Disclaimer: Blah, blah, fish sticks. Err, I mean, standard disclaimers apply.
Warnings: Oh dear, the dreaded meeting with the parent! Waaah! I'm really having trouble with the issue of homosexuality in the period of the Crusades! As far as I'm concerned, in an era where the fight for the Holy Land was rampant among the people, homosexuality is taboo. It may not be unheard of, but I'm sure that it will be severely frowned upon. In this fic, I am going to tone down the reactions of people in the homophobic era since I don't want our bishies to be subjected to religious stigma and all that crap (besides, it'll be a lot more work for me if I develop that particular plot), so forgive the totally inept scenario.
I have already succeeded in one of my goals in life! I have downloaded the manga "Boys Next Door" and it's so freakishly angsty and disturbing! I love it! Does anyone know the manga "Midare Somenishi?" (Anxiety of Soul) It's a samurai manga done by the mangaka of "Kizuna," Kazuma Kodoka. It's smutty as hell, but a very nice story. Whee!
Scarlet Moon
By Ninetails
I've seen nights of craziness
And I have seen nights that last
I've seen passionate lips
And the overflow of the senses
But I've never seen someone like you
But I've never seen someone like you
part of the song "Alguien Como Tu" by Enrique Iglesias. (I had nothing to do in our 14-hour bus ride so I translated my favorite Spanish song. Thank God for Spanish-English dictionaries. Conjugations are from my memory so I apologize if I took some liberties in the translations. And since FF decided to ban song lyrics in fics, I decided to not put the original lyrics here. Translations are by me so I wrote it and its mine.)
Chapter 8
The morning came, and with it no answers, no magical enlightenment, only more questions than Ken cared to face. He dressed slowly, reluctantly. He could feel his father's eyes upon him, as though he sensed something was wrong. His father didn't ask though, and he didn't offer to explain.
At last he heard a wagon pull up outside. "He's here," he said, a little more breathlessly than he had intended.
"Sounds like it," his father answered.
"Where's Kase gone to?" he asked, more out of the need to say something than actual curiosity.
"Your grandmother's, I suspect."
Ken nodded. Kase had spent more time there of late than he himself had. He hoped that the two of them were getting a chance to know each other, since his cousin had missed out on that in his childhood.
He took a deep breath and, with his father, left the house. Outside Ran waited, his face pale and drawn. It looks like he didn't sleep much either.
He had a sudden mental image of Ran lying in his bed, and he pushed it from his mind, trying hard to control the blush he was sure was on his cheeks already.
"Father agreed to come with me today to help out," he said, avoiding Ran's piercing gaze.
Ran suppressed the surprise from his features. "You are most welcome, sir," he said, inclining his head to Reiji.
"The honor is mine," his father said, bowing.
They climbed aboard the wagon, Ken sitting between the two of them. The seat was narrow, so they all had to sit close. His father's knee was touching his on one side, and Ran's knee was touching his on the other.
Well, this is more awkward than I could have imagined, he thought as the silence stretched around them.
At last they reached the castle, and Ken was all too happy to touch solid ground and move a little way apart from the other two. Lan was waiting for them and hailed his arrival with a shout and a smile.
"Hello, Lan," he called warmly.
"And how are you this fine morning?"
"Never better," he answered.
"Who have you brought with you?"
"This is my father, Reiji. Father, this is Lan. He's in charge of all the horses."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," his father said, his face breaking into a grin as he shook hands with Lan.
"Likewise. You've raised quite a fine young man here."
"Thank you," Reiji answered. "Though I can't take all the credit; he's got a strong will of his own."
"So I noticed."
"If you to are quite finished, I believe we have some horses to see to," Ken interrupted, cursing himself for blushing once again.
His father beamed at him, and he could see the love and pride in his eyes. It hadn't been easy for him all these years, and it was good to know how he felt. Ken felt a warm glow inside as he set off between the two older men.
Ran watched Ken as he walked off with his father and Lan. He was completely in his element talking with them. He turned with a heavy heart and walked inside.
He hadn't slept for thinking of Ken, wondering and worrying about what he should do. Since I've met him, I have had no peace. No amount of meditation or practicing my forms can calm my mind. No amount of logic can calm my heart. I feel my blood run hot within me, and I feel the call of the wolf though the moon dwindles in the night sky.
I feel as though I am losing all that I have struggled so hard to gain – my control, my reason. In the end, is he worth it, or will the cost in lives and blood be too much?
No, he was certain that Ken was altogether worth it, even worth the blood of a hundred others. The question was, did he have the right to make that choice? The blood would be on his head alone. Did he have the right to condemn others so that he could live and love?
He didn't think so, but when he was near him, he knew that he would not be able to make the choice to turn away. The wise path would move me away from him, away from he who holds sway over my heart and slays my logic with a single glance, reduces me to the level of the beasts with a single kiss.
Two children ran in front of him, and a third, chasing them, bumped into him. He gave the boy a seething glare and sent him scurrying away in tears. He stood for a moment, ashamed of himself. Still, something inside him whispered, You are the lord of the castle, and he lives by your leave alone. You can terrorize him if you wish; you can kill if it is your will.
He winced in anguish, struggling against all that was dark in himself. This is exactly why it is dangerous to have Ken around. Without him I have more control, I am less dangerous.
Without him, though, I am miserable, lost, and alone. He paced the cold castle and bemoaned his fate.
With the help of his father and Lan, and brief interventions from Yuriko, Ken finished by nightfall. Many of the horses were seldom used, and their shoes were still in good repair. No sooner would he finish checking one horse than another would be brought to him, so the work had proceeded quickly. He had pulled off dozens of shoes, filed down the hooves, and nailed on new shoes. All of that had left no time for thoughts of Ran, for which he was grateful. Still, at its completion, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He was slightly disappointed but not surprised when Lan entered the castle and returned with a bag of gold and the announcement that he would take them home. With a last wave from a grinning Yuriko, they set off to the wagon.
On the way the three of them chatted amicably, though Ken's mind was elsewhere. When at last he made it home, he tumbled onto his bed, fully clothed. Exhausted from his labors, he fell asleep.
He awoke late, and dressed in a clean shirt and trousers. After a moment's hesitation, he donned the red cloak. Upon putting it around his shoulders, he felt an unexplainable warmth comfort him. His father was off already and he didn't see any sign of Kase. After packing some food supplies in a basket, he set out for his grandmother's house. It was only once he set foot into the woods that he realized he didn't have his dagger. Horrified, he froze. What happened to it? Then he remembered letting it fall to the floor of the wagon. He closed his eyes and groaned. He would have to see Ran to get it back.
He opened his eyes and forced himself to start walking. As he strode farther into the forest he began to relax, remembering that for a few weeks, at least, he had nothing to fear.
The trees whispered above him, but they didn't seem to have anything of importance to say. He listened to them and to the few birds that had decided to stay and face the winter's wrath. There was a bite to the air that had not been there the week before.
It feels like snow. Before long winter will be here in full force, he realized. A squirrel ran across the path, his cheeks bulging with nuts for his collection. Soon the furry creature would seek out the warmth of his den and spend the winter feasting on the fruit of his labors.
He smiled to himself and took the extra time to really look around the forest at the creatures surrounding him. In the past he had always raced through at such a pace that he had rarely noticed the comings and goings of the other creatures.
A branch cracked in the distance., and he turned just in time to see a deer slipping out of sight. He stopped for a moment to marvel before moving on again. By the time he reached his grandmother's house, he had seen more wonders in the woods than he had ever allowed himself the leisure to see before.
He was smiling as he walked into his grandmother's house. Manx looked up and eyed him shrewdly, though.
"What's wrong?" she asked bluntly.
Ken's eyes fell upon Kase, occupying a chair near the fire. "Nothing is wrong, Grandmother," he said in a weak voice. "I just took my time this morning."
"It isn't that which I'm talking about," the red-haired woman huffed. "But we can discuss it later."
Several hours later, Ken took his leave, without having had a chance to discuss Ran with his grandmother. He and Manx had spent the time talking with Kase about some of the plants that Ken already knew about. Kase was till trying to learn all that Ken had in the years he had been studying. When he left, Kase accompanied him.
Just as they were about to leave the clearing, Ouka and Masafumi entered it from the other side. They looked startled at the sight of Kase, but after a moment they nodded their heads shyly.
"Who were they?" Kase asked once they were out of earshot.
"Ouka and Masafumi – friends of Grandmother's."
"Do they study with her as well?" he asked, his tone somewhat sharp.
"You'd have to ask them that," he said cautiously as he looked at Kase.
He didn't look any better. If anything, he looked worse. His hair had grown even longer and was unkempt. His eyes seemed slightly larger, like he was constantly staring at something. His nostrils flared wide, taking in great draughts of air even though he and Ken were walking slowly.
"How are your studies going?" he asked hesitantly.
"They are not progressing as quickly as I had hoped," he admitted, his voice hard.
"Give it time. The first thing I learned from Grandmother was patience."
"Patience. That is one thing I need no more of," he said, a hint of anger in his voice.
"I didn't mean anything, Kase," he hastened to assure him.
"I know," he said with a sigh.
They walked a little way before he asked, "What all has Grandmother taught you?"
"She's taught me a lot about most of the healing plants that grow in the woods. I've learned how to make poultices to help with swelling, stop bleeding, and reduce pain, which I find quite handy in the shop. I've also learned how the stars are different in the winter and summer. I've been helping her map them."
"That's it?" he asked, sounding disappointed.
"I don't have as much time to study as I would like," Ken admitted. "Still, I've learned multiple treatments for all of those injuries, and how to tell if the plants are mature. I like the medicine part, but I found the stars really fascinating."
He fell silent, remembering the night he had lain out, safe behind his father's house, looking at the stars. How many of them were full moons? How many of those nights was Ran wandering the woods?
He had to stop thinking about Ran. He returned to the conversation. "What is it you want to learn?" he asked, cocking his head to the side in curiosity.
"I would like to learn what causes sickness and how to cure it," he answered readily.
"Well, she can certainly teach you that."
"I hope so," he answered.
When they reached the village, Kase veered off toward the house, but Ken kept walking. He passed the shop without glancing at it.
"Hello, Ken," the miller greeted as he passed.
"Hello," he responded without looking. His thoughts were elsewhere, racing ahead of him to the castle. He wasn't sure what he planned to say to Ran when he saw him. He did know one thing: he wasn't leaving until he got his knife back.
It was a long walk, and he was worn out by the time he reached the castle. As he walked into the forecourt he felt a sudden twinge of misgiving. It had been a folly to come here and approach him on his own ground.
Although, this is all actually his ground, he thought. He owns it all – the land, the village, even the forest. Suddenly, he felt very, very small.
"Lord Ken!" Yuriko walked up to him, leading a white mare. Upon nearing him, she gave a slight curtsy and a saucy grin.
"I'm no lord, Yuriko," he laughed nervously, trying to avoid her piercing stare.
"Not the rumor I hear," she said with a wink.
He flushed. "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."
"I imagine you're here to see Lord Ran."
"Wh-what makes you say that?"
"Well, you came to speak to either him or me, and I figured he was more likely."
Ken gave her a lopsided grin. "As much as I'd like to say I came to speak to you, you're correct. I am here to see Lord Ran."
"Then let's go find him."
Yuriko led him into the castle and through a maze of rooms on the ground floor where they found Omi brooding near what he guessed to be the infirmary. As they approached the smaller boy, he looked up to give them a wide smile, his blue eyes once again containing a spark of life.
"Good afternoon, Ken! It sure is good to see you here again. Off to find my cousin, aren't you?" the cheerful boy asked as he gave the taller man a slight hug.
Returning the hug in kind, Ken felt his crimson face heat up once more as both Omi and Yuriko burst into hearty giggles. He frowned, surprised to feel something on his waist, and looked down to find a sheathed dagger on Omi's waist. He gasped. For a moment, he thought it was his brother's dagger – the hilt was made of the same material and the design was the same, but upon closer inspection, he found to his relief that it was too fancy and bejeweled to be his.
He resigned himself to suffer through the torture that is the teasing of two very animated people and hoped overheating wouldn't kill him.
Taking pity on his disturbingly scarlet face, Omi turned to Yuriko and asked, "Have you seen the Master Healer anywhere? I have some things to discuss with him concerning our other guest."
Ken sighed in relief as their attention shifted from him to the topic at hand. His gaze roamed to the spacious room, eyeing expensive paintings and priceless relics. It was only a corridor, but upon regular intervals were elaborate tapestries depicting hunting scenes and fancy lamps illuminating the chamber. He felt like the most insignificant wretch in the whole land.
"All right then, see you around Yuriko! It was nice talking to you Ken! I hope to see you at dinner." And with a last hearty wave, Omi was off to the grand staircase.
Ken gave the departing figure a wan smile and turned back to Yuriko who instantly ushered him on until they found Ran. He sat perched behind a large table with parchments spread out before him. His head was bent and he was clearly engrossed in what he was reading.
"Milord, you have a visitor," Yuriko said with a deep curtsy.
Without looking up, Ran waved. "Show them in."
"Very well, milord," Yuriko said, smiling at Ken on her way out. She gently closed the door behind him after giving Ken a playful wink.
He walked forward hesitantly, eyes fixed on the top of Ran's head. His mouth was dry, and everything he had rehearsed on his way fled from his memory.
"Milord," he said in a raspy voice that did not sound like his own.
"Yes?" he asked icily, dipping a pen in ink and scratching something on a paper before him.
"I want my dagger back."
"Who – " he started to ask, looking up. He stopped "Ken!"
"Yes."
He got up from his seat hastily and came around the table. "You look – wait, what did you say?"
"I want my dagger back," he said, forcing himself to smile.
"Oh," Ran said with a disappointed glint in his eyes, which he hastily tried to cover. "I thought you came here to see me," he said, trying not to smirk at the sudden reddening of the other's cheeks.
"I did. I came here to see you and ask for my dagger back."
Something flashed in his violet eyes; whether it was amusement or anger, Ken couldn't tell. In a moment he pulled himself up to his full height, and suddenly he knew he was looking at Lord Ran and not at his friend Ran.
He strode forward, pulling the dagger from his belt. "You are looking for this." He handed it to the shorter man, hilt first.
Ken pulled at it, but Ran didn't let go.
"I haven't been able to stop thinking about you," he said softly, his voice sending shivers up Ken's spine.
"Really, I haven't been able to tell," he answered truthfully.
"We are all wrong for each other."
"I agree," he said, heat washing through him.
"Since that day we met in your shop, I haven't been able to think rationally. I haven't been able to order my emotions so that I could control the wolf. You have turned my life so upside down that I no longer have control over what I do in that state."
"You are blaming me for your killing the tanner?" he sputtered, feeling his temper rise.
"Indirectly, yes. If you hadn't so distracted me, I would have been able to control myself."
"So it's my fault that you can't control yourself?"
"It is," he answered in a cold voice, amethyst eyes flashing.
Ken pulled on his knife, but he held firm.
"Maybe you should be looking no further than your own black heart if you're looking to cast blame."
"This is exactly the reason why I need to stay as far away from you as possible. I can't think straight around you."
He let go of the dagger, and Ken angrily stuffed it under his belt. "All you are is a danger to yourself and to me," he hissed, taking several steps backward.
"And when I am near you, all I feel is passion – no logic, no reason, just overwhelming emotion," he spat.
Ken glared at him as he stepped closer. "We should never see each other again," Ran said, his frosty tones sending stabs of hurt into Ken's heart.
"That is fine with me," he said, stepping back again until his back hit the wall.
He stared deep into his amethyst eyes, and suddenly he saw something, a change in them. Ran's voice was little more than a growl. "Unfortunately that doesn't work for me."
Then his hands were on his waist and his lips were hot on his. Ken moaned as he wrapped his arms around the taller man's neck and gave in to his embrace. He was pinned between Ran and the wall with nowhere to go even if he had wanted to. But I don't want to go anywhere. I want to stay here with him, be a part of him. His tongue blazed a fiery path into his mouth until it entangled with his, drawing him deeper into his embrace.
Ran gently bit his lip, tugging on it slightly with his teeth, and he closed his eyes. "It's no use," he said, pulling away ever so slightly. "I tried to forget you, but I can't, not now, not ever. I need you, I don't care what the consequences, no matter what they say. Just knowing you, loving you, makes me crazy. If that is my fate, I'd rather go mad with you by my side."
He kissed his cheek and then trailed kisses down his throat. Ken couldn't stop the groan from escaping, and Ran gave him a feral grin.
"We are only going to destroy each other," Ken whispered. "I should leave now and never return."
"It's too late for that," Ran said, gazing at him fiercely.
"Why?"
"You love me, don't you?"
"Yes," he whispered. "God forgive me, I do."
"Then I shall never let you go, for I love you."
"I could run."
"I would catch you," Ran growled against his lips.
"I could kill you."
"Only your absence could do that."
"You can't make me stay with you."
"I will if you marry me."
Ken gaped at him for a long moment. "Ran! We couldn't – the Doctrine – how…"
Ran smiled at his spluttering form. "No matter what, I will not lose you."
Ken calmed at his words. Then blushed. White-hot flame exploded throughout his being. "I have no choice but to stay with you, do I?"
"None."
He smiled slowly. "Then kiss me again."
Ran took him home. Together, they rode his stallion. Ken sat behind him, his arms wrapped around his waist, and he savored the feeling of the wind in his hair. He felt too much like a girl in this position, but the comfort of Ran's body too near his made him forget the frivolous thought.
Despite all his work with horses, it was his first time on one, and given the way things seemed to be going, it would not be his last.
Night had fallen, and he gazed up at the moon. It was so beautiful, pale and pristine. He let its light shine upon his face, and he thanked the moon for bringing them together, for without it, they might have always been strangers.
Outside his home Ran dismounted, and he fell from the horse's back into his arms, laughing. Ran set him down on his feet. "Are you ready?" he asked Ken as he caressed his upper arms.
"No, but that's never going to change."
Ran nodded and gave him a small smile that warmed him to his very core. "Together, anything is possible."
Ken took a deep breath and walked inside. Both his father and Kase looked up from the table where they were finishing supper.
"Ken, who do you have with you?" Reiji asked, squinting to see behind him.
"It's Lord Ran," Ken said, his voice catching only slightly.
He felt Ran move in behind him, closing the door after him. "Hello again," he said, his tone surprisingly light and conversational.
Reiji and Kase instantly stood and bowed. "Milord, welcome to our home," Reiji said, quickly overcoming his surprise.
Kase, on the other hand, said nothing., but Ken noticed that he was glaring at Ran. "This is my cousin, Kase," he said, hastening to introduce them.
"Good to meet Ken's cousin," Ran said politely, but with a hint of iciness in his voice.
Kase only nodded in return, and Ken was embarrassed. Why is he acting so strange?
"Good sir," Ran said, addressing his father. "I have come to you to discuss your son."
"Do you have another job for him?" Reiji asked.
Ran smiled. "I do indeed, and it is far more important than the last."
"We will be honored to help in whatever way we can," Reiji hastened to assure him.
"It gladdens me to hear you say so. The truth of the matter is, I have come to ask your permission to let Ken live with me at the castle. Permanently."
Reiji's face registered shock, and he turned to Ruth, seeking and explanation. Suddenly his face broke into a smile. "Ah! Yuriko – she wishes for Ken to stay…"
"No, it is not for Yuriko that I am here," Ran spoke up immediately.
"It is for himself," Kase spoke up suddenly.
"Your cousin is very astute. It is for myself that I am seeking this. I wish to live with Ken as my lover."
Reiji's face went completely white. Ken stepped forward and took his hand. His father turned to look at him, mute.
"It is true, Father. Ran and I are in love, and I wish to be with him."
"What have you done to him? What would the villagers think when they hear of this?" Kase hissed.
Ran turned on him, nostrils flaring. "I am the lord of this land. I may do as I please. Even the Church would not condemn love."
The two locked eyes, and the hair on the back of Ken's neck stood on end. He heard a slow growling begin to fill the room, and what scared him most was that he wasn't sure which one of them it was coming from.
"Enough!" Reiji said, and both men snapped their eyes back to him. "This is a very unprecedented event, and I still am not sure what to think of it. What I am sure of, though, is that I approve wholeheartedly. I would be honored to have you join my family, whether or not it be through marriage."
Ran smiled and stepped forward. "It will be my honor to call you father, and I will find a way for your son and I to be bonded in some way."
The two embraced, and Ken's joy was complete. His father approved. That was all that mattered. The villagers may speak, the priests may condemn. As long as they were together, nothing could go wrong. He turned to glance at Kase, though, and was instantly chilled to the bone. He was glaring at the two men, his eyes wide and practically shining in the darkness. He shivered and wrapped his arms tight about himself, striving to keep out the chill.
News of their unconventional engagement having finally been made public, Ken felt like shriveling up into nothingness, too embarrassed by the attention lavished to him by the villagers. Some of them were appalled by the news, a few more were plainly disgusted, but most of them saw the happiness brimming in the two men's eyes – and accepted.
Ken felt like bursting into song as he stood hammering out a new sword, a sort-of house-warming gift for Ran. They were scheduled to transfer his things in two weeks' time, and for him to actually go to the palace and have the bonding ceremony in four and a half.
His grandmother had been delighted for him, although not surprised. She had hinted that there were things about Ran that Ken should know. Ken had replied that he knew all of Ran that he needed to. His grandmother seemed suspicious, but Ken dared not to reveal his newfound secret about Ran's family, at least not yet.
As the news had spread, the villagers had begun to treat him differently. At first he had found it unnerving and tried to make them stop, but he had finally grown to accept it. Some of the men deigned not to disguise their aversion to their relationship, but they were quickly hushed by the others who gave Ken a kind smile. There were even whispers that his grandmother might be able to return to the village. Everyone was eager to embrace the boy who would be bonded to the earl, even if it meant overlooking their fear of his grandmother and their distaste instilled to them by the Church.
The one dark spot in his happiness was Kase. For the last three weeks, his cousin had haunted his steps, watching him like a hawk. Whenever Ran was close by, Kase would be extra alert and aggressive.
From his stool in the corner of the shop, Kase spoke. "I think Grandmother is holding things back from me."
"What do you mean"? Ken asked cautiously.
"I think she knows more than she is willing to tell."
Ken sighed, not liking the direction this seemed to be heading. "Maybe she doesn't think you're ready to learn them yet."
"Not ready? Not ready? I spent nine years in hell itself, and she thinks I'm not ready?"
Ken put his hammer down and resolutely turned to face him. "Kase, what is it that you want?"
"I want to return and avenge Youji!" he practically shouted. "And myself," he added too softly that Ken could barely hear him.
He felt a twinge in his heart. "Kase, what are you saying? You can't go back there. I can't lose you, too!"
Kase gazed at him, and for a moment Ken saw in his eyes the boy who had gone off to war so long ago. "You already have, Ken," he whispered. "God help me, I might as well have died on that battlefield."
TBC…
Author's Notes:
Um, I think I made Ken a potential witch here, with all the talk of poultices and potions (snickers). Geez, the whole homosexuality stuff is a pain here. I'm trying to just let the people be as accepting as I can stretch them to be, and I'm REALLY sorry if I'm stretching things here WAY too far. In the timeline of the original plot, the lead characters are supposed to be getting ready to be married. Since I can't do that with this fic, I'm settling to bond them in a sort-of civil union that Ran would manage to coerce from whoever gives civil unions back then. Just go ahead and kill me.
Or not. I'm still suffering from my spelunking ordeal 3 days ago. We climbed ropes twice! It should be clear that we weren't pros; heck, we weren't even beginners, darn it! At least we had some fun amidst the monotony that is our seminar, and the place we stayed in reached the temp. of around 12 °C. When we went back, it was around 28 °C and now I have a cold. In the middle of summer. Oh joy.
Replies to Reviews (Chapter 8): Since I'm too lazy to type more words, I'll say here that everyone gets a free strawberry-topped cupcake.
Ru-chan Um, I hope Ran was able to satisfy you in this chapter (snickers). He really is such a sweetie, ne? Although I have this nagging feeling that I made him too… sappy? Augh! Oh well. Gomen for taking too long. I decided to rest for a while since I arrived only yesterday morning (4 a.m. to be exact) Thanks SO much for the review(s)! (huggles)
Chitoshiya no Tohma Ehehehe, you actually liked the sweet part? I understand you liking the, err, tasty part though (nosebleeds) Ne, ne, don't die yet! We still have to discuss the merits (and flaws) of the various yaoi mangas out there for the taking… if you possess money, that is (bawls). I think you're slowly seeping into my somewhat-conservative self! I really want Wataru and Kazuki (is that their names?) to be more intimate! Waaah! Nooo! Oh well. Thanks for the review! (Huggles CnT back)
Burned Vamp Um, is the "Only the Ring Finger Knows" you're pertaining to the manga? I have it too and I love it to shreds (figuratively!) and it's my fave angst manga ever! Of course, a lot more yaoi mangas are due to be released so I'm quite ecstatic 'bout that. I don't really order from the internet and since I don't live in America, I have to suffer buying at stores where they convert the manga price to our local currency plus shipping and taxes so one DMP/BeBeautiful manga accounts to almost Php 1000! Waaah! Gomen, just wanna let that out, ehehehe… Whee! You like "Out of the Sea?" Wow. I like it too but unfortunately, it's a bitch to write. My fave fic is "The Selkie" because it's a lot easier to write. I'm never attempting to write such a long multi-chapter again. (Gomen for boring you) Thanks for the review! (huggles)
RosefaerietaleRed Poor Kenken, indeed! I think you now know how Reiji (and Kase) reacted to their apparent engagement. Did I frustrate anyone with the near-misses in this fic? (snickers) I am SO sorry, I really don't know how to get Ken and Youji together! Still bugging my friends for ideas, ehehehe. Thanks for the review! (huggles)
Sachiko V I SO know what you mean! (shudders) I kinda toned the whole experience down for my beloved Kenken and I'm so sorry if it still came out somewhat cruel. Confession? Struggle? Who's struggling? Both of them had epiphanies! Really. Watch me drown in a puddle of sarcasm, ehehehe… Aww, I am SO sorry if I'm taking too long with the reunion thing. I still don't know how to go about it. See? I really AM running out of ideas! Whee! "Ring Finger" is one of the best yaoi manga I've ever read! "Desire" had beautiful angst and characters but it was too… gloomy. Ehehehe, I actually signed the petition 3 times (I have 3 e-mail accounts) and I hope that helped. It has a drama CD! Whaaa! I gotta have it! They should make an OAV or a series too! Oooh, analyzations of the Weiss and "Ring Finger" characs, ne? Nice! Wah, I actually bought volumes 1 and 2 of Passion! It wasn't good. Oh well, at least there was angst. Thanks for the review! (huggles)
orangejuicehugger Ehehehe, I already have the manga of "Only the Ring Finger Knows" and I am now rooting to have the (graphic?) novel. I'm not from America, though, so I only have minimal supply of yaoi manga. (bawls) "Ring Finger" is such a beautiful manga! I like the drawings in "Desire" more but "Ring Finger" has such cute people. I especially liked Wataru's clothing style. (drools) 'Nyways, thanks for the tip! (n.n) (huggles)
Heather R Whee! Yeah, I saw your name somewhere in the list. I was a bit surprised 'cause the last time I signed up, there were only about 2000, and now, well, there are a lot more! Whee! They have to get that novel out now! Wait… there are more "Ring Finger" novels! Nooooo! I won't have enough money to buy all of them 'till I'm about 30 or so! Waaah! Why do these things have to be so darned costly? The frustrating thing about the OtRFK manga was that there were many scenes that were cut. Like when Kazuki helped Wataru get the books (or something) from the shelves and Wataru was fretting on how to carry them and Kazuki offered to help him and then…? Ne? We gotta have the novel! I just found out that Gravitation has a novel too (I actually saw it last year but I was too interested with the other mangas in the store to give it much thought) and I feel like spiralling down into despair. So many manga/novels and so little money. Ehehehe, gomen for taking too long! I was resting yesterday (I had no choice; once I hit my bed, I was snoozing 'till dinner-time) and I still feel a bit woozy. Oh well. Hope you enjoyed this chappie. Thanks for the review! … Chappie 7 was sad? Whee! (huggles)
Brokn Innocence FF is starting to irritate me. What's up with the "no song lyrics" rule? Augh! Oh well. If I ever get booted out of FF, gomen for not being able to finish this fic. Too much happens in this new chapter, and I'm wearing the floor with my pacing, wondering if anyone out there is about to flame me. Oh well. Still dunno what to do with Youji, and even Omi for that matter. Maybe I should just ship them off somewhere to get Youji healed. Or maybe that's too much work. (groans) I am such a lazy git. Kenken won't be devastated yet 'coz he still hasn't discovered that his beloved brother doesn't remember him. Poor Omi though, I dunno why, just, poor Omi. (tries to hide from utter shame) Ok, since everyone can now see what a boring/exhausting seminar can do to me, please forgive my stupidity. … I should be eating too. Ehehehe, I don't feel like it though. I hope you still don't mind the OOCness 'coz practically all my fics are/were written at the top of my head. I seldom use notes/outlines and I conjure the plot in my head. Whatever comes to mind, I type. Editing comes waaay after that. I think I bored you to death. Gomen. Thanks for the review! (huggles)
