and perhaps only he will understand it."
She shook her head, "I don't understand it, of that I am certain, but to each their own. If you'll excuse me, I have to go finish some things." I nodded and started to bow, but she laughed warmly and quickly hugged me.
"So much bowing, I told you that you don't have to be so formal with me," she said chuckling before releasing me. I nodded and she left. I made my own way back to my room, having become quite familiar with the surroundings, and I slid the door open, eager to get some quiet time to myself, for however long it would last. The sight that awaited me when I opened that door, was something I wasn't expecting. Maeko and Naoko, arms wrapped around each other, exchanging what looked like a very intense kiss. I coughed politely.
Maeko flushed furiously and pulled away from Naoko's embrace like she was stung and he just stared at me.
"We weren't-"Maeko quickly defended and I smiled, closing the door behind me.
"Easy there, I'm not saying anything," I whispered, "Just be glad that I wasn't Keitaro, or your parents." She blushes deeper and looked down at her feet.
"Francesca-sama," Naoko began and I lifted a hand to silence him. "Naoko, you don't have to say anything. You forget, I come from a different time and place, and so my views of right and wrong are much different than yours. And this isn't wrong, for two people who love each other." They both blinked at me, and I laughed.
"I noticed it before, I was actually wondering how you managed to keep it from everyone."
Maeko blushed, "We are always working together, so his scent on me was never questioned by my family." I nodded and took my seat on my futon, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." Maeko looked relieved, and Naoko bowed, but I just laughed softly, "Just be a little more careful next time. You can't be that lucky all the time, just let me know how I can help."
They both looked a little flustered and speechless for a moment before Naoko gently kissed Maeko tenderly, "I best return to my room, before Kaemon comes looking for me, I will see you this evening." Maeko nodded shyly and watched him leave, slowly sitting down on her futon as the door closed with a sigh.
I just watched the younger woman, a smile on my face, and the warmth that ran over my skin like water. For all the hell that being an Empath had caused me over the years, my greatest reward for my trials was to be able to experience love through someone else. Being around those truly in love was like the feeling of a warm blanket on a cold night, comforting and serene. It was the only thing I treasured about my abilities, especially after I closed off my heart and forbid myself from even feeling that for myself.
A soft knock sounded on our door, and Maeko responded before me. It slid open and I saw Keitaro standing there, looking-well, looking rather like a lost puppy for lack of a better analogy. I smiled softly and Maeko nodded motioning for him to enter.
"I-I wish to speak to Francesca alone for a little, if that is alright with you Sister." Maeko nodded quickly, "I will keep watch of Kohana then, I'm sure she's driving someone crazy by now."
Now it was I who watched the door close, before looking to Keitaro, who seemed unnaturally shy. I motioned for him to come and sit, which he did, on his sister's futon.
"What's troubling you Kei," I asked softly and saw his ears twitch at my voice.
"I-" he paused for a moment before speaking clearly, as if he had to truly gather courage to speak to me, "I wished to spend some time with you, before all this madness starts. I know that tonight and all of tomorrow it will be difficult to speak with you without everyone keeping eyes and ears on me. Is it alright with you?"
I smiled and nodded, I could tell that he was just as nervous about all this as me. Watching him there, his hands resting on his knees, his body very stiff, I realized that he was completely new to this, to courting, to even having a woman around to speak with that wasn't of some sort of relationship to him, and I knew he didn't like feeling uncomfortable.
"What is it that you wanted to talk about?" I said softly, and he looked away for a moment.
"I wanted to hear more about your life-over there," he replied so softly that I almost didn't understand him.
"Kei, you have my memories, you don't have to ask me anything you don't already know," I said and he snapped at me, his eyes burning gold.
"I know that, and I- I don't like it. I want to hear from you. It's not natural to have all this in my head, I should only know what you want me to know, so I want to hear you say it. I want to be able to court you, like a normal person." My eyes widened at this, I never thought he would feel that way, that perhaps he would treasure our special circumstances, as an advantage. But then again, isn't that what he wanted the most, to be normal.
"Alright," I said, sitting comfortably, "What do you want to know?" His eyes still burned with anxiety, which could almost be mistaken for anger, as he mumbled.
"I was thinking about what you told me this morning, about how you always followed my parent's adventures, but you have never spoken about your own family. I-I would like to know about them," he whispered.
I felt shocked," My family?" He nodded slowly and looked off to the side, "I'm sure they must be worried about you by now, do you think of them?"
I smiled softly, and nodded, "I think of them often, look." I leaned over to reach into my backpack and pull out the small plastic flipbook of pictures that I always carried with me. He moved closer to me, "Oh! Miniature portraits!" I smiled, "They're called photos, and they can be made into all sorts of sizes. These are called wallet sized, because they fit into wallets, what we call coin purses." I flipped it open, and pulled out the last family portrait we had taken, now starting to yellow with time on the edges.
"This was taken when I was 11, the last time we took a picture together," I said and handed it to him. He stared at it intensely, not moving in the least as if he did, they would disappear. "You look so different," he finally said, looking from the picture to my face and back again. I smiled, "Yes, I suppose that growing up changes you some," but he shook his head," No, your eyes."
I blinked confused, "Your eyes in this picture are young, and there's a life in them, joy. Your eyes now don't look like that anymore."
I flinched, as if he had reached out and slapped me. He just watched my reaction before his own eyes narrowed, and they began to glow, "He did that to you, didn't he? He took your joy, and your happiness from you, didn't he?!" The air around him became so hot, that I began to find it hard to breath. I reached over and placed my hand on his, "No, he didn't. I mean, he was part of it, but there were a great many things else that did it." He watched me a moment, before looking down at the picture.
"Your mother and father?" he asked, touching the two adult faces with the tip of his finger. I nodded, and he glanced at me curiously, "You have the same eyes as your mother, but you have your father's face." I smiled, "So I'm told." He looked at them again, "But your hair, isn't like theirs."
I nodded, "My father's father had red hair, rather like Shippou's actually, but my father's mother had blond hair, like my father. I got the brown from my mother, and the red from my father, and-" I lifted some of my hair with the back of my hand, letting it fall over one shoulder. He looked confused, "But your father didn't have the red," he began, and I smiled, "Oh, but he did. You can't see in that picture, because he used to shave, but when he grew hair on his face, it was really red. He looked funny." I laughed softly. He glanced down at the photograph with a surprised look on his face, and touched the third face. "Your brother?"
I smiled and nodded, "Yes, my younger brother, he'll be turning 22 soon. " I leaned forward, resting on my hands and knees as I looked at the picture. My cheek brushed the material of his sleeve, and a waft of his smell tickled my nose. I smiled softly, and that new warm feeling rushed over me. I blinked quickly and focused on the picture.
"He looks so little in that picture, but in actually he's taller than I am, and really skinny. He probably stands just a little taller than you, " I turned my head to look at Keitaro, who seemed to be studying the picture very intently, as if he was trying to see something else.
"What happened to them? Did they die?" he whispered and I blinked in surprise.
"No, no they're all very alive."
"Then why do you not have more portraits, newer ones," he asked, turning his head to look at me. I smiled faintly, "I do, but not of all of us together." The look in his eyes didn't seem to understand, so I leaned back on my knees, sitting up.
"In my world, sometimes families break up, because the parents cannot stand to be in each other's presence without arguing. Sometimes they split apart, because all the fighting does is hurt the children," I whispered.
"Mates who can leave each other?" he asked, and I nodded, "Yes, we don't have such a strong bond as youkai do I guess."
"And your mother and father decided such a thing?"
I nodded, "In the middle of the whole thing with - with him. I was 16 when they decided it. But I was luckier than some children, my father stayed in the same town, and I could see him whenever I wanted, so it was alright. And it didn't bother me so much, because I was tired of them fighting all the time, tired of all the anger. It was like coming home from a battle to find the enemy in your own home. I was always fighting with my empathy, and never able to find peace."
Keitaro looked down at the picture, and before I knew what was happening, he moved towards me with lightening speed, and was swept up in his arms. He held me close and whispered in my ear, "Never, never would I leave you like that."
I stared over his shoulder, completely in shock. He hugged me close to his chest, as if he were the one afraid that I'd leave him behind.
"Kei," I whispered softly and he came to, releasing me, a bright flush on his face. I just stared at him, as he looked away.
"Forgive me, that wasn't right," he stammered and I shook my head, "It's alright, I'm not mad." I reached over and grabbed the pictures, and this time decided to surprise him. I turned around and let myself fall backwards into his chest.
"Francesca?"
"Ah, much more comfortable, and this way, I can see the pictures as well to explain them," I said warmly. He felt tense behind me, before moving his legs so that they rested comfortably to either side of me. I turned the book to the next page, with a picture of two identical little girls.
"These are my salvation," I said softly, and he looked down at them, confused. "Your salvation?" "They were born a few years after I started my university schooling, to one of my best friends. I think when they were born, some hope was born with me. I love them like they were my own," I smiled down at the picture, and felt a pain in my heart, at the distance that was now between us.
Kei's free arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer, "You will see them again, I promise you." I smiled and quickly wiped at my eyes as I turned to the next pictures, more recent snapshots that I took with my camera of my parents and my brother. Kei simply smiled and held me close as I talked about my life, growing up in so many different places, of my friends and my life until I came to Tokyo. He didn't say a word, just listened, and I could feel the warmth of his smile cover me. It was the first time, in a long time, that I felt completely at peace, like the world and all our troubles were behind us.
Of course it was too good to be true, because we heard footsteps approaching, and Kei whispered, "I think that's for us." I sighed and painfully moved away from him, rising to my feet just as the door slid open. There was a servant there, kneeling beside the doorframe.
"Lord Keitaro, Lady," she paused and I knew my name was strange on her tongue, "Lord Sesshomaru requests your presence in the main room," Keitaro nodded and she shut the door, and hurried away. I glanced at him, "What could your uncle want?"
He shrugged and rose to his feet, "I don't know, but we should go and find out." He started walking towards the door and I stepped forward quickly and slipped my hand into his. He paused and glanced back at me, his eyes traveling down to where our hands were joined, before he smiled and continued walking, his hand tightly clasped in mine.
AN: Ignore the fact that I made a chapter break and keep reading ^_^
