Author's notes: okay, things that need to be cleared up: as in my other fic.. err, what was the title again? oh, 'after a while', Hatanaka Shuuichi is older than Minamino Shuuichi, and so are the rest of the gang. This is different from the other fic, so don't go mixing up certain.. information. What else? Oh, and Shiori will seem like a distant mother, instead of the loving one portrayed in the manga/anime. Hmm.. lastly, putting in a new character, who'll help develop the plot.
(Oh, don't worry about the other story, this is just a weird idea that popped into the author's head).
That's all, enjoy!
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Lubid
"rope"
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Surprise is like a thrilling -- pungent -- smell
Upon a tasteless meat
Alone -- too acrid -- but combined
An edible Delight.
-Emily Dickenson, Surprise-
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Chapter 1.
Surprises pop up at the most random of times. Duh, that's why they're called, "surprises". They definitely come to the most unsuspecting of victims, especially if the bombshell was this… unusual.
Enter the redhead with looks so effeminate, you'd wonder if the gods somehow made a mistake in placing a Y-chromosome in him, or if they were simply on their own divine version of crack, finding it hilarious to place a man's soul into a slightly female body (some certain parts differ). He passed through the door and called out with an almost shy, "Tadaima".
Even after four months of living in this new house – iie, mansion – he still felt awkward. Awkward enough to really not being able to call it 'home'. You can say that this was partly autism (Hah, but the one who suffered the greatest blow was Hiei since in this new structure, although Kurama still had his room in a second floor corner with a wide enough window for the fire demon's entrance, there was no tree immediately near the hole. The koorime practically cursed the house to hell twenty times and back. No, Hiei wasn't an environmentalist – it was just a place where he could watch, erm.. 'guard' his fragile… friend. Of course, the half-youko couldn't just suddenly make a tree grow, lest it would bring horror to the rest of the family. But a tiny sappling had already begun to develop).
There were a lot of adjustments to be made. Kurama suddenly found himself being coddled by an older brother, who was his namesake, and was slightly offed by the presence of new authority, in the form of his stepfather (remember that this is separate from the other fic). Also, whatever little affection Shiori showered on him was now lavished on two others (amplified on them, at that). Oh, how he hated them at the start. His feeling underwent those stages one usually gets after losing a loved one – denial, anger, resignation and acceptance, and finally, negotiation. There was nothing else he could do about it.
So far, the most shocking event that occurred in his life was when he just got home from a mission (with an excuse of coming from whatever training camp), and news that they were moving was announced.
Oh, after today, he'll merely laugh at the memory.
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So Kurama had arrived, closing the door quietly behind him. His soft call reverberated around the walls of the big space. He didn't expect anyone to be home at this hour. His mother was probably at one of her friends', having tea. His stepdad was at his supercompany, probably dictating the tasks to be done, or simply signing and poring over contracts at his desk. Shuuichi was at boarding school. Oh, wait, they had a butler now.
True enough, the 26-year old butler appeared and took the things from his 'young master's' hand, "Welcome home, Shuu-chan."
'Shuu-chan' still sounded awkward coming from the young butler. Since Reizo would always attach honorifics to Kazuya, Shiori and the older Shuuichi, it was automatic that he would do so with the redhead Shuuichi. However, the half-youko had protested so much and insisted on being called by his name. Apparently not having a choice, Reizo agreed after a while, but would sometimes slip.
Kurama smiled softly at the butler. He was, perhaps, the only affectionate person in the… family, who didn't end up being patronizing. He was young, yes. And undoubtably handsome with his chestnut-bordering-auburn hair, long lashed hazel eyes, smooth, tanned skin, and moist lips on a young face. He was lean, and about two inches taller than Hatanaka Shuuichi, four, than Minamino. Sometimes, the teenager part of Kurama would dream of being embraced in the strong arms of their helper. It was understandable, since he had lost his father when he was only four, and in his youko years, he had been alone. NO, it wasn't being 'in love', nor even just a crush – it was simply the lure of being held in by something wherein you would fit so well. Much like a sleepy person wanting to lay on a soft, warm bed.
Reizo broke through whatever thoughts formed in Kurama's head, "Your parents are… conversing at the arbor."
"Oh, they're home?" The Shuuichi side in him surfaced, missing the hesitation in the butler's voice, and he sped down to greet them. The enticing news-bearer attempted to call out, "Shuu-chan, I don't think – ", then sighed, deciding there was no stopping youth.
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The arbor was right smack in the middle of their exotic, yet not overly-done garden (sculpted by some other landscape expert). It was white, with tendrils embracing its pillars; a perfect resting place and protection from the sun. Not that there was an excess right now. For the moment, it housed two troubled adults, who seemed to be concentrating on the discussion.
The redhead arrived in a breath's time and caught snippets of the exchange, "Shiori, that's absurd!"
"It is, but.. there's nothing I can do about it. It's already been decided, and the contract, signed. It cannot be broken, or we'll face – "
"But this is - ? How do you think he'll react?"
"He's a good boy. Although this will take getting used to – "
Kurama stepped forward, "'kaasan? 'tousan?" The brewing argument stopped. After a few moments of silence, Kazuya threw his hands up in the air in resignation, "Do what you must."
Shiori breathed a sigh of relief, scooted to her right and gestured for her son to sit beside her. She began, "You see.."
The teenager's mind reeled with info. Bits of words like 'royalty', 'heir', 'kingdoms', and 'crown prince' fluttered abuot the air and hung there ominously. But what took him out of the dreamy state was, 'engaged'.
"I'm engaged?!"
His stepfather sighed at this, and adjusted his fashionable glasses, "Betrothed, more likely".
Kurama stood up ad clutched a vined pillar, taking in as much oxygen as he could. Yes, he may have been overreacting, but engaged? He had a fiance, when he hadn't yet fallen in love in this lifetime? Closing his eyes and expelling one, final huff, he turned to his mother. She definitely looked serious. Letting go, he inquired, "I.. To whom?"
Shiori felt a bit of relief. Her son seemed to be taking it well, "From a neighboring kingdom, who's part of our alliance, Kasumi."
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This is not yet the greatest surprise.
end!
erm.. this idea struck me when i remembered a lot of Shuuichi being forced to marry some certain character, blah.. and then blah.. you get the picture . but i don't really like stereotypes, so am putting a twist in it. hope you'll still be interested in the next chapter.
should i put a preview? one line?
here:
Preview for Chapter 2:
There are definitely days when things eventually turn bad. You wake up with this apprehensive rfeeling - although all is light, you just KNOW that something will happen. And this will not be to your favor.
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ok. . please review! comments are highly appreciated. and corrections on my grammar and weaknesses are simply the best. thanks for reading...
