Warning: AU, Fantasy, PG-13, Ran/Ken (eventually).

Author's Note: Bath time! Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weiss.

First Born of the Thirteenth House

Part 2: Ran (e)

Once he was inside the bath master yanked the door shut. Ran heard him relock the door with a loud bang, and his frown darkened.

The red-headed Lord paused a moment to take in the room. It wasn't too small. Like the hall and the ante room the walls and ceiling had been left in their natural stone state, while the floor was waxed wood planks. Directly across from the door was a large fireplace alight with a cheery blaze which also amply warmed the room. Ran reasoned that it was probably backed up to one of the fireplaces in the third kitchen.

In the center of the room, fixed to the floor, was a large metal tub full of steaming water. On the side facing Ran sat a small wooden stool and table. The table was littered with various bottles of liquid and boxes of powder, some of which had tipped over and spilled their contents. A couple of boxes lay crushed on the floor, their powders scattered across the wooden planks. Resting in the mess was a scrub brush.

Ran sighed and looked around for the offending party. He found him hunched against the wall to his right, still fully clothed.

He did rather resemble a cornered beast with his wild mop of hair falling in tangles past his shoulders, and his defensive posture. His worn and threadbare clothes were as dirty as he was. Ran eyed him critically for a moment. Wondering whether he could be reasoned with.

"Why are you here?" the servant asked suddenly.

"I've been sent to bathe you," Ran answered tersely. No sense in beating around the bush.

His answer appeared to confuse the other male who shifted in his position slightly.

"Why?" he asked.

"Omi says you will trust me," Ran answered.

"Who's Omi?"

Ran arched an eyebrow.

"The young songster. He says you saved him when he was a child and wishes to repay the debt by helping you now."

The servant shifted again. Ran couldn't tell whether he was nervous or sizing the Lord up.

"Why should I trust you?" he asked, his soft tenor taking on a note of petulance.

"I have no idea," Ran said scowling.

The wood boy shifted again, apparently getting more agitated.

"I want to be left alone," he stated with just a hint of desperation.

"That is impossible," Ran said sternly. "We can't let you go. You're too powerful."

Ran could almost feel a wave of hopeless anger and fear wash through him as he watched the other male shudder against the wall. He felt a stab of pity and concern. Feelings he'd never experienced before and didn't like in the least. His frown deepened.

"We're not going to hurt you," he said trying to sound a bit reassuring.

"Then let me go!" the wood boy cried.

"No," Ran stated sharply. "No one is leaving this room until you are clean. Now get in the tub."

"Go to Hell," the servant spat and launched himself off the wall.

Ran sidestepped his charge and caught him around the neck in a headlock, which he instantly regretted. The male's body odor almost overwhelmed him, and he suddenly realized the very real possibility of the man's being infested with any number of vermin.

Gritting his teeth against the smell he tightened his hold and reached for his tiny bit of magic. Summoning it he placed one hand upon the struggling servant's head and cast a death spell. Once it was done Ran released him and fell back gasping for fresh air.

"What'd you do?" the wood boy asked, coming to a startled halt on the other side of the room.

Ran wasn't surprised. Obviously he could sense the magic.

"I cast a death spell," he wheezed.

"I'm gonna die?! You said you wouldn't hurt me!" he cried indignantly.

"Not for you," Ran spat, regaining his composure. "For the lice, fleas, and any other vermin you carry."

The wood boy stood staring at him and the room fell silent. He actually looked affronted. Ran almost laughed, but seconds later was dodging a well placed punch aimed at his face.

Ran let the servant swing past him then caught him from behind, pinning one arm up behind his back. With his free hand he grasped the wood boy in a choking hold around his neck and cut off most of his air supply. The male twisted and struggled but to no avail, and when he began to weaken Ran forced him into the tub and held him there. That's when he suffered the realization that the brute was still fully clothed.

"Dammit!" he swore, releasing the man's arm.

Instantly the wood boy pulled forward and tried to scramble over the far side of the tub. Ran grabbed him and for several minutes the air was full of startled grunts, choking coughs, violent splashing, and the occasional indignant squawk. Water went everywhere.

When the struggle subsided once more the servant was naked and being held in the tub again. Ran was disheveled and was fairly certain he had a few bruised ribs. Both men were winded and gasping for air. Most of the water, and what remained of the wood boy's tattered clothing, were all over the floor.

Ran steadied his hold on the other male, who was breathing heavily and gripping the edge of the tub with white knuckles. Ignoring the pain in his ribs he took a deep breath and turned to the door.

"Gentlemen without," he yelled. "More water!"

There was a scrambling from the ante room and the wood boy's grip on the tub tightened. The bolt was thrown with a loud snap and the footmen led by the butler entered, each bearing a bucket of steaming water. As they approached the tub the victim gave a violent jerk, but Ran had him by the hair with one hand and gave it a vicious yank. The servant didn't cry out so much as growl.

"Shall I empty the tub, my Lord?" the butler asked, pausing at the end where the drain was located.

Ran glanced at the water that was left in the tub and wasn't surprised to find it almost black.

"Please," he said without loosening his hold in the slightest.

The butler bowed and pulled the cork from the drain. Once the dirty water was away he dumped his bucket over the man in the tub, effectively rinsing the wood boy and the tub of grime before plugging the drain again. The footmen came one at a time and slowly the tub began to fill. Each one seemed to delight in dumping their water over the huddled male who couldn't escape, getting Ran wet as well.

"Butler," Ran said as the men filed from the room. "I'll need some scissors."

The captive servant growled deep in his throat and tried to jerk free again which set the water to sloshing. The butler gave him a weary glance, but bowed to Ran.

"As you wish, my Lord," he said and exited quickly, shutting the door behind him.

"No, no, no, no," the wood boy muttered angrily trying valiantly to pull himself free using the edge of the tub.

Ran yanked his hair again.

"It won't hurt you," he said.

The butler returned with the scissors while the man in the tub began to tremble. Ran tightened his hold around the servant's shoulders and pulled back a fistful of tangled and matted hair.

"Cut it," he commanded.

The butler cut the hair while a second growl escaped the wood boy's throat. Within minutes the bulk of the tangled mass was on the floor and the butler had departed with the scissors. Once his hair was cut the fight seemed to go out of him and the man sat slumped in the tub ducking his head.

Ran slowly loosened his grip but didn't completely release him. Quickly reaching out to the table he grabbed up one of the bottles and dumped the liquid onto the servant's head. He tried not to be too rough when he scrubbed, but he wanted to get the hair that was left clean.

When the wood boy didn't try to get away again Ran loosened his grip further so he could reach the scrub brush. He got the servant's arms and back fully washed once before he deemed the water too dirty to continue and called for more.

Ran held him once again while the tub was drained and refilled. Once again the water was dumped over the wood boy, this time making him cringe and shudder. Ran gave the footmen dark looks of warning and they left less puffed up than when they'd entered. Before the butler left Ran requested a cloth to wash with as he thought the brush too rough and then they were alone again.

Much more gently he washed the man's hair again, taking note that it was a rich, dark brown and very fine. He soaped up the cloth and washed the areas he'd already done before moving on to the rest, well satisfied with the servant's subdued behavior.

Ken sat in the tub and felt his doom closing in. He was naked, his curtain of hair was gone, and his mask of dirt was being washed away a layer at a time. He could see no way out and for some reason seemed unable to fight against the red-headed Lord. Submitting seemed like his only option, and so he did, grudgingly. He sat in the tub and allowed the Lord to wash him.

Gradually the soft motions of the cloth over his skin and the rhythmic sloshing of the water began to relax his tensed muscles. His mind drifted as he stared at the fire. Suddenly he was five again. He was in the tub and Nanny was scrubbing him. She had large rough hands and he didn't like it. He was frowning furiously until a laugh like a small silver bell distracted him, and suddenly she was before him. His okasan. Her sunny smile and bright eyes shown down on him as she tilted his face up toward her own.

"Ken, my love, why so glum?" she smiled. "If you don't like bathing you shouldn't get so dirty."

She laughed again, mussing his hair, and was gone.

"Okasan?" he called.

Ran stopped scrubbing the servant's right arm, and looked hard at his ducked head, frowning.

"Did you say something?" he asked.

The wood boy dropped his head lower and violently shook it.

"Oh," Ran muttered, but didn't believe him. "Its not so bad is it?" he asked, feeling put upon to speak. "Although, I do have to wonder what condition your teeth are in."

"My teeth are fine," the servant answered glumly without raising his head.

"Don't tell me you actually clean them," Ran said sarcastically.

"Yes. I do," he spat, sounding annoyed.

"Good. Turn around so I can wash your front," Ran commanded and the servant silently obeyed.

He turned sideways so he could stretch his legs out if he wanted to, but he remained huddled. The Lord lifted his chin so he could wash the wood boy's face. When he did he noted what looked like tear tracks in the dirt on the servant's cheeks. For some reason they disturbed him, and without further hesitation he scrubbed the servant's face clean and then took a good look at him.

He was not, Ran discovered, unattractive. His features, especially his large brown eyes, were quite pleasing, and coupled with his thin, muscular physique could've taken him quite far. Except he was hiding, Ran reminded himself. Why else would a servant work for years in one position, never seeking promotion. And the dirt and hair had effectively disguised him. But looking at him Ran could find no resemblance to the hawklike features of the Hidaka line. His coloring was right, but his face was too soft and round. So why was he so afraid?

"How old are you?" the Lord asked.

The wood boy pulled his chin from the Lord's grasp and ducked his head again.

"Nineteen," he answered glumly.

And not a trace of whiskers, Ran thought. A late bloomer. "What's your name?" he demanded.

"Boy."

"I don't believe you."

"Believe what you want," the servant stated stubbornly.

"I will," Ran said and called loudly for more water. After it had arrived and the others had left he pulled the servant's hand up and placed the cloth in it. "Finish washing yourself."

Ran could feel the young man watching him as he wearily pulled over the stool and sat down next to the tub gingerly rubbing his ribs.

Ken hesitated a moment before soaping the cloth and then he began washing his chest, legs and nether regions. Every so often he'd peek at the Lord from under his shorn bangs. Not sure why, but for some reason instinctively trusting the stoic red-head. Just as the seer had predicted.

"W-what's your name?" he asked after a while.

Ran sat frowning for a moment trying to decide how to answer. He was feeling a distinct inclination toward kindness that he didn't like, and that annoying new feeling was back urging him to trust his instincts. He sighed heavily.

"Ran," he stated flatly.

Ken stopped scrubbing for a second and peeked at him, then continued.

"What're you goin' ta do with me, Ran?" he asked.

Ran looked the man over.

"Feed and cloth you," he answered.

"Then?"

"Then the Prince will see you. The rest is up to him," Ran said, trying to sound uninterested. "Are you finished?"

Ken nodded after looking himself over and dropped the cloth into the water. Ran rose and went to the door.

"Gentlemen," he said loudly, "a final rinse and towels."

The door opened to a footman standing there holding a stack of towels ready for employment. Ran glanced back at the figure still huddling in the tub.

"And we'll need a robe as well," he stated, letting the footmen with the water enter past him.

"Young Master Omi has already thought of it," the butler said entering with a robe draped over one arm.

Omi entered behind him and the door was closed again. He and the butler remained by it as Ran returned to the tub and pulled the plug out of the drain.

"I also took the liberty of sending a note to Prince Yohji advising him of why it was you missed dinner," the young seer chirped. "He's sent an invitation for us to join him in his guest suite in an hour's time."

Ran had motioned the wood boy to his feet after he'd been rinsed and was busy drying him with the towels. He nodded acknowledgment, and helped the towel enshrouded figure out of the tub.

"Robe," he demanded and the butler stepped forward.

Ran noted Omi hiding a smile as he took the robe and helped the wood boy on with it himself. He'd removed the dampened towels and handed them back to a footman in a heap. Every towel except the one covering the wood boy's head and hiding his face from the curious onlookers.

"I've had the guest room next to your's prepared and have sent out a search for clothing," Omi added.

"Good," Ran said, looking satisfied. "Let's head up there. I need to change as well."

He was soaked to the skin. His fresh, clean shirt was dirt smudged and sticking to him, making him uncomfortable. In the tiny room where the heat was high it wasn't bad, but the journey through the House would be another matter. He plopped back down on the stool and demanded a towel which he used to dry off his feet. Omi handed him his shoes and other belongings. When he rose he took the wood boy tightly by the arm.

"Let us go," he said sternly and they departed leaving a disastrously messy bathroom behind them.

-----

Prince Yohji's afternoon had gone about the way he'd expected it to. The Thirteenth House had developed a reputation for trouble and for him at least it was bearing fruit.

The morning had begun rational enough, but Aya's sudden collapse and her certainty that Ran was dead had thrown the whole First House into an uproar. Within an hour they'd been in the air, only to arrive and discover Ran wasn't dead, and there was little need of such a large escort.

Although he had been glad to see Ran alive and well the reasons for his being so added another problem to an ever increasing list. The corpse of a man dead ten hours looked like it'd been dead for more than ten years, the Lord's eldest son had turned traitor, and Ran's savior the mysterious wood boy.

He'd easily found Manx, who'd given him a brief report, and her cheeky banter had fortified him for the rest of what had followed.

First he'd gone with his brother and Lord Hidaka to view the corpse. It couldn't have been more gruesome. How it could've survived the fall intact was anyone's guess, but intact it was. It looked as if it had been tanned, and his brother, Prince Keiji, had asked whether they were certain they'd found the right one. But there was no question. It had been lying in the right place, and wore the robes and ring of the Chancellor's office. It was Weston, and now it was left to them to determine what had happened to him.

Next came word that the attacker and several others had been captured and were in route back to the House. They had, of course, determined to see them immediately, and adjourned to Lord Hidaka's study to await word of their arrival. It was there Manx had sent the wood boy with two armed men to be seen by him.

One look was enough to prove to Prince Yohji that the lower class of servants were barely above beasts of burden. He didn't want to get close enough to smell him. The Prince sent him away to be cleaned. A handy stalling tactic as it turned out since a messenger arrived from the holding cells shortly afterward.

The hour they spent with Takashi and his men was less than pleasant. They young man was completely enamored of Weston and refused to budge. Prince Keiji thought perhaps some spell had been practiced on him, but Yohji suspected he was just thin on reason. Not sure what to do with him they decided to leave Takashi and his men locked up until they'd had time for further discussion.

And then it'd been time for dinner, and despite his resolve to give Ran a break from his attentions, Yohji'd found himself looking forward to flirting with and possibly embarrassing the red-headed Lord. But he hadn't been seated long before several absences were noticed. Ran wasn't present, nor was a ward of Lord Hidaka's, one Omi Tsukiyono. Before the Prince had had time to become alarmed a note had arrived for him from the ward, informing him that they were with the wood boy...in the bath. After puzzling over the note for a moment, and trying to get a mental picture of Ran actually bathing that mass of filth and vermin, he shrugged and wrote a reply. Best to interview the mysterious wood boy in private. Not to mention Ran would be hungry and Yohji was curious about the ward.

The Prince excused himself immediately after dinner and returned to his rooms. He briefly informed his brother where he was going and why, and requested that some of their dinner's left overs be brought up. The footman who brought the food offered to remain to serve, but the Prince dismissed him. He didn't want any witnesses to the meeting. Shortly after the footman left a quiet knock at the door signaled the arrival of his interesting visitors.

"Come," he called and grinned in anticipation.

The door opened and in they marched. Ran, with a tight hold on the arm of a fiercely scowling brunet who wasn't unattractive now that he was clean, shorn, and dressed pleasingly; and a shorter blond with large blue eyes set into a sweet, but serious face.

"Welcome," Yohji said, his grin broadening.

The brunet glared up at him through his bangs, the blond bowed, and Ran's face remained impassive.

"I am Prince Yohji of the First House. Please," he smiled and motioned toward the small round table set before the fireplace. It was decked out with the remains of the evening meal. There were only three place settings as he had already eaten, so the fourth place was empty save a wine glass and tea cup. He moved behind the chair to the left of the empty place and held it out. "You must be Omi. My brother assures me that I've heard you sing, though I'm afraid I don't recall it."

"Perhaps you'll have another opportunity while you are here," Omi said, bowing again and accepting the seat.

"Ran, if you wouldn't mind sitting in your customary spot, the seat of honor must go to your young savior here, who I am most grateful to," again he stood behind a chair, the one beside Omi's and directly across the table from the empty place setting.

Ran gave the slightly shorter man a quick shove toward the offered seat before releasing him. Their eyes met briefly in quickly exchanged glares, and then Ran settled himself in the seat he'd been directed to. Yohji waited patiently while the former wood boy shifted nervously in place before finally moving forward and dropping into the chair. The Prince leisurely moved around the table taking in the exchanged glares and glances until he came to settle in his own seat.

"Please feel free to serve yourselves. I've already eaten," he said, uncorking a bottle of wine and filling all four glasses. As he did so his three guests helped themselves, and he noted the brunet's waiting to choose a utensil until after the others had. "I must say you do look much improved. Aren't the servants here required to bathe?"

When the wood boy only glared at him and continued to eat he looked to Omi.

"I believe," the blond began, clearing his throat, "that only those in close proximity to the family, and those handling the food are required to bathe. For everyone else its optional, or so I've been told."

"Well, we'll have to fix that won't we?" Yohji said glancing at Ran who gave him a noncommital shrug. "So, Omi, you are ward to Lord Hidaka?"

"Since my mother's death five years ago," the youth nodded.

"And they are good to you? The Lord and Lady?"

"Yes, very good," he answered then cast a quick glance at the still eating wood boy.

The servant was focusing all his attention on his food.

"Do try the wine," Yohji said smiling again. "Its actually quite good. The Lord must have a well stocked wine cellar."

"Yes. Under one of the wood sheds. I believe it was a root cellar at one point, and has since been modified," Omi nodded.

"Under the wood shed? What, not under the kitchen?" When Omi shrugged and shook his head Yohji tutted, "that must be most inconvenient."

Ran met the Prince's eyes before glancing at the wood boy who took a long swallow of wine and then continued eating. He had assumed knowledge of the passages must be common, but if Omi didn't know of the passages under the House then how did the wood boy?

"What's under the kitchen then?" Yohji asked also watching the servant.

"N-nothing," Omi answered, taking note of the others attention on the young man beside him. "Solid rock?"

The wood boy began a careful study of his plate, still shoveling food into his mouth.

"Indeed?" Yohji asked.

"At least, I don't think anything's under there. No one's ever spoken of there being a cellar under the House," Omi said carefully. "What? There is something?"

"A series of catacombs," Ran answered then tasted the wine, arching a discerning eyebrow.

"Really?" Omi asked, interested.

"Yes, but what else? Where do they go?" the Prince asked, still eyeing the wood boy.

The young brunet looked up and narrowed his eyes at him through his bangs, and Yohji grinned.

"Now that I have your attention I really must thank you again for saving Ran's life," he smiled, a glint in his eye. "He is very important to me."

The young man stopped chewing and his large brown eyes widened. He glanced back and forth between the smirking Prince and Ran's unreadable expression. His face turned beet red and he ducked his head, shoveling more food into his mouth. Yohji chuckled and noted Ran's failed attempt to stop his eyes from rolling.

"So, we do know something about the ways of the world," the Prince continued to smile. He looked at Omi and winked when he noticed his pink cheeks. "So, where do the catacombs go?" the Prince asked the top of the brunet's head.

The servant shrugged in reply.

"And just how is it that you know about these unknown catacombs?" the Prince asked a bit more seriously.

"Answer him," Ran commanded quietly.

The wood boy looked at him sharply then glared at Yohji.

"I found 'em by accident," he muttered.

"Accident," Yohji stated.

"Fell against the wall," the wood boy said then gulped down the rest of his wine. "What're ya gonna do with me?"

Yohji sat back and fingered his chin as if in contemplation.

"I'm not sure yet," he answered. "What would you like us to do?"

"What'd ya mean?" the younger man asked suspiciously.

"Well, we do owe you a great debt," the Prince stated. "And you've proven your self quite powerful. In fact, we are very interested in your potential."

The servant's eyes darted around the room before he ducked his head again, and shifted nervously in his seat.

"I didn't do anything," he muttered not looking at Ran. "I found him like that."

Yohji smirked. The young man was a terrible liar, which was extremely useful. He judged the accident story to be at least partially true, but the wood boy's last statement was not.

"Never-the-less, we do owe you," the Prince said softly. "So, what do you want?"

The wood boy raised his head slightly so he could meet Yohji's eyes through his bangs.

"You don't have to answer now, but think about it." The lanky Prince turned to Ran, "Now, tell me what you think of this House. Redeemable or not? Keiji said you seemed to think it was."

Ken blinked. One minute he was under the tall Prince's piercing gaze and probing questions the next he was dismissed. Although initially relieved he couldn't help but be suspicious. He was certain the Prince didn't believe him, but why would they offer to reward him? He'd never been rewarded before. Even when he'd come to the aide of Omi and his mother.

Glancing to his right he peeked at the youth. Ken had recognized him when he'd entered the bath. So he was the singer/seer Ran had told him about. The one who'd said he would trust the exotic red-head. The young blond was raptly listening to what the Prince was saying. His eyes unguarded revealed a startling intelligence which had been hidden behind his innocent expression. Ken decided he'd best be wary of the boy and glanced to his left at Ran.

The stoic Lord was giving monosyllabic answers to the Prince's questions and statements. His expression was perfectly schooled into a mask of cold indifference. As the nearly one sided conversation continued Ken realized it was a game between the two. Everything the Prince said was designed to crack the mask, and each barely verbal response a testament to its strength. Ken had to wonder whether there was any real affection between the two, because he could see no evidence of it.

Of course, you didn't need affection to have sex. He'd seen plenty of examples of lovers who didn't really like each other during his years of service. In fact, he could only name a few couples who had seemed to actually love one another, and they were all servants.

Omi suddenly interjected something into the conversation and Prince Yohji's attention was diverted to the youngest member of their unusual party. Ran's violet gaze locked with Ken's and the brunet felt himself blush and looked away. He'd been caught staring and he hadn't even realized he was doing it.

What Ken couldn't understand was that the young seer had been correct. He did trust Ran, although he had no idea why. It was almost instinctual. He felt himself unable to prevent it, and he found he had to admit to a certain feeling of safety when he was with the red-head. But why? Frowning, Ken noticed his wine glass was refilled and drank it down.

Glancing around the room he took in the muted colors of the decor, the dancing shadows from the fireplace and candles, the sounds of conversation, and felt himself relax. It was rather pleasant with the warm fire, the flickering lights, and the soft voices.

"So, they only call you 'Boy'?"

"W-what?" Ken asked, suddenly realizing the Prince's question had been directed at him.

"They call you 'Boy'," Yohji repeated. "Don't you have a name? You must have one."

Your name will mean your death.

His father's voice came clearly to him as he looked into the green eyes of the Prince. They seemed very green. More green than they had been earlier. He felt unable to look away.

"Just Boy," he answered softly, as if his voice were very far away.

The Prince continued to look at him. His eyes twinkled in the light. Alluring and compelling.

"Would you like more wine?" Yohji asked not releasing his gaze, which actually seemed to intensify. "Or some tea perhaps. I think you've had enough wine. Ran, do you mind?"

Ken was aware of the red-head pouring out tea in each cup, even though he couldn't break the hold the Prince's eyes had over him. But he didn't want to. And he didn't fight the light, seeking touch of magic in his mind or along his potential.

Across from him Yohji's eyes widened in surprise and slid sideways to Ran before coming to rest on Ken once more. When he looked away the spell was broken. Ken blinked rapidly and guzzled his tea.

"Good tea, isn't it?" Yohji grinned then rose to bid them good night. "We'll speak again tomorrow," he said to Ken. "Ran will see you to your room. Have a good night."

Ken noticed Ran blinking in surprise, presumably at being dismissed, but the red-headed Lord quickly covered it and rose as well. He stood by as Ken sprang to his feet and almost toppled over as a wave of dizziness washed over him. If not for Ran and Omi he would've fallen.

"Definitely too much wine," Yohji commented dryly.

-----

Yohji knocked quietly on his brother's door and was admitted immediately. One of the Crown Prince's personal attendants led him through the small drawing room and into the larger bed chamber. Prince Keiji was seated by the fire staring into it. He didn't look up as his brother entered.

"Well?" the Crown Prince asked once the footman had left.

"It is as Manx suspected. It is the magic of the Seat. He must be First Born, although I can't explain how, he must've survived the attack on his family. His power is extreme," Yohji answered softly.

"Has it grown beyond control?"

"No," Yohji said with certainty.

"Then we must get him paired. The sooner the better. That must be our priority," Keiji sighed at the fire.

"There is a tentative attachment already formed," Yohji said.

"Indeed? Who?" Keiji asked surprised.

"Ran."

"Ran the incompatible?" Keiji asked, finally turning to look up at his brother. His surprise was evident in his eyes. At Yohji's nod he sat back in thought for a moment before nodding himself. "Good. Encourage this. Make it permanent."

"You don't think it could weaken Ran's ability to serve father? Or his link to Aya?" Yohji asked.

"No, I don't think so," Keiji answered. "If anything I think it could mean the opposite. If the boy is as powerful as you claim and Ran can really control him, then we can't afford to lose his potential. Leave it to Ran."

"I don't think he's anymore aware of the attachment than the boy," Yohji mused.

"You think he won't be amenable?" Keiji asked, searching his brother's face.

"I'm not sure. It would suit his taciturn disposition to buck convention and be one of the few ever paired in their twenties, but then his solitary nature could cause a rejection. I think I'll let it alone and see what develops," Yohji said pursing his lips. "Or perhaps a tiny push in the right direction."

"Whatever you do don't muck it up," Keiji said in a cautionary tone. "If he is indeed First Born then it complicates everything else. We have to have him under control."

"Don't worry," Yohji said. "We will."

-----

Author's Note: Phew! Wow, this was a long one, but I couldn't figure out where to break it to make it shorter. I wrote this whole story as one long narrative with only the Parts as breaks. So, I had to create the chapter breaks when I typed it. Anyway, you didn't expect that bath scene to be romantic, did you? Sorry, but remember I'm writing an angry, untrusting Ken here. Don't worry. They'll start to warm up to each other a bit. And as for Ran's sort of easy time getting Ken into the tub, I figured Ran's a trained fighter and Ken isn't. Despite his strength I didn't think he'd be a real match for someone equally as strong and well trained. Thanks for reading! Please review!

Seph Lorraine: You're so sweet! :) Yes, there are paintings. I believe I even mentioned one. But I thought that the upper class in the House would expect to see a boy delivering wood, so as long as there was a boy delivering wood I don't think they'd really look at him. And the servants would, of course, see him but how often do they go hang around in the gallery studying paintings of the late Lord and his family? Also, it occurred to me that I should've described Ken's looks better in the fourth chapter, but after the bath scene I hope everyone can see that he was really effectively hiding his appearance. He started hunching his shoulders and hiding his face as soon as he arrived there. The only person I think should've figured it out was Omi, and he was close. He thought Ken was the product of an affair between his father and a farmer's daughter or wife. Thanks for reading! :)

Sara-chan: I'm glad you like it! Sorry about the confusion. We're getting to the chapters that hold more explanations for things, so hopefully that'll help. Weeellll, about Ran and Yohji...it'll be explained too. No worries! And thanks for reading "Once I Was Loved". I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for reading! :)

Baka-Chibbi: I'm glad you're happy! Well, I hope you liked it. I rewrote this chapter a lot trying to get it just right. Thanks for reading! :)

Precognition74: Yep, Omi's back. I'm working hard to utilize him and Yohji. The Pairing thing will be explained by Ran in an upcoming chapter, so I don't want to ruin it. Its nothing too great really, but you'll see. Thanks for reading! :)

Shikigami-kun: Sorry, there wasn't too much of a fight was there? I suppose I should've made it an all out water-fest. Oh well. I'm trying to get them together...sloooooooowly. I have had Ran in two dreams lately, but nothing I can use. Darnit! But, yeah, anytime I'm doing something that doesn't require a lot of thought I start to work on plots, or I imagine what's going to happen next in all my favorite fics by other authors. I really am addicted to fanfiction. Well, I didn't intentionally write a chapter without Ken. I just somehow broke up the story that way but didn't realize it until I was proof reading last Friday. :P Thanks for reading! :)

Ranny Boy: Was it amusing? I can't tell anymore. I've read it so many times. I hope so. Is your computer alright now? Mine spazzes out too, or sometimes I do. Thanks for reading! :)

Mondtanz: Yes! You get a bonus! Tristan was paired to Ken. Heh-heh-heh, and Yohji and Ran do deserve the eyebrow raising...sort of. And Omi has been keeping an eye on Ken and trying to figure out who he is. Omi is a genius after all, but geniuses don't know everything and often times the most obvious answer to a question is so outrageous that no one believes it. And Ken only used his power to cure the sick children. The rest of the time he let it rest dormant. I know it seems like someone should'a known, but just trust me. It'll all be explained...hopefully. Actually, I'll probably just confuse everyone and need an explanatory chapter at the end. O.O Thanks for reading! :)

Makami: Thanks! Yeah, no yaoi...yet. Look for that in the sequel. Hopefully there will be one. I have the outline for it. How was the bath? Okay? I think it ended up being more dramatic than I originally planned, but it sorta needed to be that way. What do you think of Ran and Yohji? Thanks for reading! :)

Sidheranma: Thanks! He was there in spirit. Thanks for reading! :)

CoolIce: Hi! Thank you so much! Ooo! I've been glomped! Thanks again! And I hope you had a merry Christmas as well. Mine was very nice, thank you. I was very lazy. My favorite thing next to good fanfiction. Thanks for reading! :)

RuByMoOn17: Thanks! And thanks for reading! :)

The Invisible Fan: Hee-hee-hee. Thanks, but don't die! I update every Monday or Sunday night depending on whether the site lets you at it. Sometimes I see that there's a new chapter to someone's story but I can't get it to come up and I have to wait. Thanks for reading! :)

Krysana: Hee-hee-hee! Well, now you know they weren't in a hot tub together. Not even close. I'm not even sure you could call the wrestling scenes fanservice, but I'm slooowly building their relationship, so there will be some "moments". Sorry if you're disappointed. Thanks for reading! :)

Elvengoddess00: Hee-hee-hee! Yes, he does, doesn't he? Do you think I have a fixation? Yay! Yay! Yay! I can't wait to read your chapter at the site! Bravo! Sneak peeks! Sneak peeks! Thanks for reading! :)

Hiro: Oh, thank you! It was actually meant to be read all in one go, but the parts are too long to post that way. More chapters are on the way! Thanks for reading! :)

Shinigami Lupin: Thanks! I'm glad you like it. Heh-heh-heh...well, we'll see about all that. Its actually going to be slowing down. O.O I hope you don't mind. And happy birthday late! Oh, about "Once I was Loved", I'm glad you liked it! I haven't written the sequel yet, but I know what's going to happen and I have the start of an outline. I'll probably start work on it once this is over. Thanks for reading! :)

Snowgirl that melts only in honey: Cool name. Sorry. That was my shortest chapter...I think. And I'm sorry about the pace slowing, but it can't be helped. I'm trying to flesh out the plot more and explain a few things. So its gonna get even slower. Sorry! Thanks for reading! :)