Title:
Undesired Affections
Genre and Ratings: Drama/Romance-
Rated PG
Pairing: Youko & Keiki (main), Youko & Syouryuu,
Youko& Rakushun
Written by: Nickriz
Disclaimers: Juuni
Kokuki is authored by Ono Fuyumi.
Summary: A romantic diversion
takes place in Kimpa Palace between Youko and Keiki, while a turn of
events brings in a quadrangular love web. How can Youko retain the
delicate friendships and still pursue love?
Chapter 2
Garden of Blooms
"In innocence the white plum blooms,
Iridescent as precious jewels,
Resplendent in light of night or day,
Its beauty enchants without fail.
Sweet fragrance whispered in the wind,
As lovers watch in spellbound awe,
Of tender promises of love,
Too soon to end as the petals falls."
Hues of golden glow washed over the garden where a peaceful lake rests. Bathed in the mesmerizing glow, the lake in turn reflects an image of that glowing source. Willows swayed by the evening breeze danced in rhythm. Songbirds sang their chorus of melodies, as the day soon ends. As the warmth of the sun fades, the cool of darkness set in, soon carving shadows in the garden.
Drawn by the simple quietness of the hour, a man stood by the lake and admired the tranquil-ness of the moment. A forlorn look etched on his face, eyes seemingly searching afar for something in the distance. Yet nothing came. Only the scent of the late blossoming white plums drifted to comfort him. How he remembers the distinct scent of her. There, by a large rock on the lakeside, he sat and reminiscences his moments with her with eyes closed. For a long while he sat, not moving. Long ebony hair within the ponytail swayed to the flow of the winds.
A smile soon played on his lips, his eyelids fluttered open with a contented gaze within the sparkling honeyed orbs previously closed. From a short distance, another approached with scrolls in his hands that bore the insignia of the local provincial lords. He decided its time to return home before the chilly winds caught hold of him. Coming to a stand, he smoothed the crinkles in his robes, and turned to face the other as the servant approached. Together, both men walked quietly back from whence they came and disappeared into the shadows of the forest.
A wearisome day had its toll on all who has given orders for their charge. At last, the sun was setting and signaling rest for all. Even the beasts gave way to tiredness, and eagerly awaited their nourishment and meals. For all the day is worth, it was another peaceful day earned by everyone's efforts.
Still weighed down by the burdens of the people and the nation, a young empress strolled unknowingly into the imperial gardens. Swarmed by problems and feeling suffocated, she sat on a rock by the side of the waters, gently lowering her fingers to feel the cooling freshness of it. Though it seems childish, it soothed her senses and brought calm to her mind.
Even her trusted hanjyu friend, Rakushun, was beginning to worry about her state of being. Her restlessness and hesitation; the nervousness she showed whenever her "other half" was around; even avoiding looking or meeting him was beginning to arrest some attention. Although unnoticed generally, those who knew her more than just a scratch on the surface had an inkling of something wrong with her. As much as she would like to confide in Rakushun, Shoukei or Suzu, right now seems to be an inopportune time.
Looking into the waters of the lake within her palace garden, Youko sighed in defeat. Her reflection stared back at her and she continued to envision the recent happenings between the two of them for the past few days. The day when Keiki had come into her study chamber, and left after an embarrassing moment for both, had been the river source that trickled into a huge river of experiences for her. Just as he exited her presence, although whispered, she had heard it quite clearly. How she managed to hear it, she did not know.
Her heart warmed to the vision of him in her mind's eyes. Whenever he did not notice, she contemplated him with stolen glances. As alarmed as she is by her own behavior, she realized that she is growing in affection towards him. Youko frowned in disbelief, and smiled, asking herself, "How did this happen?…When had it started?". With no answers to that, she gave another sigh. The sun's descent is almost at its end, and the dusky skies painted a warm reflection of her image on the water's edge. Nearby, the scent of peonies perfumed the garden, and the subtle fragrance of white plums flowering in mid autumn added a soothing relief for Youko. Finally at ease, she leaned onto her left arm, and succumbed to basking in the last light of the day with eyes closed.
The shadow that lingered next to a balcony outside the study chamber looked worriedly at the woman below. Ceasing the frown on his porcelain face, he closed his eyes with a sigh. Not sure of what to do to ease the current invisible tension between him and her, he decided to go down to meet her. At least he had to try to initiate a conversation besides just stating the facts and figures of stately obligations and issues. Even if the chances are pointing to a possible increase of avoidance from her, she is still his master, and they have to talk about something somehow.
Keiki descended the stairs of the study chamber and proceeded slowly towards her silhouette by the lakeside. She had been still for a while already and he wondered if she was just relaxing. As he neared her, his nervousness set in again, giving him a difficult time to approach her. He continued walking quietly as if nothing affected him on the exterior, but soon it would seem like a storm on the inside. He stopped as he stood just behind her. It seems that she has not noticed him in her resting state.
Softly with tenderness, he addressed her. "Shuujou…". He waited for her to respond.
Not getting any response, Keiki decided to awaken her with a light touch to her shoulder.
"Shuujou, lets walk back to the palace halls. The cold winds are very strong today," Keiki spoke gently as he placed his hand to her shoulder, giving a light pressure to alert her of his presence.
Youko had fallen asleep while she enjoyed the evening sunset, and was jolted awake by a hand on her shoulder. Alarmed, by the sudden presence of another, she had forgotten that she was supporting her body with one arm on the rock she had sat on and rushed to stand but failed as the blood drained from her brain and caused her to shortly fall backwards in a collapse due to the minor blackout. She heard a voice behind her, calling her worriedly before she passed out for 5 minutes.
Unprepared for what followed after he had alarmed her, Keiki caught her in his arms when she collapsed back on him as she tried to stand up in her haste. Frantic with worry over her, fearing something had happened to her, Keiki kept calling her but in the end she fainted. Fearful that she had been attacked in her sleep, he checked her body for any form of injury but found none. As he feared for the worse, Youko started to stir within his arms as he held her protectively. Relieved that it was a false alarm, he finally focused on her again, and it soon dawned on him that he was intimately close to her in an embrace. Unable to hide his sudden realization, his face flushed a noticeable blush as Youko regains consciousness.
Keiki's heart raced as he watched her eyes flutter open in a confused gaze at her surroundings. Turning around to face him, she wondered what he was doing here at this time.
"Shuujou, are you alright? Are you feeling better?" Keiki quickly provided her with a clue to her current state of confusion. She tried to remember what had happened but she only felt certain warmth enveloping her and it felt good. It was getting chilly and she was glad to have that warmth especially after her sudden blackout. She has not noticed the warm blush that had spread all over Keiki, not just on his face.
"I'm fine I suppose, don't worry. ..I'm feeling better now."
"I'm relieved to hear that, Shuujou. Please be more careful, if need be, let me know so that I can accompany you. My utmost is your safety."
Keiki persuaded gently, trying not to let her know how affected he is by her presence. He felt as if he is loosing control of a spring that is waiting to burst open a well within him. The nervousness has doubled and his heart is pounding heavily in his chest. The cool winds blew past the couple and informed them of the arrival of night.
Youko smiled weakly at him and felt the butterflies in her stomach flutter, and her knees weak. It was not pretense but actual. For the first time she looked down in embarrassment, having to face him after a blackout, when she realized he was holding her in an embrace. How that happened she still had not yet remembered. But then realization caused her to flush a dark shade of pink. As she was dwelling on her embarrassment, the feeling of a warm hand stroking her upper arm caused her heart to race. She had hoped he would not notice.
The winds picked up pace, and soon the sun completely disappeared into the horizon and two silhouettes remained within the garden. Leaves rustled and some peony flowers fell, giving a sweet scent to an already emotional moment. The clear sky lifted its veil of clouds to reveal the stage of stars in the night sky with a glowing crescent moon high above the garden's edge.
Unbeknownst to the two, someone had been observing behind the pillars of the adjacent palace halls. He had wanted to look for her but couldn't find her in the study when he came. As he was about to leave he thought to look through the garden and with luck, he might just find her. Find her he did, but he stopped short of approaching any further just in case he interrupted the two. Silently he observed behind the scenes, wondering why he has not noticed before. Disappointment settled in as he reflected on how hesitant she had been, and the lack of openness she had towards him about what is going on.
Slowly, as he gazed at the pair, not knowing what transpired between the two, only arriving to find her falling into his arms and seeing them in an intimate embrace. The two remained in the same position for a long while before there was movement again. For a moment, he felt a tinge of jealousy in his heart and envied the man with her now. He is always seen with a healthy admiration for her, but few knew that due to her friendship, and their constant time spent confiding in each other made him felt something more than just being friends with her. These feelings might have started during their journey to bring her to En Koku from his home in Kou Koku, or perhaps later.
For now his lips are sealed as he turned away leaving the pair to their own private time. He decided that he would wait until later when Youko felt good enough to share with him what is going on. It would serve as an opportunity for him to be close to her again.
"Thank you,… Keiki .." Youko whispered, barely audible. She dare not say more for fear of revealing her nervousness. Hearing her thanks, Keiki could not feel more joy as he did now with the tension between them disappearing. Out of relief and happiness, he could not hold back his urge to embrace her. Letting go of all restrain, he gathered her abruptly into his arms tightly, closed his eyes and buried his face in the crook of her neck whispering softly.
"Please do not scare me like that anymore. I thought I had lost you to an enemy attack. Kei cannot lose you…neither.. can I."
Youko, shocked by the sudden embrace, stared wide-eyed at the side profile of his face buried in her shoulder as she heard his soft whispers. It took her sometime to let it sink in, and slowly she raised her hand and cupped his exposed cheek, gently stroking it to convey her response to his statement. A smile grace her lips as she lowered her head to his, and felt him stiffen at her response at first, but then relaxed immediately as he understood. The warmth she felt spread throughout her entire being as she remained in his embrace for a while longer.
Keiki was relishing in the comfort and satisfaction he found in this precious moment with her when he felt something brushed past his hand as he held her close. A scent filled his nostrils and he thought it was her scent, but soon more of the brushing on his hand told him other wise. He slowly opened his eyes and looked up into the sky. He had made a mistake.
The sweet scent was from the peony and white plum blossoms that flew pas them as they drifted from their lofty seats. The chill of the night had reminded Keiki that they are still out in the garden and its past sunset. He felt Youko stir as well and she too looked up and around. Turning back to her, he spoke.
"We should get back inside. The winds are getting colder and you might catch a cold! The others must be looking for you to start your evening meal since you've not arrived yet."
"I understand. Let us go then before they get worried," Youko replied.
Keiki loosened his embrace on her and rose to stand in full height. He extended both his arms to her as she grabbed them and slowly lifted her legs to come to a stand. However, her knee buckled and Keiki quickly caught her again in his arms, making both blush in embarrassment.
Worried about her condition, he asked again.
"Shuujou, are your legs all right? Can you stand now?" A frown etched his brows.
"I'm fine, Keiki. Thank you. But I need a little help to walk for now." She smiled and got hold of his arms and leaned on them to push her up to full height and start walking slowly back to the palace halls.
In silence, they walked back to the warm shelter of the palace halls, wanting to enjoy this quiet moment of being in each other's presence as much as possible. Neither of them wanted to break it with any words spoken.
The moon climbed higher into the star-studded night sky as the previous spot where the two were had spilled with moonlight. The winds howled and began its relentless coldness blowing onto the land below the sea of clouds. The white plum blossoms detached and drifted down one by one. It sweet fragrance continues to permeate the garden long after the garden resumes quietness once more.
Notes:
Joan - Thanks for informing me on the signed reviews. I did not know about it! Thanks again.
Sarah- Thanks for the reviews and here is the new chapter! Hope you like it.
