DISCLAIMER : SD and its characters all belong to Dr. T. I am just one of millions and millions of people who love SD.
A/N : Lame title…Don't you think so?
The Prince: Bear Town
Kogure found that journeying in a carriage for a day is really tiring. His back was already hurting and he feels that his backside is going to get cramped. Rukawa and Mitsui also seemed very uncomfortable. Kogure noticed that Rukawa was shifting uncomfortably and Mitsui was already starting to massage his own back. But it is not for long because they had arrived to a town. It is quite a big town and for some unknown reason it is named The Bear town.
"Oi, Megane-kun! Where should we stop?" asked Sakuragi turning around. The curtain has long ago been forsaken as Kogure was eager to see the scenery. Rukawa also does not like the confinement of the small carriage. "Can we stop at a restaurant? I'm hungry."
"Don't be so rude!" Mitsui smacked his head.
"Do a'hou." Rukawa added.
"Nani-o! Grrrr…" Sakuragi growled looking at Mitsui. He then returned the smack. The horse ran like crazy as Sakuragi's other hand pulled the reins too tightly as he hit Mitsui with the other. Kogure was thrown backwards into the carriage. Mitsui's face shows horror as Kogure fell.
"Hanamichi!" he yelled. Mitsui cringed as he saw innocent bystanders fled and flew through the air as the mad carriage zoom through. Hanamichi finally calmed down and brought the horses to normal speed.
Kogure got up and was fixing his spectacles. Rukawa was nonchalant as ever.
"Why did you do that!" Mitsui was angry.
"Why did you smack the tensai like that!" Hanamichi hollered back. "Who do you think you are?"
"You should be asking yourself that question!" Mitsui was trying hard to be polite in front of the prince and was talking through gritted teeth. The tension was heightening. Rukawa looks at them, anticipating folly from two very loathsome youths.
"Hanamichi." Kogure put his hand on Hanamichi's arm as he was sitting behind the redhead. "Calm down. Don't be mad. I'm sure Hisashi didn't mean to hurt you." It seems that the prince does have a soothing effect on the redhead as the latter took his hands off Mitsui's collar. Mitsui also seemed a bit calm. "And yes Hanamichi, we should stop at a restaurant. I think everyone is also hungry."
"Hahaha! Megane-kun. Finally someone agrees with the tensai." Mitsui was about to retort to Hanamichi and ask him to respect the prince when he saw Kogure's pleading look. Mitsui kept quiet. They finally stopped at a restaurant and chose a table fitting for four.
"Hisashi, could you look for a motel for us to stay tonight?" Kogure asked as they were seated. Mitsui was up in an instant. "Kaede, would you mind going with Hisashi?" Rukawa gave a look that says don't-ask-me-to-mingle-with-this-fool to Kogure that only Kogure can understand. Kogure only nod meaningfully to Kaede. "You have to go in pairs. We are not at home here. It's best if we stick together." This time it was Mitsui's time to protest.
"But we cannot leave you alone. Who will protect you?"
"Eh? Protect? Megane-kun, are they protecting you?" Hanamichi looked critically at Kogure and suddenly nods furiously. "Yes, you would need protection Megane-kun."
"That's okay, Hisashi. You two don't have to be worried." Kogure replied seeing Rukawa's also worried look." I think Hanamichi and I will do just fine here. We'll order the foods while we wait for you. I think two rooms should be enough, we don't have much money."
"Wah!" The redhead is currently rolling on the bed. He seemed to be very excited.
"Are you sure you want to share the same bed with him?" Mitsui asked Kogure worriedly. "Perhaps one of us should share the room with you." Mitsui pointed towards himself and Rukawa.
"It's okay. We'll be fine." Answered Kogure.
"Ahou. Get off the bed" Rukawa ordered. He then strode towards the bed and quickly throw one pillow on to the floor. "You're sleeping on the floor tonight."
"Teme! Teme…..Kitsune!" Hanamichi blurted. Rukawa stared at him. Stone cold on the outside, but in the inside he was burning. Mitsui was stifling a laugh after hearing the nickname that the redheaded coach-boy just gave Rukawa.
"Ahou!" Rukawa said before launching himself onto the redhead. Then, all that Mitsui and Kogure could see is a ball of dust. After a while, the two boys were standing and staring daggers at each other. Both were sporting bruises on their faces and bodies. But none shows any signs of defeat. The air is full of tension. Mitsui and Kogure were dreading of whatever that would happen next when suddenly Rukawa turned around and headed for the door.
"I'm going to sleep." Rukawa said and left but not before he gave Kogure a polite goodbye. His eyes were sending messages to Kogure's whether Kogure really wants to share the room with Hanamichi. It is not his only concern actually. Rukawa also doesn't like sharing the same room with Mitsui. He doesn't like Mitsui very much actually. They had been rivals at the academy and they are from different units at school. Kogure gave him a reassuring look. This happens only in matter of seconds. No one but only the two brothers understands it.
"Kitsune! How dare you leave. The tensai has not finished talking to you yet!" Hanamichi hollered at Rukawa's retreating figure. "Ouch!" Mitsui had suddenly smacked the fiery youth on the back of his head.
"Rukawa is right you know. You should sleep on the floor tonight. You can't possibly share the bed with young master Kogure here." Mitsui said.
Sakuragi sulked and turned towards Kogure. " Anou Megane, do I really have to sleep on the floor? Perhaps I should go sleep in the carriage. I always sleep in the carriage on my assignments."
"No I don't think so. This bed is big enough for the two of us. You can share it with me." Said Kogure. And that brought smiles to the young redhead.
"Hah!" Sakuragi gave Mitsui a triumphant look. Mitsui looks like he was to object but decided not to when he saw the determined look that the prince gave him. He decided to ignore Hanamichi for the night.
"So, Kogure. I'm going to bed now. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?"
"No, I'm fine. Thank you." Kogure answered sitting on the bed.
"Good night, Kogure."
"Good night Hisashi."
"Hey, Hanamichi." He called out in a sterner voice to the excited redhead who was patting his pillow.
"What?"
"If Kogure needs anything, I want you to assist him. Or you should call me at my room."
"Yeah, yeah. I know that already." The redhead answered lazily. He was undressing for bed and did not wish to entertain Mitsui any further. Mitsui gave the two a worried look before turning towards the door. But before he goes, Kogure called him.
"Hisashi." Mitsui turned towards Kogure. " Are you okay sharing the room with Rukawa?" The prince beckoned him towards the small round table and they sat.
"Yes. I'm okay with that. Is there anything that you are worried about?" Mitsui asked Kogure.
"It's nothing. I just noticed that you and him don't seem to be on cordial terms. I thought the two of you are from the same academy." Mitsui gave a chuckle at that.
" The academy is a place of intense competition. I guess people just want us to do our best and we did not have much thought on ….closeness. We are not so close with all the competition." Mitsui explained a bit hesitantly. He did not want to make the academy seem like a bad place. He was wondering why the prince would want to know about such thing and it is not his intention to make anyone look bad in front of the prince if the person is not really bad or in other words not evil. "After all, he's a very quiet person and we're from different units."
"I see." Kogure nodded. "I guess that's all for tonight. Good night, Hisashi. Get some rest tonight."
"I will. Good night. You too have some rest." He gave Kogure a smile before stepping out from the door. Outside, Mitsui wondered about the prince's questions. But he dismissed the thought and had no appetite for any speculations as he is very tired. He decided to go ahead to his room but not before cringing at the thought of sharing the same room, same bed with Rukawa his archrival.
A/N : Finally I've completed this chapter. I'll try to b more consistent next time. Thank you for those who reviewed. I've decided that this fic is going to be a yaoi one. Finally no more dragging storyline…