Warning: AU, Fantasy, PG-13, Ran/Ken (eventually).
Author's Note: Sorry, this is later than I intended to post. It took us three hours to get over the mountain! Black ice! Anyway, enter Yohji! Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weiss.
First Born of the Thirteenth House
Part 2: Ran (d)
Ran could feel the shock of his appearance and quickly strode forward to stand between the rider and the frightened Lord Hidaka.
"I'm here, your Highness," he addressed the rider. "Whole and unharmed."
"So you are," the rider agreed. He released his sword hilt and moved to dismount. On the ground he proved to be several inches taller than Ran. "Would you be so good as to explain what happened?"
The rider pulled off his helmet to reveal very fine features and sharp, intelligent eyes. He set his helmet on his saddle before coming to stand before Ran and the relieved Hidaka. The rider ran a hand through his close cropped brown hair to smooth it as he met Ran's eyes with his stern green ones.
"Certainly, your Highness," he said. "I was attacked outside my room, but as you see it was somewhat less than successful."
"Go on," the Crown Prince said eyeing Hidaka.
"Lord Hidaka had nothing to do with the attack and indeed has riders searching the woods even now for my assailants, who fled when it was learned they had failed," Ran said and turned his piercing violet gaze on the Lord nervously standing by.
"Indeed," Hidaka confirmed. "And I am afraid Takashi, my own son, maybe among them." His sorrow and regret were evident in his eyes and voice. "I fear the influence of Chancellor Weston was even stronger than I suspected."
Ran locked eyes with the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness," he said, "I feel the evil of this House is no more than you yourself have suggested, and may yet be corrected with the proper assistance."
The Crown Prince held his eyes and studied him. At last he nodded almost imperceptibly.
"Lord Hidaka, my fellows and I have traveled far and at great speed to get here. Will you offer us welcome into your House in exchange for our assistance with your immediate problem?" he asked loudly.
"Your Highness, all that I have is laid open to you in loyal obedience and gratitude," Lord Hidaka answered.
The Crown Prince removed his glove and held out his hand. Lord Hidaka bowed low and kissed it. After he'd risen the Prince turned to his company of warriors.
"The Lord Hidaka has men and horses searching the woods for the assailants," he said.
Several groups of riders turned their mounts and rode out through the gates. The rest dismounted and stood by their steeds at attention.
Lord Hidaka turned to his frozen household.
"We have company," he announced loudly. "Unload their things and make them welcome."
The servants in the yard hopped to immediately. Scrambling to take horses and luggage, while the officers lined up at attention and the advisors stood stiffly by.
"Your Highness," Lord Hidaka said and awaited the Crown Prince's attention.
The Prince took a step forward to follow Hidaka into the House, but paused and turned back to Ran. Briefly, he looked him up and down and smirked.
"My brother travels with me, my Lord," he said. "He'll be pleased to find you unharmed."
Ran fought a cringe, but felt his eye twitch.
"Your Highness," he replied blandly.
The Crown Prince smiled broadly and followed Lord Hidaka into the House with his officers and advisors in close attendance. Ran turned in time to see the door of the first carriage open and a tall, lanky man step out.
It couldn't be argued that Prince Yohji didn't cut a striking figure. Tall and whip thin, he was dressed immaculately in the finest materials available. His long brown locks fell in waves around his face to almost shoulder length. In the back they were tied up into a tail at the base of his neck by a ribbon the same green as his coat and eyes. One would never guess to look at him that he was his brother's personal guard.
Placing a delicate hand on his hip he scanned the yard, managing to look both rakish and foppish at once.
Ran endeavored not to roll his eyes. Internally he braced himself and waited for the Prince to notice him. He didn't have to wait long.
The Prince's alluring green eyes locked on him, and flashing a dazzling smile full of relief, he strode to Ran and embraced the slightly shorter red-head. After a few moments the Prince let him go, but didn't move out of his personal space. He leaned his forehead against Ran's and looked down into his eyes. To anyone who might be looking they appeared to be a couple involved in an intimate reunion, but the Prince's eyes were sharp and serious.
"Are you sure you're unhurt? Aya seemed to think otherwise," he murmured.
"I'm fine. How is she?" Ran asked softly in concern.
"Recovering," Yohji answered noticing Ran's unbuttoned shirt under his waistcoat. Seductively he ran a finger down Ran's chest and pulled the material back until he could see the blood stain and the scar. His eyes widened in shock and horror.
Ran quickly grabbed his hand and held it in place before the Prince could pull his shirt open for all to see. Quickly, he glanced around to ensure that no one was paying them any undue attention. Hidaka's servants had made quick work of any luggage, and were engaged in taking the horses to the stables and the carriages to the large barn. Everyone he could see was occupied.
When he looked back to the Prince it was clear he had recovered, though his mouth was set in a thin line. Their eyes met once more and the Prince entwined their fingers. Yohji leaned closer, his lips brushing Ran's cheek until they came to rest against his ear.
"Who did that?" he asked darkly.
Ran fought the blush he could feel trying to heat his cheeks and tried to retain his cool. Even after two years he wasn't used to the Prince's attentions.
"Takashi, Lord Hidaka's eldest son," Ran answered.
"And the healing of it?"
"A servant," he answered coldly, regaining his composure.
The Prince drew back and Ran was chagrined to find him smirking. His green eyes scanned the yard.
"Where is this servant?" he asked.
"Not here. Manx is on him."
"Manx?" the Prince asked flashing another brilliant smile. "Excellent. I shall speak to her then."
He stepped gracefully back a pace, effectively leaving Ran's space and grinned.
"I truly am glad to find you well, Ran," he said quietly. "You should go change and let Aya know you're alright. It'll be dinner before too long."
"Prince Yohji," Ran said bowing as the Prince strolled past him and into the House.
Ran released a sigh and followed. A change of clothes and a good dinner definitely sounded appealing. Once again he headed toward his room and its welcoming silence.
By the time his conversation with Aya was over and he'd changed his clothes the sun had set. One of Lord Hidaka's officers had stopped by briefly to notify him that the body had been recovered and was in the ice house under guard, and that the Lord's and Crown Prince's men were returned with at least partial success. Ran dressed feeling well satisfied with the outcome of the day's events, and looking forward to returning to the First House in a few days time and being reunited with his sister.
As he tied his cravat there was a quiet but demanding knock on his door.
"Yes?" he called, then moved to open the door. "Omi?"
The young man stood there, worry warring with a stern frown for possession of his face. Ran blinked at him in surprise.
"Good evening, Lord Fujimiya. May I trouble you for a moment of your time?" he asked, the stern expression winning.
"I was just heading to dinner," Ran said frowning.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid this can't wait," the youth said walking past Ran and into the room.
Ran's frown deepened but he followed, shutting the door. Omi stopped in the center of the room and turned to face him.
"May I sit?" he asked suddenly smiling. When Ran nodded he chose a seat before the fireplace and motioned to the facing chair. "Please, join me."
Ran found himself sitting. He faced the young seer who's expression had turned solemn once again.
"I am here on behalf of the young man who assisted you earlier today," he said. "He is currently being held against his will by your friend Prince Yohji."
"Held?" Ran asked surprised.
Omi cleared his throat and repressed a small smile.
"Your lady friend had him taken from the wood master's office, where I believe he was asking for compensation, to Prince Yohji who refused to see him until he was...'worthy of being viewed' is how I believe he put it," Omi said. "He is currently being held in a bathroom."
"Good," Ran stated. "He's filthy."
Omi frowned darkly at him.
"Lord Fujimiya, this is not a laughing matter," he said sharply.
"And I am not laughing," Ran replied coldly. "What is it to me if a filthy servant gets the bath he's in desperate need of?"
"You owe him a great debt," Omi said, then smirking added, "two in fact."
"Two?"
"He healed you after you were stabbed earlier today, and he protected your life last night by throwing Chancellor Weston off the tower's roof."
Ran stared dumbly at the youth.
"The wood boy killed Weston?" he asked softly.
Omi nodded.
"Why?" Ran asked.
"I don't know why," Omi answered. "If you want to know that you'll have to ask him yourself. I can see many things but not, unfortunately, what motivates people."
Ran shifted in his seat. The strange feeling in his chest was back urging him to go to the defense of the incarcerated servant. Omi was watching him knowingly and making him very uncomfortable.
"Why are you here?" Ran asked suddenly. "Why does he concern you?"
"Because I too owe him a great debt," he answered smiling softly.
"Tell me," Ran demanded.
"When I was nine my mother and I were visiting the First House. As you recalled last evening you heard me sing there. Do you remember what else happened during that visit?"
"All the children fell ill," Ran answered at once.
It was well remembered. A plot of revenge against the King by a wizard who'd had designs on the magic that fueled their monarchy. He'd been discovered and expelled from the kingdom, forcibly, after having been permanently stripped of all of his magical abilities. It was by no means an isolated incident, but that particular mode of revenge had almost cost the kingdom its children. The offending wizard had been sought and dealt with as a lesson to other such offenders.
"Yes, and only the magic of the Seats could save them," Omi said. "I believe it was the King himself who healed you and your sister."
Ran nodded.
"When the illness broke out my mother rushed me home hoping to get me away before I could contract the illness. Unfortunately, she was too late," Omi continued.
"It wouldn't have mattered," Ran interrupted. "The spell was designed to attack all children living within the Great Houses below the age of fifteen and from there spread to the countryside. If it had succeeded it would've been a terrible revenge indeed."
"Yes," Omi said nodding. "So I became ill and my mother and I were isolated to prevent the spread of the disease. We were abandoned by our retainers and I was left to die, and would have...if not for him."
Ran sat up with a sudden thought.
"The failed Ascension," he said. "There was no Seat magic here."
"And yet I was saved," Omi nodded. "And not only me. All the children were saved, regardless of rank. When I awoke he was by my bedside."
"Who is he?" Ran demanded, but Omi shook his head.
"All I know for certain," he said, "is that he came here from a farm when he was seven. The butler listed his name as 'Boy' and noted a few of his distinguishing features in the servants register."
Ran quirked an eyebrow.
"Your sight is very thorough," he said.
"You don't always need the gift of sight to see," Omi smiled. He reached into his waistcoat pocket and extracted a ring of at least twenty keys.
"What else do you know?" Ran asked, more interested than he cared to admit.
"There have been many odd events here," the youth said, his smile fading. "The late Lord Hidaka's marriage was arranged and at first rocky. According to the butler's personal log the late Lord's father sensed his own end hard upon him, and so arranged a marriage to a suitable bride for his eldest, and extremely reluctant, son."
"You think there was an affair?" Ran asked. "With a nearby farm maid or a lost love perhaps?"
Omi shrugged.
"There's no telling," he said. "But shortly after the marriage the House seer was found dead, and they didn't get another one. There was no seer here until I was born. That was eight years, Lord Fujimiya. During that time the First Child was born, Weston was employed, and the murders took place. In the notes recorded before the murders there was concern among the staff and officials. Apparently, the First Child hadn't shown any signs of potential."
"But he was paired, wasn't he?" Ran asked.
Omi nodded.
"But it is common practice to pair a First Born before their second birthday whether they've shown potential or not, correct?"
"Yes," Ran answered, shifting slightly in his seat. "The sooner the bond is established the stronger it is. But the fact that he was paired suggests that some potential was there. Then again there are many instances of strong Second Borns who've needed pairing."
"The child that died could very easily have been a second son which would explain the failed Ascension of the present Lord," Omi said. "The Seat would hardly allow a replacement if the heir were still alive."
"The heir," Ran muttered. "The amount of power exhibited by the wood boy is on a level with that of the Crown Prince. A First Born never paired to control his abilities could easily rival those of the royal family."
"He'd be a liability they could not afford," Omi stated scowling. "A useful tool for anyone bent on their destruction."
"Where are they holding him?" Ran asked darkly.
Omi smiled.
"I'll take you," he chirped.
-----
Ran followed Omi down through the House. Belatedly he realized he was missing dinner. The next time Lady Hidaka said she had a feeling he should eat he wouldn't stop until he was about to burst.
Omi led the way down to the first floor. Backing the third kitchen was a series of small rooms with baths. Originally used by the family, but now meant for the staff since it became fashionable to have a private bath in each apartment. The walls in the hall leading to the baths were left in their natural state not covered with papered wood panels. The stones were slick with sweat from the steam, and the air was full of moisture.
As they rounded the corner to the ante room they were met by a sight that halted them in their tracks. The butler and several footman stood before the large fireplace used to heat the pails of water needed to fill the tubs. They were all in their shirt sleeves and looking rather the worse for wear. One of the footman sat on a stool having his ribs wrapped by a healer. The others sported various scratches, bruises, and one had apparently lost a tooth. The butler's wig was crooked, mussed and one shirt sleeve was torn. One of the four bathroom doors was shut and bolted.
The small group of servants looked on the new arrivals with both relief and consternation. Ran felt his jaw tighten.
"Is he clean?" he demanded coldly.
The butler snorted, and the old man who ran the baths wrung his hands.
"Not hardly," the butler answered raising his chin. "It would take an army to clean that beast. Look what he did to my best footman. And my shirt!"
Ran ground his teeth.
"If you can't handle one wood boy then get someone who can," Ran spat.
The butler rose up to his full height and looked down his nose at the scowling Lord. Before he could speak Omi's arm shot out and grasped Ran's arm tightly. The red-head turned to look at his companion who was staring at a point somewhere between his face and the floor.
"Omi?" Ran asked softly.
"Its you," the youth breathed out.
"What's me?" Ran asked.
"You...you're the one," Omi answered, suddenly back to himself, blinking and shaking his head. "The one he will trust."
Ran furrowed his brow and frowned in confusion.
"You'll have to do it," Omi said.
"Do what?" Ran asked, then his eyes widened and his mouth fell open. "You want me to bathe that filthy savage?!"
"Shhh, he'll hear you," Omi said.
The butler and footmen exchanged glances. Ran glared at Omi who frowned back at him.
"You could just let him go, or make Prince Yohji see him as he is," Omi suggested.
Ran ground his teeth again in frustration.
"I can't let him go. Unpaired he's too dangerous," he said. "And no one can make Yohji do what he doesn't want to do."
"Then I'm afraid you only have one option," the young seer said far too reasonably.
Ran had never felt like whining in his life until that moment. If only there was someone he could kill with his sword then he might feel better. He sighed in exasperation and resolutely began removing his coat which he threw roughly at Omi who caught it. He unbuckled his sword belt and waistcoat which followed where his coat had led.
"Sir," the butler began cautiously. "My Lord, I must protest."
Ran glared hard at him.
"Seems I have no choice," he spat and turned his glare on Omi. "Lose my sword, lose your life," he said menacingly.
"I won't lose your sword," Omi replied with great patience. "And you'd better remove your shoes and socks as well."
Ran looked at his feet before bending to yank off his shoes.
"But, my Lord, he could kill you," the butler stammered.
"Not bloody likely," Ran swore angrily.
He marched over to the door and came face to face with the bolt. After glaring at it for a few seconds he looked to the bath master for explanation.
"Used to be holding cells for prisoners back during the war," he wheezed.
"How convenient," Ran sneered. He violently threw the bolt and stepped inside.
-----
Author's Note: Surprise! Yohji's elder brother came with him and he looks like Yohji in Gluhen only with brown hair. How's that? And for some strange reason I always want to get Ken really dirty and then make him have to get clean. Hmmm? Well, Ran didn't get to bathe him in my other series, so...well, we'll see what happens.
Wow. Rereading this just now to correct it I just noticed that Ken isn't even in this chapter! I actually wrote a chapter without him in it. O.O Hunh. Oh well. Thanks for reading! Please review!!!
XXLil Yu JahXx: Ooo! Thanks! I will continue. Thanks for reading! :)
Ru-chan: Thanks! I will keep writing. Thanks for reading! :)
Seph Lorraine: Yeah, she marked him and now she can follow him anywhere! Woo-hoo, Manx! Publish? -BLUSH- Thanks for the sentiment, but this would have to be a whole lot better for that. I do wonder some times what Koyasu-san thinks of what women do with his characters. He may not be aware of us, but he surely is aware of all the dojinshi in Japan, right? Anyway, if I ever in a million years did get published I'd give everyone of the people nice enough to read this a free copy. If it weren't for everyone who read and reviewed "Tell Him..." I'd never have written this in the first place! Thanks for reading! :)
Elfgoddess00: Thanks. Heh-heh. Yeah, no handsome, strapping servant here. Yeah, they came outta the sky. The horses and carriages are enchanted so that they can fly and use these "gates" that are actually magical holes in the sky that are all connected to one another. I was thinking something sort of like the "jump gates" in "Babylon 5". The rest of your questions will be answered eventually! Thanks for reading! :)
Shikigami-kun: Yep! They've met! Yeah, usually I get the initial idea while lying in bed. I sometimes wake up way too early and I try to imagine things to get back to sleep, which NEVER works because I get an idea and then start building on it. I'm usually awake until the alarm goes off and then spend the day jotting down all my notes. That's what happened in this case. Anyway, thanks for reading! :)
RuByMoOn17: Yeah, he's okay! Thanks for reading! :)
Mondtanz: Yay! I was hoping Manx would be obvious. Well, the Prince's powers aren't necessarily like Ken's they're just equal in power. And now you know who the Prince is! Don't worry, Ken'll get a bath all right. ;P Thanks for reading! :)
Precognition74: No, no! Omi's back! See? See?! And soon all four will be together, and then apart, and then together, and then two of them over here while the other two are...well, you get the idea. ;) Thanks for reading! :)
Swtjemz: Yes! They connected! And Yohji's here! Yes, I'm hoping Omi's role will be bigger than it has so far. I think it is, but I'm still writing it so I'm trying to get him involved more. And Yohji too. Thanks, I did get some good memories this year! I hope you did too! Thanks for reading! :)
Makami: Hmmm, good question. I've never read "Fire Starter", but I did see the movie when I was about sixteen...a Looong time ago. It might've gotten stuck in my head. You never know. The part of the film I really remember is when they parents get the drug and they have that connection while everyone else dies. When I was in art school I realized that there are no new ideas, just different ways of interpreting old ones. Even if the idea is original to me its been thought of before by someone else, and will be thought of again by another. And you know what?! I was just processing books at work and a new kids book came in with a character named 'Boy'! I was so shocked! But you see? Anyway, thanks for reading! :)
