Chapter 7: New Beginnings
A/N: I know this story's going in circles. That's what I get from taking a break in writing this fic. Sorry!
Holding back her consistent muffles, she glided to her son's room. The queen knocked once, then twice after finally being answered. Tokiya tilted his head and gave way for his mother to come inside.
"Tokiya, do you remember the blue gem I gave you?" she asked not even bothering to take a breath.
Tokiya thought for awhile and asked, "Do you mean the blue gem that has a family history?"
The queen nodded.
"Well," this time Tokiya looked uneasy and the queen realized that action.
"Oh no, please tell me you didn't..." the queen stepped back and placed her right hand to her chest.
"Mother!" Tokiya guided her to a nearby chair.
"Tokiya Mikagami, explain right now." The queen demanded in a monotonous tone.
He took a deep breath before starting his story.
The queen gave a soft 'oh no' and held onto her seat.
"Mother, please forgive me, but I..." Tokiya kneeled and take hold of his mother's trembling hands.
"You do..understand..that it was a family treasure." It was probably the wind that made Tokiya hear inaudible wheezing. The queen closed her eyes and after awhile stood up. She regained composure before turning to leave, but before that she gave one last message to his son.
"Having committed such recklessness, you no longer have the freedom to choose a suitable wife." To this she slammed the door shut.
Tokiya fall back to the chair and slumped.
'This is not good. It's either I get back that pendant from Lei, that girl-boy, or ask his sister…she has no sister!' he slapped his forehead.
"Fuuko! Come quick!" Domon forced the wooden door to open, when he banged for the third time. Fuuko was taking a nap near the old chimney. A heavy sleeper she was, and didn't hear Domon's knocks.
She bolted upright and stared at Domon, who was trying to catch his breath from all the running.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"It's Yanagi! Come quick!" He grabbed Fuuko's wrist and the two rushed to where Yanagi lived.
Fuuko's heart was beating, what could've happened to her friend?
They found Recca beside Yanagi's bed, rubbing her hands gently. He had a look of distress. Domon and Fuuko stood before them and Recca, having noticed their presence, said.
"She's really sick."
Fuuko's mind hasn't registered anything yet and so she asked Recca what happened.
"I'm not sure myself; the last thing I recalled was walking her home. Her mother told me she overworked herself two days ago. It must be fatigue."
"Is she going to be alright?" Fuuko asked with concern.
Recca shrugged and looked away, "The expenses are high. We can't afford it even if we combine our pay."
Domon sniffed. Fuuko walked to where Yanagi is. She was about to touch her friend's forehead when Recca grabbed her hand.
"Don't." Fuuko's eyes grew a little wide. Recca looked really protective over his hime that he wouldn't even let Fuuko touch her. Fuuko understood and sat herself on a stool.
The three remained silent, only Yanagi's labored breathing reached their ears. Finally Fuuko looked up and said.
"I could, but…" and then she buried her face in between her palms.
"If we don't get… she might…" Domon whispered.
"I'll do it. Tomorrow morning, I'll personally come back to them and ask for work." Fuuko said with determination.
"Fuuko, you have a job remember?"
"Not that, I mean to the royal family. It might look as if I'm after them, but we need money for Yanagi."
Fuuko stood up and bid them good bye. 'Jeez, what will they say once they see me? That I'm a piece of user that only needs money and goes off after getting it? But I have to in order to save my friend. I must.'
Meanwhile, back in Yanagi's room, Domon and Recca laughed hysterically.
"Oh my god! She fell for it!" Recca snorted and continued laughing. Yanagi giggled in excitement.
"Wait, what if she discovers this is all a set up?" the two paused and looked at Yanagi.
She smiled. "Then we'll tell her, but I'm sure this won't fail. Believe me." Her voice sounded mysterious that the two only nodded.
The following morning Fuuko tried best to rehearse her lines and dress up appropriately. The moment the entered the great hall the queen walked up to her and welcomed her.
"Please madam, I'm not worthy of your welcome." She bowed to the queen and then to the sitting king, who looked pleased to see Fuuko back.
"Lei," the queen started "do you mind telling us what happened to you?"
Fuuko tried her best not to snicker. She remembered that she was after all a boy in their eyes. She obliged and asked for their forgiveness a hundred times. She must've looked perplexing, but at the same time amusing that the kind and queen couldn't help but feel joyful.
"It's good to have you back." The queen smiled tenderly.
"Oh, but your highness I came here to look for work."
"Work?" The king looked baffled, "We do not wish for you to work. Simply your presence is worth the time."
'Yes your presence, soon enough Lei or shall I say Fuuko' the queen thought to herself.
"No, please accept me as you servant. I need money to help my friend. She's sick and we can't afford the expenses. Please." Fuuko bowed and remained there for sometime.
"Well, perhaps we could. However we do not need any helper at the moment."
The sound of the door being opened was heard and all heads turned to see Tokiya walk up to them. He didn't recognize the third person, but when he finally got nearer he looked surprised.
"Lei?" he asked. Fuuko nodded and gave a sheepish grin.
The queen had a brilliant idea and she clapped her hands together.
"Why not be my son's personal servant?"
Tokiya turned to his mother quizzically and then the Fuuko, who looked like she was about to faint. Fuuko wiped the sweat that was building up on her forehead.
"Ehe, per-gulpsonal servant?" The thought of being with Tokiya 24/7 is a dream. She just wasn't sure how to be with him. Somehow she would eventually get caught, and she didn't want him—of all, to be the one to catch her.
'Fine. I need money. I'm sure I could escape. Just act normal, like before.' To that she nodded her head.
"Could you please tell me what is going on?" Tokiya asked. The queen and king explained Fuuko's situation.
Tokiya inwardly smiled. 'I could get back that blue gem from Lei. I'm positive that she has it.'
"That's fine with me." He smirked.
"You understand now?" he asked while taking a sip from her cup.
The person in front of him nodded and continued reading. Tokiya smiled and touched the tip of the book. He slid it down to see the person behind the book.
"Really?"
"Yes, now leave me be."
Tokiya laughed and grabbed the book from Lei, who could now read and write, thanks to Tokiya's patience.
"Come on, let's fence."
"Fence? Are we going to make a fence?" To this Tokiya laughed again.
"Your ignorance is bliss"
Fuuko scratched her head, "Huh?"
She followed Tokiya, walking along halls and continues halls.
"Tell me, what's fencing?"
"It's a sword game, you'll understand soon."
"Ah, so we're going to play it?" she asked enthusiastically. Tokiya nodded and ruffled Fuuko's short purple hair.
"Why is your hair purple?"
"I don't know" Fuuko fixed her hair back to normal and the two finally arrived to the fencing room.
Tokiya explained to Fuuko how the game works. At first Fuuko couldn't even go near her opponent, but as the game advanced she caught up with Tokiya.
The tip of Fuuko's fening sword touched Tokiya and the fifth game was settled.
"Third time winning!" she took off her head gear.
"Amazing, I can't believe I lost three times."
"Ha! You haven't seen the best of Kirisawa Fuuko!" she boasted triumphantly and stood frozen.
'I said Fuuko…'
Tokiya was taken aback, but pretended to misunderstand what she said.
"Is Fuuko your girlfriend?" he asked coolly.
Fuuko couldn't think of a good excuse and agreed to this inquiry. He smiled and removed his gear.
'So her real name is Kirisawa Fuuko? I wonder…'
"Well, do you want to try another activity? How about aikido? I heard you and mother had tested each other's ability." 'That's a good thing to say; maybe she'll forget what she said.'
Fuuko shook her head. "Not now, fencing drained my energy."
"Let's take a break. Come" he gestured for her to follow.
She slapped her head and silently cursed herself for being too damn careless. 'Good thing he suspected that Fuuko is a girlfriend. Damn, how could I be so stupid? This is the first strike Kirisawa, get your act together.'
The two seated themselves on the veranda overlooking the vast lake. The sun was setting and the water coaxed Fuuko to come play with it. As she fidgeted on her seat, Tokiya rested his eyes and hummed a tune.
"Can you hear them?" he suddenly asked.
"Nani?"
"The lake, the breeze and everything around us. They're telling us to play with them."
"But we're tired"
"Then tell them we are" he beamed with his eyes still closed.
Fuuko stood up and walked near the end of the balcony. She leaned over the stone edging and breathed in.
"WE'RE TIRED! I'M SORRY BUT WE COULD PLAY TOMORROW!" she yelled.
Tokiya opened his eyes and stared at Fuuko's back.
"Lei…"
Fuuko turned to him with a mystified look on her face.
"You are so gullible." Tokiya said and gave a soft snicker. Fuuko smiled and turned back to the beautiful horizon now saying 'bye day, welcome night'. This was the start of a new friendship with the two.
A/N: I know this story's going in circles. That's what I get from taking a break in writing this fic. Sorry!
Holding back her consistent muffles, she glided to her son's room. The queen knocked once, then twice after finally being answered. Tokiya tilted his head and gave way for his mother to come inside.
"Tokiya, do you remember the blue gem I gave you?" she asked not even bothering to take a breath.
Tokiya thought for awhile and asked, "Do you mean the blue gem that has a family history?"
The queen nodded.
"Well," this time Tokiya looked uneasy and the queen realized that action.
"Oh no, please tell me you didn't..." the queen stepped back and placed her right hand to her chest.
"Mother!" Tokiya guided her to a nearby chair.
"Tokiya Mikagami, explain right now." The queen demanded in a monotonous tone.
He took a deep breath before starting his story.
The queen gave a soft 'oh no' and held onto her seat.
"Mother, please forgive me, but I..." Tokiya kneeled and take hold of his mother's trembling hands.
"You do..understand..that it was a family treasure." It was probably the wind that made Tokiya hear inaudible wheezing. The queen closed her eyes and after awhile stood up. She regained composure before turning to leave, but before that she gave one last message to his son.
"Having committed such recklessness, you no longer have the freedom to choose a suitable wife." To this she slammed the door shut.
Tokiya fall back to the chair and slumped.
'This is not good. It's either I get back that pendant from Lei, that girl-boy, or ask his sister…she has no sister!' he slapped his forehead.
"Fuuko! Come quick!" Domon forced the wooden door to open, when he banged for the third time. Fuuko was taking a nap near the old chimney. A heavy sleeper she was, and didn't hear Domon's knocks.
She bolted upright and stared at Domon, who was trying to catch his breath from all the running.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"It's Yanagi! Come quick!" He grabbed Fuuko's wrist and the two rushed to where Yanagi lived.
Fuuko's heart was beating, what could've happened to her friend?
They found Recca beside Yanagi's bed, rubbing her hands gently. He had a look of distress. Domon and Fuuko stood before them and Recca, having noticed their presence, said.
"She's really sick."
Fuuko's mind hasn't registered anything yet and so she asked Recca what happened.
"I'm not sure myself; the last thing I recalled was walking her home. Her mother told me she overworked herself two days ago. It must be fatigue."
"Is she going to be alright?" Fuuko asked with concern.
Recca shrugged and looked away, "The expenses are high. We can't afford it even if we combine our pay."
Domon sniffed. Fuuko walked to where Yanagi is. She was about to touch her friend's forehead when Recca grabbed her hand.
"Don't." Fuuko's eyes grew a little wide. Recca looked really protective over his hime that he wouldn't even let Fuuko touch her. Fuuko understood and sat herself on a stool.
The three remained silent, only Yanagi's labored breathing reached their ears. Finally Fuuko looked up and said.
"I could, but…" and then she buried her face in between her palms.
"If we don't get… she might…" Domon whispered.
"I'll do it. Tomorrow morning, I'll personally come back to them and ask for work." Fuuko said with determination.
"Fuuko, you have a job remember?"
"Not that, I mean to the royal family. It might look as if I'm after them, but we need money for Yanagi."
Fuuko stood up and bid them good bye. 'Jeez, what will they say once they see me? That I'm a piece of user that only needs money and goes off after getting it? But I have to in order to save my friend. I must.'
Meanwhile, back in Yanagi's room, Domon and Recca laughed hysterically.
"Oh my god! She fell for it!" Recca snorted and continued laughing. Yanagi giggled in excitement.
"Wait, what if she discovers this is all a set up?" the two paused and looked at Yanagi.
She smiled. "Then we'll tell her, but I'm sure this won't fail. Believe me." Her voice sounded mysterious that the two only nodded.
The following morning Fuuko tried best to rehearse her lines and dress up appropriately. The moment the entered the great hall the queen walked up to her and welcomed her.
"Please madam, I'm not worthy of your welcome." She bowed to the queen and then to the sitting king, who looked pleased to see Fuuko back.
"Lei," the queen started "do you mind telling us what happened to you?"
Fuuko tried her best not to snicker. She remembered that she was after all a boy in their eyes. She obliged and asked for their forgiveness a hundred times. She must've looked perplexing, but at the same time amusing that the kind and queen couldn't help but feel joyful.
"It's good to have you back." The queen smiled tenderly.
"Oh, but your highness I came here to look for work."
"Work?" The king looked baffled, "We do not wish for you to work. Simply your presence is worth the time."
'Yes your presence, soon enough Lei or shall I say Fuuko' the queen thought to herself.
"No, please accept me as you servant. I need money to help my friend. She's sick and we can't afford the expenses. Please." Fuuko bowed and remained there for sometime.
"Well, perhaps we could. However we do not need any helper at the moment."
The sound of the door being opened was heard and all heads turned to see Tokiya walk up to them. He didn't recognize the third person, but when he finally got nearer he looked surprised.
"Lei?" he asked. Fuuko nodded and gave a sheepish grin.
The queen had a brilliant idea and she clapped her hands together.
"Why not be my son's personal servant?"
Tokiya turned to his mother quizzically and then the Fuuko, who looked like she was about to faint. Fuuko wiped the sweat that was building up on her forehead.
"Ehe, per-gulpsonal servant?" The thought of being with Tokiya 24/7 is a dream. She just wasn't sure how to be with him. Somehow she would eventually get caught, and she didn't want him—of all, to be the one to catch her.
'Fine. I need money. I'm sure I could escape. Just act normal, like before.' To that she nodded her head.
"Could you please tell me what is going on?" Tokiya asked. The queen and king explained Fuuko's situation.
Tokiya inwardly smiled. 'I could get back that blue gem from Lei. I'm positive that she has it.'
"That's fine with me." He smirked.
"You understand now?" he asked while taking a sip from her cup.
The person in front of him nodded and continued reading. Tokiya smiled and touched the tip of the book. He slid it down to see the person behind the book.
"Really?"
"Yes, now leave me be."
Tokiya laughed and grabbed the book from Lei, who could now read and write, thanks to Tokiya's patience.
"Come on, let's fence."
"Fence? Are we going to make a fence?" To this Tokiya laughed again.
"Your ignorance is bliss"
Fuuko scratched her head, "Huh?"
She followed Tokiya, walking along halls and continues halls.
"Tell me, what's fencing?"
"It's a sword game, you'll understand soon."
"Ah, so we're going to play it?" she asked enthusiastically. Tokiya nodded and ruffled Fuuko's short purple hair.
"Why is your hair purple?"
"I don't know" Fuuko fixed her hair back to normal and the two finally arrived to the fencing room.
Tokiya explained to Fuuko how the game works. At first Fuuko couldn't even go near her opponent, but as the game advanced she caught up with Tokiya.
The tip of Fuuko's fening sword touched Tokiya and the fifth game was settled.
"Third time winning!" she took off her head gear.
"Amazing, I can't believe I lost three times."
"Ha! You haven't seen the best of Kirisawa Fuuko!" she boasted triumphantly and stood frozen.
'I said Fuuko…'
Tokiya was taken aback, but pretended to misunderstand what she said.
"Is Fuuko your girlfriend?" he asked coolly.
Fuuko couldn't think of a good excuse and agreed to this inquiry. He smiled and removed his gear.
'So her real name is Kirisawa Fuuko? I wonder…'
"Well, do you want to try another activity? How about aikido? I heard you and mother had tested each other's ability." 'That's a good thing to say; maybe she'll forget what she said.'
Fuuko shook her head. "Not now, fencing drained my energy."
"Let's take a break. Come" he gestured for her to follow.
She slapped her head and silently cursed herself for being too damn careless. 'Good thing he suspected that Fuuko is a girlfriend. Damn, how could I be so stupid? This is the first strike Kirisawa, get your act together.'
The two seated themselves on the veranda overlooking the vast lake. The sun was setting and the water coaxed Fuuko to come play with it. As she fidgeted on her seat, Tokiya rested his eyes and hummed a tune.
"Can you hear them?" he suddenly asked.
"Nani?"
"The lake, the breeze and everything around us. They're telling us to play with them."
"But we're tired"
"Then tell them we are" he beamed with his eyes still closed.
Fuuko stood up and walked near the end of the balcony. She leaned over the stone edging and breathed in.
"WE'RE TIRED! I'M SORRY BUT WE COULD PLAY TOMORROW!" she yelled.
Tokiya opened his eyes and stared at Fuuko's back.
"Lei…"
Fuuko turned to him with a mystified look on her face.
"You are so gullible." Tokiya said and gave a soft snicker. Fuuko smiled and turned back to the beautiful horizon now saying 'bye day, welcome night'. This was the start of a new friendship with the two.