Warning: AU, Fantasy, PG-13, Ran/Ken (its sorta slowly startin ;)
Author's Note: I'm back! And I had a great time, but I have some advice...if you go for a ride on the Everglades and forget your sun-block, don't say to yourself, "Oh, its only a half an hour. I'll be okay." Yeah, half an hour over open water on a reflective metal airboat! Ouch! Needless-to-say we still had a great time, but we're glad to be home with our kitty. Okay, enough about that and onto the story! The last chapter of Part 3! Please enjoy and thanks for all the reviews!
Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weiss.
First Born of the Thirteenth House
Part 3: Ran And Ken ( h )
"That's the creepiest thing I've ever heard," Aya stated.
They were all sitting in the King's study within the royal apartments. Keiji, Yohji, Aya, Omi, Ran, and Ken who was currently the focus of everyone's attention. He shifted self consciously, not entirely comfortable with their combined scrutiny.
The study was surprisingly relaxing despite the grand desk that sat at the back of the room in front of a wall of full book shelves. There were two official looking chairs placed before it, but the small group was currently seated in a comfortable nook created by a large bay window. The curtains were closed against the dark and cold, and the lit candles and fire in the fireplace across the room made the light dim and cosy.
Despite the serious nature of their conversation Yohji thought the more informal setting would be helpful in getting Ken to open up to all of them. Ran had notified Aya about what the former servant had told him in the coach, and she had gathered the others, but there was no guarantee that Ken would be of a mind to repeat the conversation once they arrived back home. He'd been surly of late.
However, the former wood boy had surprised them all by being not only willing, but even cheery. A vast change from the sour and sullen young man who'd left that morning. And until now he'd been very open, but he seemed to shrink a little under their collective staring.
Ran cleared his throat.
"Aya, that isn't helpful," he said.
"I'm sorry, Niisan, but its true," she stated and looked at Ken again.
"And for fourteen years there's been no sign of him?" Keiji asked and Ken shook his head.
The crown Prince sat and scratched his chin in thought.
Yohji, who sat to his brother's right, caught Ken in his gaze and studied him hard. The younger man tensed in his seat as he felt the Prince's magic pass through him, searching. After a moment Yohji withdrew and Ken slumped against Ran.
"Yohji," the red-head said, scowling, "was that necessary?"
"Probably not," the Prince answered. "My apologies, Ken. There is no connection that I can find. That is, other than his connection to Ran," he informed his brother.
"As it was at the Thirteenth House," Keiji stated.
"Yes," Yohji replied.
"Ken, who told you you were a twin?" Omi asked from his seat beside the former servant. "Your parents?"
"Kase did," Ken answered and glanced to his left when he felt Ran stiffen in his seat.
"Kase did?" Keiji asked as though he needed clarification.
"Yeah. I don't remember when, but I must'a been pretty small," Ken answered. He scratched the back of his neck thinking. "He was just...there. Ya know?"
He almost blanched when he glanced past Ran and saw the size of Aya's eyes.
"All the time?" Omi asked, attracting his attention again.
"No. Just...once in a while. Like...like he was checkin' up on us," Ken said.
Yohji leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees and staring intently at the younger man.
"Checking up on you?" he repeated.
Ken nodded.
"I find it more than a little suspicious that he disappeared the very night your family were murdered. Only weeks before Weston, who we know was possessed, rose to his elevated position," Keiji said. "That the spirit of your deceased twin would come to you at all is more than a little remarkable. That he would grow and change as if he were alive is very intriguing, and is at least an indication that at that point he was connected to you."
"Ken was believed dead by everyone," Omi commented almost absently. "Including Weston. Perhaps any connection they had ended when Ken was pushed into the pit. After all, if he were to die then anything or anyone connected to him would surely risk their existence as well."
"Indeed," Keiji said. "And this Kase...if he were using Ken as a host then he'd need to use someone else after Ken's supposed demise."
"Using me as a host?" Ken asked, confused. "What'd ya mean?"
"But that would mean this Kase would've had to be extremely powerful," Yohji said, ignoring the former servant. "To be a spirit and utilize Ken's power to exist, then to switch to Weston, and without any available magic use the man's life force to survive...," the Prince shook his head, "that would require a rare gift."
"We know Ken inherited his twin's magic," Omi reminded everyone, "so where would Kase get all his power from?"
"That's all supposition," Ran stated. "All we know for certain is that Ken was visited by a spirit who claimed to be his brother."
"There must've been a connection, Ran," Yohji insisted. "Otherwise this Kase wouldn't have been able to appear to them. Neither he nor Tris had the gift of mediumship."
"Being his twin would 've formed a bond," Omi stated. "But would it have lasted past death?"
"Omi," Keiji said. "What do you know about Ken's birth?"
The young seer straightened in his seat and glanced nervously at Ken who looked back curiously. The youth cleared his throat and redirected his eyes to the crown Prince.
"Well, I did ask Lord Hidaka before we left what he knew," he said hesitantly. "He confirmed the fact that there wasn't a seer present in the House at the time, however he wasn't present either. When Ken's father Ascended to the Seat his uncle was sent here as an embassador. The official version says that the birth was normal and without incident, but...well...after Ken was born his parents were paired...to one another."
Everyone sat in stunned silence for a moment.
"My parents were paired?" Ken asked with a small smile.
"Y-yes," Omi answered. "After you were born they were."
"Oh, what great bloody fools we are," Yohji muttered.
Keiji didn't say anything but clasped his hands together into one tight fist.
"Which means that before Ken was born his father was paired to someone else," Keiji stated.
"Yes," Omi said, nodding. "It seemed to me that there must've been some problem with the birth or something else that happened around the same time for a successful pairing to be broken. Pairings aren't just undone. Not successful ones. And...and according to House records the marriage of Ken's parents wasn't always...amicable. So, it struck me as strange, and I...well...I dug around until I found a name. Mareo Nobu. He's mentioned often in House records right up until after Ken was born and then his name disappears."
"Mareo Nobu," Keiji repeated.
"But there must've been a record of who the late Lord Hidaka was paired to," Yohji stated. "Those things are usually part of the family register and House log, aren't they?"
"Indeed," Omi stated. "Which is another reason I found it so odd. The information wasn't there. As if someone didn't want it known. I asked Lord Hidaka, and he confirmed that Mareo Nobu had been paired to his brother since they were children. He couldn't answer as to why the records were missing, but he remembered hearing of his brother's being repaired to his wife and thought it strange but was perhaps an attempt to improve their marital relations."
"Was he present, this Mareo Nobu, was he present at Ken's birth?" Ran asked.
Aya gripped his arm tightly and he placed one hand over her's.
"Yes," Omi stated. "As was Ken's father and two mid-wives. At least, that's what Lord Hidaka told me."
"And does Lord Hidaka know where to find him?" Keiji asked.
"Somewhere in the western isles near the Fourth House. Lord Hidaka remembers his brother mentioning in a letter the successful transfer of his pairing from Nobu to Akiko, Ken's mother," Omi answered.
"And the midwives?" Aya asked.
Omi glanced at her and frowned.
"Both dead," he stated. "They died shortly after the birth. Reportedly of illness."
Keiji snorted.
"I wonder," he muttered.
"Wait, wait, wait," Ken said suddenly. "Are you sayin' that Otosan and this...Nobu...covered up Kase's birth and murdered the midwives?"
Omi just looked at him. A slow red blush painting his cheeks.
"Are you sayin' that my parents didn't get along!" the former servant asked more hotly.
"W-well, a-according to...," the young seer stammered.
"They loved each other," Ken stated rising to his feet.
"Ken, sit down," Ran ordered.
"But he's sayin'..."
"I'm well aware of what Omi is saying," the red-headed Lord said sternly. "Sit."
Ken glared at Omi and huffed angrily, but sat.
"You're going to wear yourself out," Ran said more softly in Ken's ear. "Before they were paired your parents may not have been as close as they were afterward. Their marriage was arranged. They may not have even known one another before they were wed. Omi is merely stating what he knows from the House's official documents and your uncle's memory."
The former wood boy pouted and stared hard at the floor. Omi watched him worriedly.
"We should've known he was paired to someone else before his wedding. The arrangement of the marriage was common knowledge. It just never occurred to me," Yohji stated.
"You weren't alone," Keiji replied.
"I'll send scouts out immediately after this Mareo Nobu," the lanky Prince stated standing to leave.
"Do," his brother said still watching Ken. "I want to know the instant he's found. Perhaps then some of our many questions can finally be answered."
The crown Prince also rose and followed his brother out of the study. The silence that remained was tense.
"Ken," Omi said softly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."
Ken shrugged and shifted in his seat.
"Thanks," he said at last. "Sorry I got mad. I remember them lovin' each other. I never knew they were paired."
"Well, it is unusual for married couples to be paired since most upper class marriages are arranged in adulthood while pairings happen in infancy," Omi said tentatively. "It really is an unusual case. Successful pairings aren't undone. Ever. Well...hardly ever."
"Why do you think Ken's parents would've done this then?" Ran asked the seer.
"Ken's birth. It must've been very traumatic. Having twins, which is against the law, then losing one," Omi said softly.
"Your poor mother," Aya said glancing at the former wood boy.
Ken shifted again uncomfortably. He wasn't sure what to do with the sympathy Omi and Aya were showing him. He glanced at Ran for an idea and found the red-headed Lord studying him curiously.
"We thought you were the product of an affair," he said, smirking.
"You thought...what! Why!" Ken demanded staring at him indignantly.
Aya and Omi blinked in surprise, but the energy in the room felt clearer suddenly.
"Because you obviously had the Seat magic but the records said the heir was deceased and hadn't shown any indication of having potential when he was alive," Ran said calmly. "It never occurred to us that you had survived."
Ken glared at him but it lacked malice.
"We thought the heir was actually the second child. Second Borns can still have quite a bit of potential, but not as much as First Borns. Often they are paired as well which would've explained Tris," the stoic Lord continued.
"Well, technically I am second born," Ken said.
"No, you're a twin," Omi stated and everyone looked at him. "Twins are special. They double the potential. One is equally as powerful as the other, and when one dies the other inherits their potential making them twice as powerful. That's why they're so dangerous," he added more quietly. "In the past people have tried to harness that power."
The young seer blushed again as Ran and Ken continued to stare at him. Aya saved him by clearing her throat and jumping up to stand before them.
"So, you never told me," she said smiling cheerily, "how was your day? Did you have fun? Did you...frolic among the flowers?" she asked archly.
Ken blinked up at her and Ran scowled. Omi hid a small smile by turning his head.
"It was great," Ken answered his bright smile suddenly back in place. "I couldn't find that field anywhere. I thought I'd dreamed it."
"Dreamt it," Ran corrected.
"You mean you'd been there before?" Aya asked perching on the seats the Princes had vacated.
"Once," Ken replied.
Ran smiled at him quietly as he told the story of that long ago picnic.
"What was your mother like?" Ken asked later that evening as he lay curled on his side in bed waiting for Ran to climb in and blow out the candle.
He watched as the red-headed Lord went through his nightly bedtime routine. Ran seemed to have several routines for various times during the day, but it was his bedtime routine that Ken had memorized over the last few days.
Ran appeared to be considering the question as he set out his clothes for the next day on his clothing rack. After carefully choosing what to wear he inspected each piece for lint or dirt, and brushed it clean if he found any. When that was done he removed his heavy robe, folded it, and laid it across the foot of his side of the enormous bed before finally climbing in under the covers. He adjusted his pillows so he could sit up and retrieved his book from the bedside table.
"She was...serene," he answered at last, settling in to read.
"Serene?" Ken asked still curled on his side watching the stoic man.
"Yes. She was always calm. Nothing ever seemed to disturb her," Ran replied.
"Did she look like you?"
"More like Aya. I take after our father," Ran answered absently as he focused on his book.
"What're ya readin'?" Ken asked after a few minutes had passed.
"Hmmm? History of the Great War," Ran answered.
"History your favorite type of book?"
"Hunh?" Ran asked glancing down in slight confusion at the former wood boy. "Uh...no, philosophy. Why all the questions tonight?"
"I wanna get to know you," Ken stated. "We're paired, so that means we'll be best friends."
"Does it?" Ran smirked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Tris 'n me were," Ken persisted.
"That's true," Ran smiled turning back to his book.
Ken rolled onto his back and stretched his arms up over his head. He looked to his left toward the tall windows whose drapes were closed against the chill winter night. When he'd first come to Ran's room the bed's curtains had been pulled closed at night as well, but now they hung open near the four massive posts that held up the canopy. Idly he fingered the material, tipping his head back on the pillows to look at it.
"When'll they send me back down to my room?" he asked releasing the curtain and looking back to Ran.
The red-head glanced sideways at him once more.
"You're not going back to your room," he said simply.
Ken blinked at him.
"Ursula says people who are paired prefer to be physically close to one another. She suggested to the King and Queen that they refurbish the room next to mine," he explained.
"Isn't that Aya's?" Ken asked.
"No. She's a little further down the hall. The room behind this wall," he said indicating the one behind them, "is a sitting room we use in the summer. The King and Queen are planning to have it changed over sometime in the next few weeks," Ran said waiting for Ken's reaction.
"So...am I stayin' here until then?" he asked carefully.
Ran nodded.
Ken looked around the bed.
"Okay," he said shrugging. "The bed's big enough for eight, so it'll do for you 'n me. As long as you don't mind."
"Eight?" Ran asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Yeah. If you take the pillows off."
Ran glanced around the bed then cocked a skeptical eyebrow at his companion.
"Five across and three at the bottom," Ken explained.
"Tight fit," Ran commented.
"Yeah. This bed is about the size of the room I shared in the attic at the other House, an' there were eight of us in there. Course some were pretty small," he said then yawned.
Ran watched the former wood boy, his gut twisting. Ken's life had been so different from his own. With so many differences between them he wondered if they'd ever be good friends or even be able to really relate to one another. For a moment he allowed himself to feel worried and unsure again before he shook it off. He was committed and nothing would change that.
To his left Ken yawned again and snuggled back into his pillows, pulling the covers up almost to his nose.
"Mmmm, I like this," he murmured.
"What?" Ran asked.
"Bein' able to sleep in a bed," Ken replied sleepily. "Iz comfy."
"Will my candle bother you? If I read a little longer?" Ran asked softly.
"Nope," Ken answered. "Night, Ran."
"Good night, Ken," the stoic Lord said still watching him. "Sleep well."
Ran gasped and jerked awake when a heavy weight suddenly landed on him. Blinking rapidly he stared up at the shadowy figure crouched above him. In the dim light of the room chocolate brown eyes with a devilish twinkle stared back.
It only took the red-head a moment to realize it was morning and for some ungodly reason Ken was hovering over him on his hands and knees. He felt his startled expression change to one of confusion and annoyance. Ken just grinned and bounced in place causing the feather mattress to shake.
"Its morning!" he cried happily, rolling away from Ran and hopping off the bed.
Ran remained where he'd been, lying comfortably on his back, and stared incredulously at the former servant who was yanking open the bedroom curtains. Morning light flooded the room causing Ran to groan and cover his eyes. He silently thanked the gods they had an ocean view, which meant the sun was on the other side of the House in the mornings.
Ken turned from the window and beamed at the still reclining Lord. He looked grumpy but that didn't bother the cheery brunet one bit. Ran was his friend. Their being paired meant Ken wasn't alone anymore. For the first time in days he'd slept without nightmares and he'd awoken feeling refreshed and energized. In fact he couldn't ever remember feeling this good.
"Good mornin', Ran," he said cheerily, coming back to the bed to lean on it.
The red-headed Lord uncovered his eyes and glared at him.
"Good morning," he stated coldly.
Ken grinned.
"Am I to expect this sort of outburst every morning?" Ran demanded coldly.
"If I'm feelin' this good," Ken declared.
Ran groaned again and rolled over onto his side, turning his back on his bright eyed companion.
"I shall ask the King to hurry in the remodeling of the sitting room," he grumbled.
Ken climbed up on the edge of the bed and bounced again.
"Hey! I finished my dinner last night. Ya know what that means," he said smiling broadly.
"We can release you back into the wild?" Ran stated not turning.
"Are you gonna be this grumpy every mornin'?" Ken asked.
"Yes."
Ken's good mood remained undampened as they washed up and dressed. He was equal parts nervous energy and excitement about meeting the rest of the royal family again now that he was recovered enough to eat with them once again. But his eager anticipation turned to confusion as they departed Ran's rooms and headed out of the royal apartment.
The former wood boy glanced around uncertainly as Ran led them out to the main hall, back down one flight of the grand stair case, and along the hall on that floor. More than halfway down its length a second, smaller corridor branched off to the right. At its end Ken could make out a set of closed double doors with two guards standing along side them.
"Where are we? I thought we were having breakfast with the royal family?" he asked looking questioningly at Ran.
The red-headed Lord smirked at him.
"We are," he answered. "The whole royal family."
"Hunh?"
Before Ran could answer they'd reached the doors which were pulled open by the guards. The room beyond them seemed bright and loud with lively conversations. As they stepped through every voice stilled and Ken felt many, many eyes settle on him.
He gulped.
The room was long and wide, ending in a row of windows like the drawing room in the royal apartments. Two long tables stretched the length of the space, connected on the right end by a third, smaller table so all together they formed a large "u". Chairs lined both sides of all the tables and each one had a place setting before it. There were over one hundred in all, and more than half of them were occupied by people of all ages in all manner of dress. Some even appeared to still be in their night clothes. And they were all staring at him.
Ken stumbled to a halt, but Ran caught his arm and dragged him along toward the head table.
Slowly, softly the conversations started up again. There were lots of whispers.
Ran led him around the head table to the far side where there were two empty seats. Aya sat beside one with Princess Chiyo, the King and Queen's eldest daughter, on her immediate left. That's when Ken noticed the King and Queen were sitting at the center of the head table facing the length of the room. Their eldest children seated at their sides the rest arranged by gender and age with the three youngest seated across the table in the center of the "u".
Ken couldn't remember all their names, but he nodded his head to them as he and Ran took their seats, Ran beside Aya and Ken at the end of the table. He noted that if he weren't present the sides would be balanced and wondered if that was a bad sign or not.
"So, young Master Hidaka, Ursula has given you leave to join the rest of us at last," the King boomed from his position down the table. The room stilled again to listen.
Ran elbowed Ken and motioned with his head that the former wood boy should respond.
"Y-yes, sir, your Majesty," he stammered leaning forward to see the King.
He found the King was also leaning forward over his plate and looking back at him critically.
"I must say you do look better than the last time I saw you," the monarch said.
Ken blinked at him.
"Uh...thank you?" he said uncertainly.
"The King and I visited you while you were ill," the Queen explained suddenly leaning forward.
"Oh. Thank you, your Majesties," Ken replied.
"A-hem," Ran cleared his throat, loudly.
"Let us eat," Prince Keiji said from his father's left.
"Very well," the King responded and sat back.
He rang a large bell beside his plate and footmen carrying trays entered from one of two doors at the far end of the room. Large bowls and plates containing a variety of foods were set along the center of each table, the same dishes repeating every four or five places.
The people at the table barely waited for the food to be set down before they started helping themselves. At the same time their conversations resumed at the volume they'd been at when Ran and Ken had entered.
"All these people are part of the royal family?" Ken asked quietly, watching the antics of the seated throng.
"Yes," Ran answered, also looking around. "Except Omi."
Ken looked up then followed Ran's gaze to the other end of the head table where Omi was sitting around the corner next to Prince Michio.
"There must be eighty people in here," Ken said incredulously.
"Eighty-six," Ran replied. "If they're all here."
"This is where we normally eat," Aya said leaning forward to smile at Ken past her brother. "We only have quiet family dinners once a week or so."
"Where do all these people live?" Ken asked as several plates of food were set before them.
Aya and Ran started helping themselves before answering, Ran also filling Ken's plate.
"They live here," Aya answered, smirking at her brother's unconscious actions. "This floor and the two above are all royal apartments. The wings too."
Ken's eyes widened. He'd realized the First House was large, but the scope was just beginning to hit him. If the people present only represented the royal family then imagining the diplomats, advisors, courtiers, chancellors, and guardsmen plus their families boggled his mind. And those numbers didn't include the staff, professors, magic and otherwise, tutors, healers, seers, and all of their families. The First House was more like a city than a home.
"But of course for special occasions we eat in the great hall," Aya was saying.
Ken blinked at her.
"There's room for everyone to eat in there, and room on the floor for dancing or entertainers," she said smiling brightly. "We'll be celebrating Ran's birthday in there this summer," she added leaning into her brother who was quietly eating.
"You'd better eat while its hot, Ken," Ran stated.
"R-right," he stammered turning to his food.
Ran had given him a selection of fruits along with eggs, toast and a soup he'd become fond of. Ken hurriedly dug in, all while trying to ignore the feeling of eyes curiously studying him.
"What are your plans today?" the King called down to them.
"If Ken is up to it I'd like to give him a tour of the House," Ran replied.
"Good idea," King Renjiro nodded. "How long before he begins his lessons?"
"The healers advised Ursula that he wait a few more days," Aya answered turning to face him.
His majesty nodded again in satisfaction and sat back.
"So, when's your birthday?" Ken asked Ran quietly.
"Mid-summer," the red-haired Lord answered without looking up from his meal. "Nearly half a month after the Solstice."
"When's your birthday, Ken?" Aya asked, leaning to see past Ran again, indicating she'd been listening in.
"Not sure," Ken answered, munching thoughtfully on his toast. "Some time in the winter I think. Omi prolly knows."
They paused and glanced at the seer who stopped eating and smiled at them. Aya smiled and Ken waved.
"Do they always...," before Ken could finish Aya called loudly down the table to Omi causing Ran to frown irritably and lean away from her.
"When's Ken's birthday?" she yelled.
Omi blinked in surprise.
"Two days after the winter Solstice," he called back.
"You're both Solstice children!" Aya said excitedly. "And opposites! You know what that means," she added winking.
"What does that mean?" Ken asked Ran.
"Nothing," the stoic Lord replied. "What were you about to say?"
"Hunh? Oh. Do they always celebrate birthdays in the great hall?" the former servant asked.
"Nope. Only twenty-first birthdays," Aya chirped up again. "Because that's the number of the two Solstices."
"They used to have Solstice parties at the Thirteenth House," Ken said leaning forward slightly to see her better since Ran wasn't answering his questions.
"We have them here too. I think they must at every House. They are how we mark our year, after all. And the Equinoxes. People born within a month of them are said to be gifted with the ability to influence the spirit, and the Solstices influence the world. The two of you coming together must be of great importance," she said adamantly.
"People are staring," Ran muttered darkly causing them both to realize they'd been leaning into him.
Ken glanced around and found the majority of eyes in the room trained on him. He could feel himself blush. He ducked his head and resumed eating.
"And this hall contains the school rooms," Ran stated as they rounded yet another corner.
He glanced briefly at Ken who nodded in response. They'd seen almost a quarter of the House, but the tour was going much slower than anticipated. Much to Ran's chagrin all seven of the royal children and Omi had opted to come with them.
Prince Keiji, Princess Chiyo, and Aya weren't too bad, naturally forming their own little group to the rear of the party. Quietly discussing whatever it was those three found to discuss.
And Omi and Yohji seemed to keep themselves entertained. Watching everyone and occasionally commenting.
Even Prince Michio and Princess Hanako followed along quietly. But Princess Kishi and Prince Jomei were turning out to be a handful. They were loud and hyper and orbiting Ken like little moons. Full of comments and questions and demands. And none of their elder siblings seemed in the least bit interested in corralling them.
Ran scowled.
Even more irritating was Ken didn't seem to mind. He patiently divided his attention between them and the sights and sounds of the halls they passed along. His enthusiasm hadn't left him, but Ran could see he was beginning to tire. They would have to stop and try again another time. Hopefully alone.
"All right," Ran stated loudly, "the tour is over."
Everyone stopped and blinked at him.
"What?" Princess Kishi cried, her curly locks bouncing as they came to a halt.
"Why!" Prince Jomei demanded, pouting fiercely.
"Because Ken is tiring," Ran answered firmly.
"Awww," the two youngest royals whined, each latching onto one of the former servant's arms.
"Besides," Ran added checking his pocket watch, "its well after the hour you should be in class. You as well, Hanako."
"Yes," the young woman with looped braids nodded.
"Awww! No way!" Princess Kishi cried again.
"Do we have to?" Prince Jomei whined.
"Yes, I'm afraid so," Princess Chiyo answered from behind them. "Ran is correct. Go along now."
"Come on," Prince Michio said stepping forward. "I'll give you a ride."
"A ride! A ride! A ride!" the two youngest clapped, gleefully releasing Ken and dashing to their older brother who scooped them both up and settled one on each of his shoulders. He smirked and winked at Ken's look of astonishment before turning and marching off with his other younger sister following close behind.
"Wow. He's strong," Ken stated staring after them.
"You don't know the half of it," Yohji snorted.
"Indeed. He was aptly named," Keiji said with a small smile. "Man with the strength of three thousand," he explained.
"And what an effect you've had on Jomei," Princess Chiyo commented. "He has always been so quiet and shy."
"With everyone except the immediate family," Aya added.
"I've never seen him so animated outside of our rooms," Yohji nodded.
"I'm not sure I'd consider this an improvement," Ran muttered.
Everyone laughed but Ken. He yawned.
"Come on," Ran said motioning for them to head back the way they'd come. "Let's get you back to our rooms."
Ken pouted but didn't have the energy to argue. Nodding, he obediently began following Ran back along the hallway and wondered whether he'd ever learn his way around the enormous House. Or if he'd ever truly feel at home there, as if he belonged. But glancing up at the red-head just ahead of him he supposed it really didn't matter. As long as Ran was with him he'd be fine.
Behind the two their remaining companions exchanged smiles and followed.
Author's Note: Well, Ken's starting to settle into the First House. What'd ya think of all that Kase stuff? Am I confusing people or are ya still with me? Well, hang on there's definitely more to come! Next time the start of Part Four, the last Part of the story! Thanks for reading and please review!
Shikigami-kun: Yep, his twin died. If this chapter didn't answer any of your other questions then the next one will. Tris knew about Ken survival because Tris is dead, and the dead know all...I just confused you again, didn't I? Never mind, you'll see. And I had a wonderful time! I hope your vacation is just as great if not better! Thanks for reading:)
RosefaerietaleRed: Wow, nobody guessed that Kase was his twin. I guess I thought it was obvious, but after working on this for a year I guess I've lost perspective. Yeah, I definitely needed a break. I hope you have a good vacation too, even better! A lot of people are having their's in May...Hmmm. Thanks for reading:)
Snowgirl that melts only in honey: I know what you mean. I left Weiss ff for a week and when I came back most of the stories I've been reading had updated! I had a lovely night of reading fanfiction! Weee! Perfect way to end a vacation! Thanks for reading:)
Precognition74: What's nvm? I hate to admit this, but I have the hardest time unraveling all these little abbreviations. I just now figured out what "ttyl" means. I know, I'm slow. And did you mean did I name Kase, Kase? Nope, he's from the series. Thanks for reading:)
RuByMoOn17: Ha-ha-ha-ha! No. Hee-hee-hee. No, I'm not going to make another character pop out and fall for Ran! Silly! Hang on, there's only three more chapters! ;P Thanks for reading:)
Seph Lorraine: Ha-ha-ha! Your reaction was priceless! Priceless! I thought for some reason that you of all people would've figured it out! Hee-hee-hee! You will find out. The discussion in this chapter is only the beginning. Things will start to come out now, so hold on, okay? And there will still be some cute moments for our two heroes (one's another bath scene!) ;P Thanks for reading:)
Akimoto Kin: I'm glad you liked the dream sequence. That was a bugger to write. I had to rewrite it five times and then I ended up scrapping most of it. Heh-heh-heh. Yep, Kase is Ken's twin, and Keiji is thinking along the same lines you are. Does Kase EVER mean good news for Ken? Thanks, I had a great time. I relaxed, but its hard to rest with three kinds and a baby around. My sister's kids and they're great, but not very restful. Thanks for reading:)
Jo-9tails: Oh, I'm sorry I cut his hair. But my ideal Ran is in Weiss Side B, so I needed him to cut his braid. Also, I didn't know quite what to do with it. I kept forgetting it was there. Chapter 15? Hey! You're a whole chapter behind! Yes, Ken has a twin and I killed the baby...but its actually much worse than you think. Mwa-ha-ha! Thanks for reading:)
Fieryicicles: Gentle embraces, sweet kisses, words of love...hmmm? I say look to the sequel, but actually so far there aren't any in it either. I really am evil. :D Anyway, I'm glad you liked the chapter! Thanks for reading:)
Cat in the Web: Oh, I'm glad you liked that. That dream sequence was a killer. I rewrote it about five times, and I ended up cutting most of it out. It used to be a lot longer, but I felt like it was too sappy and that Tris was doing Ran's work for him. The reasons are being revealed a bit at a time, but in the next chapter there's quite a bit of info for you. Thanks for reading:)
Krysana: Heh-heh-heh! Ran should hurry up! That's too funny! "These things must be handled delicately." They are cute, and I agree that Ken is really hard to resist. Eventually Ran will realize his heart...but will he act on it? O.O Well, there will be more moments of Ran/Ken cuteness, so never fear. Thanks for reading:)
Chubby-King-Chocobo: Yeah, the plot's thickening alright! I'm glad you like it! And he is cute and pouty. Thanks for reading:)
Rapunzel4: Yep, Kase is his twin. Apparently nobody else saw it coming either. I actually thought it was so obvious, but I've know since almost the beginning. Thanks, I did have a lot of fun. And here's your break from finals! I hope you enjoyed it! Hey, um...what're ya doin' with my muse anyway? Care to spill? Thanks for reading:)
Sansele: Hi! Heh-heh-heh! Yep, he plays an important role alright, but I can't answer you question without ruining the next three chapters. Thanks, I'm glad you think they're cute! I like to stretch out their bonding, but I enjoy them together no matter how they get there! They're my favorite! Oh, thank you very much! I try. Thanks for reading:)
Nikki: Oh, thank you! I wasn't sure it would be such a mystery. I am really surprised by how many people didn't see it coming. Although my husband did read it and go, "Oh my God!" And then he totally figured out the whole plot in one shot. He's good. Lots more development in the sequel! Promise! I'm working on it now in fact. Thanks, I took a break from writing too. It was good, and no Ran/Ken either. I got internet withdrawl. O.O Thanks for reading:)
Mistskeeper: Hi! You reviewed me! Thanks! Oh, I'm so glad you like it. Hey, I like your story! Although...it did get a little gruesome in that last chapter. O.O I almost made you cry? Wow. I almost made me cry too, but I'm easy. I cry at commercials. Umm...no Schu, sorry. He will be in my next installment of my 18th Century stories though, but I haven't started writing that yet. I think Farf maybe in the sequel to this, but I'm still deciding. I've never written Schwartz but Elvengoddess has been giving me good advice, so I hope I do okay with it. Oh! But who can resist kitty eyes! Ooooohhhhh! Kitty, kitty, kitty! Watch out. I LOVE kitties. Thanks for reading:D
