Warning: AU, Fantasy, PG-13, Ran/Ken.
Author's Note: There maybe some personality swapping going on here, at least in the beginning. Just bear with it. And now, will the plot twist you've all been waiting for sign in please! Please enjoy! Oh! And please read the important announcement at the end of the chapter. Thanks!
Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weiss.
First Born of the Thirteenth House
Part 3: Ran and Ken ( g )
Early the next morning Ran woke Ken and made him get dressed. After a quick breakfast he led his brooding companion from his room and out of the royal apartments to the nearest lift. Ken just went along silently. He didn't seem to care where they were going and didn't express any interest in finding out. Ran for once didn't enlighten him, but left him to brood in silence.
Once on the main floor Ran led him off the lift and back the way they had come the evening they'd arrived. Wrapped in warm coats they climbed into a waiting coach where Ran tucked a heavy travel blanket around Ken. Within moments they were airborne headed away from the First House and through the Gate.
After an hour or so of travel Ken did have to admit to some curiosity. He glanced sideways at Ran who had his funny looking spectacles perched on his nose which was stuck in yet another book. Ken had hardly seen the red-head without one over the last few days. He turned to look out the window again and then glanced back at Ran.
"So...where're we going?" he asked at last.
"Oh, you can talk," Ran said with a slight smirk. "I thought you'd lost the ability to speak."
Ken pouted and faced back out the window, but after a minute or two he looked back.
"Well?" he asked tersely.
"I'm not supposed to tell you. Aya's planned a treat for us and we're just supposed to relax and enjoy it," Ran answered, meeting his eyes. "She's trying to cheer you up."
"Oh."
Ken looked down at the blanket, then at the wall of the coach, then out the window again. Ran watched him for a moment then returned to his reading. Not too much later he glanced down when he felt a pressure against his arm. Ken was asleep and leaning on him. Ran smiled softly and readjusted the blanket around the younger man. In sleep Ken was as he'd been in the Thirteenth House, completely trusting and comfortable in his presence. Ran wasn't sure what he had to do to get the former servant to open back up to him, but he would try just about anything.
Two hours later their carriage landed and Ran shook Ken awake before climbing out into the bright sunshine. The former servant struggled to the door and peered out blinking and shielding his eyes from the brilliance outside of the dark of the coach interior.
"Perfect weather, and it looks like we have it all to ourselves just as Aya predicted," Ran commented from a few feet away where he stood stretching the kinks out of his back and legs.
Ken stumbled from the coach. They were on the crest of a little hill. As far as the eye could see in every direction were fields and hills of bright golden-yellow flowers waving in a light breeze. It was the field from his nightmares. The one he had vague memories of picnicking in as a child.
Beside him he was aware of Ran turning to address the driver and two servants who had accompanied them, but he was too overwhelmed to pay the red-head any mind. The sweet smell of the flowers filled his nostrils and took him back to that magical afternoon so long ago. He breathed it in and felt tears sting behind his eyes.
"What do you think?" Ran asked.
When he failed to answer the red-head leaned down and took in his expression.
"Have you been here before?" Ran asked quietly.
Ken nodded dumbly. Smiling gently Ran moved off a little way and began directing the servants where to set up the table and chairs they'd brought. The food followed, laid out in covered dishes. Aya had thought to include a second basket lunch for the servants and they spread a blanket out for themselves on the far side of the coach. When everything was ready Ran approached Ken again. The younger man was still staring out at the view. Enraptured.
"Ken?" Ran addressed him and waited until the former wood boy looked at him before continuing. He looked more than a little dazed. "Are you ready for lunch or would you prefer to take a short walk first?"
"Walk?" Ken asked softly.
It sounded as though he were asking for permission. Ran nodded readily and smiled, motioning down the gentle slope of the hillside. Ken moved ahead slowly. He looked about him as if he wasn't sure he was actually awake.
"Where are we?" he asked quietly once they'd reached the bottom of the hill.
"Nohara Kin'iro," Ran answered. "The Golden Grasslands. This is the last battlefield of the Great War, the war that ensured the monarchy and allied the Thirteen Great Houses. This very field was the site of the warriors of the First House's victory, and where the other Houses swore fealty to them. Afterwards it was named as a memorial to those who had fallen and to the First House that they would be charged with the care of the Kingdom forever after. It was enchanted so it would only know springtime. The season of rebirth. Rather ironically its become a favorite location for picnicking."
Ken nodded in acknowledgment and took a step forward. When he did the air was suddenly filled with the buzz of wings as hundreds of flutter bugs took flight. The delicate white wings and feathery tails glistened in the sunlight as the insects flew upward. Ken blinked at them in awe, reaching out to them. Several landed on his hand before flying away to resettle on the golden blooms a few feet away.
He released a deep sigh and swayed a bit on his feet. Ran was beside him instantly. The red-headed Lord rested a concerned hand on his shoulder.
"Perhaps we should eat," he said.
Ken nodded again and allowed himself to be guided back up the hill to the little table where once seated Ran served them both from the covered dishes. They ate quietly. Although he appeared to be enjoying the views and his book Ken could feel Ran's eyes on him every few minutes. He wasn't sure how to react. After years of searching he'd finally found the golden field, and it had been Ran who'd brought him there. Ran, who he wasn't sure he wanted to trust.
The stoic red-head ate and tried to read, but every few minutes he found himself watching Ken. The younger man had definitely had a reaction to the fields, but was it a good one? At least it wasn't angry. Ran had to admit he'd been surprised that Ken had been there before. Although he shouldn't have been. As he'd said the fields were popular, and Ken had lived as a First Born for five years before the tragedy that befell his family.
Catching himself about to glance at the former servant once more Ran sighed and set aside his book. But when he looked to Ken he found the young man laying back in his chair fast asleep. The healers had said he'd need a lot of rest while his magic replenished itself, but Ran was still surprised by the amount of time Ken spent in slumber. Sighing again Ran sat back and reopened his book. He'd just have to be patient with the former wood boy and hope that he could do the one thing that would bring Ken back out of his shell.
He wasn't even aware he'd fallen asleep. One moment he was watching the golden flowers wave in the breeze and the next...he was watching the golden flowers wave in the breeze only his perspective had changed. He was no longer sitting in a chair on the little hill looking across the fields. He was seated among the flowers, their light, sweet scent filling his lungs and making him dizzy. Shutting his eyes Ken breathed deep lungfuls of the air. He couldn't remember ever being able to smell the flowers in his nightmare before.
Slowly he opened his eyes and looked around him. There was no wall. Stretching out an arm he sought its presence, but his hand made no contact. He tried both arms. Still nothing. The wall was gone.
"Now you're here and I can finally tell you."
Ken blinked in surprise as he found himself suddenly standing atop a little hill. Tris was beside him. His brown tightly curled hair blowing in the soft breeze, and his cheeks dimpling as he smiled brightly.
"Tell me what?" Ken asked, his dream-self not at all surprised to find Tris beside him.
"Tell you that I'm sorry," Tris said, his smile fading into a pout. "I...regretted, Ken. I regretted being paired to you. That night...that night I was so scared. I regretted it for just a second. Can you forgive me?"
Ken stared at him.
"I forgive you," Ken stated adamantly. "And when you were pushed and fell and I heard you scream...I didn't know what to do. And you wouldn't come back."
"I heard every word, Ken," Tris said seriously. "Every word you said to me for all those years. I heard everything."
"Can I stay here?" Ken asked softly.
"No. We're not the ones you need now," Tris said. "But we will be waiting here."
"Hunh?" Ken asked, but in the distance over Tris's shoulder he could just make out a figure standing and watching them. He was tall and his hair looked like flame as the breeze tousled it about his head. Tris turned to follow Ken's line of sight, leaning into his side.
"Its Ran," Ken murmured and suddenly he was running. As he dashed across the field he could feel his muscles expanding as he grew taller, became stronger. Ahead of him the red-haired man stood waiting. Ken could feel the violet eyes on him and he put on a burst of speed. Long, elegant arms unfolded and opened toward him. He reached forward, ready to throw himself into their strong embrace.
A slight shake to his shoulder woke him and he found himself still in his chair on the hill top. Ran was crouched beside his chair, one hand resting on his shoulder. Violet eyes met his.
"Its getting late. We should go. Are you ready? We could take another quick walk if you want to," Ran said softly.
Ken felt himself tentatively smile as he sleepily met Ran's violet gaze. He felt as though a tightness in his chest was gone and he could breath easier. He felt freer.
"No, let's go home," he said.
Stunned, Ran could only nod stupidly in response. Ken had smiled at him. And he'd referred to the Palace as home. What had happened to cause such a sudden change?
"Are...are you alright?" he asked.
The former servant stood slowly and glanced around, taking note that except for his chair the coach was packed and ready. He looked around at the fields then smiled at Ran again.
"I'm fine, thanks," he answered and meant it.
"I'm glad," Ran said, tentatively smiling in return.
Without another word they climbed aboard the coach and began the flight home.
"Can we go back there again?" Ken asked after they'd gone through the Gate directly above the golden grasslands.
"Of course," Ran answered, watching him carefully. "So...you had a nice nap?"
"Yeah. I dreamed I was talking with Tris," Ken said. "Before every time I tried to reach him or my parents there was this wall in the way, but this time it was gone. I'm not sure why, but maybe bein' able to see the fields again helped somehow. Thanks for bringing me there, and remind me to thank Aya too."
Ran stared. He couldn't help it.
"What?" Ken asked.
"I'm sorry, its just...well, you've hardly said three words in a row to me for days now," Ran said.
"Oh. Yeah, sorry 'bout that," Ken said, fidgeting with the edge of the travel blanket. "I wasn't sure if I should trust you. After what you told me about being paired I felt like you were tryin' to control me, or use me. And it made me doubt Tris. I thought he only liked me because we were paired."
Ran blinked at him then bowed his head.
"I'm sorry, Ken," he said, his voice low as he studied his hands. "That was not my intention. I probably worded it badly. I'm not sure if you could tell, but I'm not very good with people. This is all very new to me."
Ken watched him for a second before elbowing him lightly.
"That's okay," he shrugged. "I feel a little better about it now."
Ran looked at him again.
"It is a form of control, but really it's in everyone's best interest. Without being paired a magic user's potential can grow beyond their ability to control it. Before pairing was sanctioned by the crown after the Great War there were countless bids for power by those driven insane by their potential. For almost two thousand years it was House against House."
Ran stopped speaking when he realized Ken was staring at him.
"Sorry. I'm rambling in an effort to defend myself," he said.
"No. Its interestin'. Why aren't any of the royal family paired?" Ken asked.
"Well," Ran cleared his throat, "the King can't share his throne, and anyone of them could inherit if something were to happen. So..."
"So they have to remain all powerful," Ken muttered, still annoyed.
"Essentially," Ran said. "We're not sure what it is, but there is something about the First House which stabilizes their magic so it doesn't overwhelm them."
"But everyone else gets paired to keep their magic from gettin' outta control," Ken stated.
"Yes. Particularly in your case," Ran said.
"Hunh? Why?"
Ran fidgeted for a few seconds and looked out the window.
"Because," he said at last. "Because you were born a twin."
"So?" Ken asked.
"You know?" Ran asked, turning startled eyes on the younger man.
"Yeah. Kase was born a few minutes before me but he died," Ken answered, shrugging.
"Kase," Ran repeated the name cautiously. "Twins are not allowed to be First Born. It's the law. Twins double the potential of the Seat magic and make it even harder to control. The reason you're so powerful is that you inherited Kase's potential the moment he died."
Ken stared his brow darkening.
"Ancient texts say that pairings with twins were rarely successful," Ran continued. "When Yohji judged your potential he thought your power came from being unpaired, but at the trial the professors followed your potential to its source."
"And that's why they attacked me?" Ken asked. "Because I was born a twin?"
"Yes," Ran replied, frowning. "That's one of the reasons every House must have a seer. They judge the potential of every possible match when a marriage is arranged. They see the future of the children that could be born. If they see twins then the match isn't allowed. The Thirteenth House had no seer."
"So, if Kase had lived...what would've happened?" Ken asked looking Ran straight in the eye.
Ran met his gaze. The Lord's eyes looked sad.
"I can't say for sure," he said honestly.
Ken knew he looked upset. He wasn't at all sure he liked what he was hearing.
"You said pairings with twins aren't successful, but Tris and I were always close," Ken said almost desperately. "And...well...I chose you, right? So we won't fail. Will we?"
"I sincerely hope not," Ran said softly with a small smile. "I doubt we'd survive."
"Hunh? W-what'd ya mean?" Ken asked wide eyed.
"The healers who saw to you told Aya that our connection was very strong and couldn't be safely undone," the red-head replied. "We're stuck with one another."
"Were they...were they going to try to undo it?" Ken asked nervously.
"No," Ran answered firmly. "I would not have let them. I chose you as well."
They exchanged a silent look before both turning away, slightly embarrassed. Ken breathing out a silent sigh of relief.
"So," he said after a few minutes. "You've never been paired before?"
"No," Ran answered studying the cover of the book in his hands. "I was incompatible. My father and mother tried to find a match once my potential was discovered, but they were not successful."
Ken studied Ran's sullen expression and down cast eyes.
"Was that bad?" he asked.
"Not really. When a child from a lower house is born with potential it is a great honor to the family when that child is paired to a First Born. Or even a Second, Third, or Fourth," Ran explained. "Before you came along I'd assumed it was because of the gift I share with Aya, but you've disproved that theory."
"You were just waitin' for me," Ken declared smugly. "If you were already paired to someone then you couldn't be paired to me, could you?"
"No," the red-headed Lord said.
"See?" Ken grinned.
Ran was once again taken aback by the sudden change in his companion. He felt himself smile in return. Then slowly Ken's smile faded.
"Maybe that's why...naw, no one knew," he muttered. "Never mind."
"What?" Ran asked.
"Well, I c'n remember that just before the murders I noticed people were lookin' at me funny. Tris said they were worried because I didn't have any magic, but I just thought maybe it was because of Kase 'n me," Ken said then shook his head. "But no one knew about Kase. Just me 'n Tris."
Ken shrugged and glanced out the window. Ran stared at him trying to process what he'd just been told. The former servant yawned loudly and turned back with sleepy eyes.
"I'm tired again," he said. "How long 'til I'm back to normal?"
"A few more days," Ran answered blankly as his thoughts replayed what Ken had just said. "Ken, when did your potential manifest?"
"A couple of days before the murders. Okasan pricked her finger and I healed it. But she'd been tryin' for a long time to get me to do something and nuthin' ever happened," he said lazily, resting his head back against the seat top and sighing. "At first I hardly had any magic. Less than you."
"And it just developed over time?" Ran asked.
Ken shook his head.
"It was there...when Tris died. I could feel it," he answered.
"What did you mean only you and Tris knew about Kase?" Ran asked carefully. "You mean your parents told you two?"
"No. Only we could see 'im," Ken said and began squirming in an effort to get comfortable. He missed Ran's eyes widening in shock. "Tris didn't like him. Said he was a liar and I shouldn't trust him. He was right."
Ran felt his brow furrow and his mouth twist downward in a puzzled frown. Ken didn't notice. He wiggled himself into the corner and closed his eyes, one knee braced against Ran's to hold him in place.
"You mean you could see him? You and Tris could see your dead sibling?" Ran asked carefully.
"Yeah. He was a ghost," Ken answered bluntly. "We could see him and talk to him too."
"Was he an infant?" Ran asked as the hairs on the back of his neck began to rise.
"No, he was always a few inches taller than us. Always dressed the same as me. Even that night. The night we were thrown in the pit. He was wearin' a nightshirt same as me," Ken mused.
Ran tried to keep his breathing deep and even in order to remain calm. He swallowed reflexively and glanced nervously around the interior of the coach before shaking his head violently. Ken sensed the movement and opened his eyes.
"You saw him that night?" Ran asked, his mouth dry.
Ken nodded.
"He spoke to me," he said.
"What'd he say?" Ran asked quietly.
"He said, 'It should've been me.'," Ken replied, watching Ran curiously.
"Have you seen him since then?"
Ken shook his head, then narrowed his eyes when he saw Ran relax a little.
"Why? What're you thinking?" Ken asked, sitting back up.
"I'm thinking how unusual it is that a ghost should grow and change," Ran said, frowning once more. "Taken by itself it probably means his spirit simply had a connection to your's when you were younger. But coupled with the other odd occurrences in that House its very suspicious. If you're up to it I'd like to tell Omi and Yohji about this when we arrive home."
"Okay," Ken shrugged. He snuggled back into the corner once more and sighed. "But I don't see any reason to panic. I haven't seen Kase in fourteen years, and he is dead."
Author's Note: Well, now you know about Kase. What do you think? Shocked? Surprised? Knew it all along? Anyway, please leave a REVIEW! Please! Thanks for reading!
Important Notice: Okay, here's the bad news...a-hem...I'm going on vacation, so no update next week. I'm sorry! Sorry! But I want and need a vacation! I'll be back with the next chapter on the 20th. And it'll rocket toward the end. This was the last of the "fluffy" chapters and the last of the mostly Ran & Ken chapters too. Sorry again!
Fiery-icicles: Yay! You like the fluffy moments! Well, this one had some plot too. Thanks for reading:)
Shikigami-Kun: Thank you! You didn't see that coming? Did you guess who it was after you knew? Things will start to work out for them now, but of course all smooth and clear is no fun. So there will be little bumps and hurdles. This week was both better and worse, but now I'm off to Miami, so I really have nothing to complain about. Thanks for reading:)
Precognition74: Gees, the adventure's coming! Soon...maybe...next time I'll just post all the fluffy chapters together so people can read them in a clump and get past them. What'd you think of the twin thing and Kase? Can you "see" where its going? Thanks for reading:)
RosefaerietaleRed: Was it unexpected? Yay! Success! Did you know it was Kase? Thanks for reading:)
Krysana: Yay! Worrying and snuggling. I like it too. Subconscious snuggling. Yeah, I had the Gluhen scene in mind. Weeeell, technically he isn't in love with him...yet. Thanks for reading:)
Celeste1: Oh, good! I'm glad! Oh, and thanks for the "Imouto" advice. I'll keep my eyes out for it in future chapters. I'm not sure I used it again. It was sort of a slip on Ran's part. Thanks! And thanks for reading:)
Makami: Oh, thank you! The sequel, so far, isn't as slow, so I'm glad I took my time in this one. Thanks for reading:)
RuByMoOn17: Hee-hee-hee! Thank you! I hope so! Thanks for reading:)
Constantine: Yeah, he's got some issues, but who wouldn't? Ummm...indoor plumbing? O.O Thanks for reading:)
Akimoto Kin: Oh, thanks! I liked that too! Yep, he's a twin. What Ken's powers will be ultimately used for remains to be seen, but he does have many special gifts which will be revealed much, much later. ;) Thanks for reading:)
Nikki: Oh, thanks! There will be many conflicts between Ken and the First House. He is tied to them because of his pairing and not really because of conscious choice. I'm hoping that will remain a device for tension throughout the sequels. Are you getting an inkling about the real mystery now? It is just out of reach at this point, but will be explained BIG TIME when I come back from vacation. I swear! Thanks for reading:) P.S. You can say that again! ;)
