Author's Notes: And so I live! Yes people, miracles happen. And now, two years after I started, I bring to you the next chapter. I hope my readers are still alive as well… This is gonna be a long chapter… and everything that will happen cannot fit in a single chapter even! I do believe Kidd was going through Highland… I think I smell a subplot... :grins:
Disclaimer: One day, I'll own Millie/Luc and make a ton of money out of the couple that should have been. But until that time, I will content myself with fanfiction.
Who Is the Mysterious Magician Luc?
Chapter 7: New Lives For Ones With Pasts Forgotten
Ouch…It seemed like every part of Kidd's body was in pain. He could hardly get his eyes opened. With considerable effort, he finally managed to pry his eyelids apart.
He could make out three shadowy figures, child-like in their slightness, looking down at him. Kidd sat up on the bed and blinked slowly, trying to clear his vision.
Three little girls were looking down at him. He must have suffered some form of brain damage because he could swear they all looked exactly alike to him. All three were about seven years old, of exactly the same shape and size, with bouncy chin-length dark-brown bobs, and round eyes of the brightest blue.
"Mama, Papa—he's wakey-up!" One of the three little girls called. She was a like a bouncing ball of blue.
Triplets! Kidd realized. They all wore the same outfits—a cheongsam, knee-length trousers, and a headband—but in different colors: powder blue, butter yellow and light pink.
"Mama, Papa!" The little girl all in blue bounded out of the room. Her sisters stared at Kidd; the one in yellow sat at the foot of his bed and stared at him curiously, while the one in pink peeked at him from behind the bed's draperies.
Kidd now noticed that he was in a large room, with beautiful furnishings of a nice pale-colored wood, the windows had dark-blue draperies over gauzy cream curtains and the floor had a dark-blue carpet. Dark-blue and cream seemed to be the room's motif; the walls were cream and had dark blue borders, and the four-poster bed he lied on had the same draperies as the windows. Even the luxurious nightshirt he wore was cream with blue trimming.
I am in a palace!"Looky, Mama, Papa!"
The little girl in blue returned, two adults trailing behind her. One was a regal-looking man with piercing blue eyes and a long blond ponytail, looking a bit strange in his Oriental clothes—a white gi and loose dark-blue pants. The other was a smiling woman with warm brown eyes; she was lovely, her dark-brown hair in a loose chignon with several locks framing her pretty face, and garbed in a green kimono with a black obi and intricate embroidery. She carried a tray in her hands.
The little girl in pink ran towards them and clambered up the man's arms. The little girl in yellow bounced off the bed to throw her arms around the woman's knees. Obviously, they were the triplets' parents.
"Let's make you comfortable, ne?" The woman said kindly to Kidd. She set the tray on the bedside table and busied herself arranging the pillows behind him so he could sit comfortably against them. "What's your name dear?" She asked, sitting on a chair by the bed.
"I'm… I'm Kidd…" he croaked. Talking was difficult; his throat was so dry.
"Oh poor thing, you must be starving." The woman set the tray of food in front of him. "Eat up. I cooked this especially for you."
Kidd needed no further invitation. There was a steaming bowl of ramen and a pot of sweet-smelling tea. He mumbled a quick "Thank you," before digging in.
"I'm Nanami," the woman introduced herself as Kidd ate.
"Jowy," the man nodded at him.
"These are our daughters, Chidori," the little girl in blue waved at him. "Chiyama," Nanami pointed at the little girl in yellow. "And Chiharu—honey, don't hide from our guest." The little girl in pink was now standing behind Jowy, peeking from behind his legs.
Kidd swallowed quickly. "Nice to meet you. Th-thank you… for taking me in…"
"It's no problem," Jowy assured him. "You gave us quite a scare. Shuuichi, our eldest son, and I were walking through the pass from L'Renouille when we saw you tumble off a ledge."
What Jowy had said jogged Kidd's memory. "Yes… I was running from a wolf when I… well, it was a choice between being hopelessly mangled by a beast and being squashed into a pancake… I chose squashed…"
"We brought you here and had a doctor see you. You've been asleep for more than a whole day." Jowy informed him.
"Thank you Sir Jowy, Lady Nanami." Kidd said. He finished the last of the ramen. Actually, it didn't taste very good—the soup was too salty, the noodles were pasty, and the meat and vegetables had no flavor—but he had been too hungry to care. Apparently, Lady Nanami wasn't a very good cook. He gulped down the entire pot of tea to wash away the saltiness of the soup. "May I know… where exactly am I?"
"This is our house, Atreides Manor." Jowy gestured around. "In Kyaro Village in Highland, of the New Dunan Republic."
Atreides… Atreides… Where have I heard that before? Kidd shook his head. Kyaro! Then that means—"Why were you traveling all alone anyway, Kidd?" Nanami asked, concerned. "You're still such a young boy…"
"Don't worry about me, Ma'am. I have to get used to it." He clapped one hand unto his chest. "I'm an informer, you see."
Nanami clapped her hands. "Ooh, a detective! How delightful! I used to have a detective friend back in—" She startled, then looked down at her hands. "I'm babbling, sorry."
"Yes, I am a detective…" Kidd's eyes suddenly popped out of their sockets. "My things! Oh dear… my notes, where are they!"
Nanami and Jowy exchanged sympathetic glances. "I am sorry Kidd… Shuuichi saw the wolf tearing a rucksack apart… it must have been yours. All you had were these…" He held up Kidd's old, torn clothes. But peeking from his vest's pocket…
"My precious notes!" Kidd snatched the notebook and cuddled it—as best as one could cuddle a little notebook that is. Nanami and Jowy exchanged happy smiles.
"Thank you so much for all your help, Ma'am, Sir," Kidd bowed his head respectfully at them. "But I really need to get back to my investigation now. It's a good thing you brought me here in Kyaro. I heard the leader of the Alliance Army is here—Master Riou."
Nanami and Jowy stiffened, exchanging meaningful looks. Kidd found this suspicious.
"Can you point me in his direction?" Kidd asked.
Nanami jumped off her chair. Jowy shook his head vehemently. "Oh no, we can do nothing for you. We apologize."
"Oh… Okay…" Kidd said slowly.
"It's dark outside, Kidd. If you really must leave, at least do it tomorrow." Nanami told him. "I will have a package of goods for you, okay? Girls—come with Mama and Papa now, Kidd needs to rest. I'll bring you more food later Kidd."
Jowy took his wife's hand and they exited briefly. Chidori waved cheerfully before leaving. "Goodnight Kidd!"
Chiyama looked at him penetratingly. It was rather unnerving. Wordlessly, she left the room.
Chiharu looked like a deer caught in headlights. She squeaked a, "Bye!" before bolting away.
Kidd woke up early the next day. He washed his face with the pitcher of water and basin on the bedside table. There was a note there for him.
Good morning Kidd. Go down the hall to the big staircase and go down to the ballroom. On the other side of the big doors there is the dining room. Join us for breakfast.
N. Atreides
On the chair, he found his old clothing, hopelessly tattered by his accident. Beside it however, lay a set of clothes that looked like his old ones, only they are of a much finer quality. The blue jacket, black shorts and matching hat were all velvet and the red vest was cashmere. There was a new shirt in crisp white cotton, a new bowtie and cashmere socks. His canvas sneakers had been cleaned and resoled.
He donned his new clothes. It felt good to wear them. They were too fine for traveling, Kidd would have to get some tougher clothes, but he liked them just the same.
Kidd stepped out of the room and found one of the seven year-old girls outside, waiting for him. This one wore a sunny yellow kimono with a white obi and an inquisitive look on her face. "Hi."
"Oh, hello…" Kidd racked his brain, trying to remember who's who. "Chi… yami, right?"
She shook her head. "Chiyama!"
"Oh, I'm sorry." Kidd apologized. "You three just look so much alike…"
"No one r'members Chiyama's name!" She pouted.
"I won't forget again, I swear." Kidd promised.
Chiyama seemed satisfied. She walked down the hall and Kidd followed her, assuming they were both going for breakfast.
"Mama says yer a d'fective!" Chiyama chirped.
"It's detective," Kidd corrected.
"Yeah, I know. D'fective." She nodded knowingly. Kidd suppressed a smirk. "What're you d'fectiving here?"
"I'm investigating Master Riou's whereabouts," Kidd explained. "He was the leader of the Alliance Army. I need to talk to him about somebody important."
"Who's 'portant?" Chiyama asked.
"Master Luc. He's a very good magician. And a friend of Master Riou."
"Wow a magi-shun!" Chiyama exclaimed. "Y'know, Chiyama will help."
"Oh?" Kidd smiled, amused. "How?"
"Chiyama knows Uncle Riou's house!" She said excitedly. "Chiyama will show you!"
"What? You know where Master Riou lives!" Kidd babbled incredulously. "Uncle Riou!"
She nodded excitedly. "Uncle Riou is Mama's brother. Uncle Riou is Papa's friend!"
That would explain the strange behavior of Lady Nanami and Sir Jowy! "Really?"
"Yes!" Chiyama nodded vigorously.
Kidd weighed his options. He could take his chance, going around Kyaro by himself, hoping to stumble upon Riou, depending on blind luck. Everybody knew the Hero of the Dunan Unification War didn't want to be found. Or he could take Chiyama's offer, what did he have to lose?
But Lady Nanami and Sir Jowy! If they're who Chiyama says they are to Master Riou, then that means… Kidd's eyes widened. They're the Trio! Lady Nanami is the Hero's sister, a very important figure in the War. And Sir Jowy was their friend who became their enemy—and the Highland King!
Obviously they have started new lives and want to forget all that had happened in the past… Am I really going to go behind their back? Kidd bit his lip guiltily. After everything they have done for me?
He stopped walking and so did Chiyama. They have reached the end of the long hallway and the top of the stairs. He smiled down at her. "I'll ask your parents for permission, okay?"
She frowned at him. "But—y'know they don't wanna!"
"Then I'll respect their wishes." He took her hand and they walked carefully down the stairs.
Kidd and Chiyama walked across the vast ballroom, to the huge open doorway that led to long, elegant dining hall. Jowy Atreides was born a nobleman's son… I suppose this is his inheritance…
"Good morning Kidd!" Nanami stood up and glided towards him. She looked angelic; a pale pink ribbon adorned her hair hanging loose and free down her back, her face free of paint as usual, and wearing a white kimono with a pale pink trim and a pale blue obi. "Thank you for helping our guest, Chiyama. Come Kidd…"
They walked to the far end of the long table. Kidd saw Jowy sitting at the head of the table, and sitting at the sides were Chidori, Chiharu and three other people he didn't recognize. They all stood up, waiting for everyone to sit.
Nanami took her place at Jowy's right and told Kidd to sit beside her. "Good morning," Jowy said. "Children, this is Kidd, our guest. Children, introduce yourselves."
The boy at Jowy's left looked about thirteen years of age. His ponytail was reminiscent of his father's, his eyes were golden-brown and sparkled intelligently behind a pair of wire-rimmed glasses. Unlike the rest of the family, his suit was in an Occidental fashion. "I'm Shuuichi. Pleased to meet you."
"My rescuer. Thank you." Kidd bowed politely.
"Hello Kidd, I'm Yanagi!" The girl beside Shuuchi smiled brightly at him. She looked about twelve, and her features were exactly like her father's, only far more delicate. In a word, she was stunning. Her hair was braided in pigtails and she had on pale peach kimono that warmed her pale skin.
"Ryuuya!" Chirped the boy sitting beside Kidd. He was about ten years old, with short dark-brown hair and cheerful brown eyes. Kidd noticed that the belt of his white karate uniform was black. Yikes! He looks good-natured, but I wouldn't want to be on his bad side…
"And of course you have met Chidori, Chiyama and Chiharu." Jowy gestured to the triplets.
"Well, we better not let the food get cold. Let's have breakfast!" Nanami sat down and everybody else followed suit.
Breakfast for this family was an almost luxurious affair. There were several platters; one had spiced ham cuts, there was one for sausages, one for bacon strips, and yet another one for sunny-side-up eggs. There was a big bowl of steaming rice in the middle of the four platters. There was also a bowl of fruit, a tray stacked high with three different kinds of toast and a dish that held dainty little cakes. Three jugs were on the table, one for milk, one for juice and one for sparkling water.
"What is the matter? Is the food not to your liking?" Jowy asked Kidd.
The young informer realized that he had been sitting in his chair, unmoving, the entire time. He shook his head vigorously. "No, it's not that. Everything looks so delicious. I'm just not used to seeing so much food for breakfast!"
"It's the most important meal of the day!" Nanami exclaimed. Jowy chuckled.
"Mother makes it a point that we all eat a huge breakfast everyday, you see." Shuuchi explained.
Nanami was filling everyone's bowls with a cloudy vegetable soup that didn't smell very appetizing. "Well it's a good habit. Now everyone better eat my specially prepared soup."
Kidd noticed how everyone visibly winced. It was understandable really, just last evening he had learned that the Lady Nanami's cooking skills left much to be desired.
She was now looking at everyone expectantly. The Atreides children were all holding their breaths. Shuuichi's discreet cough was addressed to their father, whose pale face was now tinged with a sickly green that matched the soup.
"Jowy…" Nanami began sweetly. To say that her voice was like a honey-covered knife would be the perfect description. "A father has to set a good example for his children…"
"O-of course dear…" Jowy gulped. He spooned up some of the soup and swallowed it quickly.
There was a collective sigh among the children, half-relieved and half-disappointed. Ryuuya muttered to Kidd, "If Papa doesn't eat Mama's cooking, then we wouldn't have to either. But then if he didn't, it wouldn't be a pretty sight…"
"What was that, honey?" Nanami asked Ryuuya, her eyes narrowed.
"Uh… I was just telling Kidd the benefits of this… health soup…" Ryuuya lied.
"I see…" Nanami smiled serenely at her son.
Kidd shuddered. He believed Ryuuya. He downed the soup in big gulps, trying not to let the taste stick in his mouth. With the soup out of the way, he enjoyed the rest of breakfast, taking a portion of each dish. He didn't remember eating so much for breakfast before.
Chidori was talking excitedly. Kidd marveled at how the child could talk without spilling any of the food in her mouth. He supposed she must have had a lot of practice.
"Big brother Shuuichi goes to school in La-Ren-Wheel," she was saying. "Big brother is so smart… Papa and Mama say only smart boys and girls can study there!"
"Oh, the boarding school in L'Renouille?" Kidd asked Shuuichi, who nodded. "Wow! It is on par with Newleaf Academy, isn't it?"
"Yes. But their teaching styles and course contents are more like those in the Crystal Valley Academy. Most Highlanders went there to study you see, so they pass on the traditions to their students…"
"I just passed by Crystal Valley before coming to Highland," Kidd said.
"What is it like?" Shuuichi asked interestedly. "I have always wanted to go there, however…" his gaze wandered to his parents.
"They are very strict…" Yanagi said. "They didn't allow Shuuichi to go to Harmonia."
Ryuuya rolled his eyes. "It is from those darned Harmonians that Highlanders inherited their feudal mentalities from. I don't see what's so interesting about them."
"Well…" Kidd tilted his head thoughtfully. "It is true that the Harmonians can be a bit too stuffy for my taste. There is something to be said, however, about how elegant and capable they are. Their huge libraries, just filled with information… Their architecture… And their culture!"
"I have to see it." Shuuichi stated.
"Maybe in your dreams." Ryuuya mumbled.
"What brought you there anyway, Kidd?" Yanagi asked, more to distract her brothers than out of any real curiosity.
"Kidd is a d'fective!" Chiyama exclaimed.
"A 'defective'?" Ryuuya snorted.
"She means 'detective', ignoramus." Shuuichi retorted.
"I knew that!" Ryuuya shot back.
"So what's in Crystal Valley, Kidd?" Yanagi prompted.
There really was no better time than now for Kidd to broach his topic of interest, seeing as how everyone was relaxed and eating those little frosted cakes.
"Kidd?"
"High Bishop Sasarai of Harmonia," Kidd replied.
Nanami gasped. Jowy was now looking at Kidd as well. Shuuichi's eyes glimmered with interest, but Yanagi and Ryuuya seemed uneasy, and the triplets looked confused.
"Who?" Chiyama peered up at Kidd, her little face looking inquisitive.
"Why look for him?" Shuuichi asked.
"Because I am doing an investigation about his brother, the magician Luc." Kidd declared. "And I need to talk to you, Sir Jowy, and you Lady Nanami—and your brother Master Riou too."
What did I expect anyway? For them to simply cater to my request?
Clop-clop-clop-clop-clop-clop—
Kidd sighed over the assorted sounds of Kyaro's streets. Even after making it clear that in no way did he wish to disrupt the now peaceful lives of the trio, Sir Jowy and Lady Nanami had steadfastly refused to talk about their past, or to lead him to Riou. Sir Jowy instructed Kidd to forget the matter and said that he would make arrangements for Kidd to go home in a comfortable manner. Meanwhile, he was welcome to stay in Atreides Manor.
Kidd had declined the generous offer. Yanagi gave him a neatly prepared pack filled with goods and a spare change of clothes to take on his travels. It was now strapped unto his back, and he walked the paths of Kyaro, contemplating the situation.
He had to talk to Master Riou, and he would just have to find Riou himself, using his sleuthing skills. He wouldn't leave Kyaro until then. Surely Sir Jowy and Lady Nanami couldn't begrudge him of that.
Clop-clop-clop-clop-clop-clop—
That insistent sound was becoming steadily louder as Kidd walked on.
"Hey." A voice behind Kidd called.
It was Shuuichi, riding on a huge pale gray horse. In front of him sat Chidori and Chiyama.
"Yes?" Kidd asked.
"Hop on." Shuuichi gestured to a pony with an almost strawberry blond coat, its reins tied securely to the gray horse's saddle.
"Why?" Kidd inquired askance.
"Don't look at me like that," Shuuichi told him. "Uncle Riou's house is on the far west edge of the village. Riding a horse would save you the time and energy."
The young detective looked even more guarded than ever.
Shuuichi sighed. He jumped off the horse in one fluid motion and walked until he was merely an arm's length away from Kidd. "We just want to help you."
"Yes!" Chidori chirped.
"Why would you want to help me? You heard Sir Jowy and Lady Nanami."
"Kidd…" Chiyama called to him. "Chiyama promised to help."
"Kidd… I'll tell you why." Shuuichi adjusted his spectacles, and the sunlight glinted off the lenses as he did, hiding his eyes from view. "We want to know what we can about the time our parents and our uncle were involved in that war.
"They never want to talk about it, especially our father. They told us a little bit… but mostly, we've heard more from other people than them. I want to know which parts of the stories were true…"
"Is that it?…" Kidd considered his options. I don't want to do this to Sir Jowy and Lady Nanami but it is my job to help them discover the truth! "Okay. Let's go. No horses for me though."
"Why not?"
"I… I just don't like them," Kidd replied evasively.
Shuuchi nodded. "I'll walk with you and lead them. Chidori and Chiyama will have to ride though."
The two boys walked in companionable silence, broken only by the clopping of the horses' hooves. The two little girls remained quiet too.
Shuuichi spoke first. "The True Wind Bearer… you're doing your investigation on him?"
"Yes…"
"Mother… some of the tales she did tell us involved him…" Shuuichi said. "Chiyama, do you remember the story of the wind magician?"
"Uh-huh!"
"He flattened the Harmonian forces with a single wave of his hand," Shuuichi said. Kidd nodded, although he already knew that story.
"Chiyama knows another one!" Chiyama raised her hand and waved it. Kidd nodded in acknowledgement. "T'was Christmas… And there was a little girl who gave the little boy magician a gift—"
"I know that too!" Chidori squealed. "But the little boy magician didn't give her a present… Y'know what he did? She has never, ever seen snow, ever! He made snow for her!"
Chiyama clapped. "Lots an' lots of snow! A snow-rain!"
Kidd looked confused. Shuuichi chuckled. "It Yuletide and there was a lively party in the castle… (1)
… But he was all alone in the garden terrace. His dusky green coat blended with the plants that lined the ledge he was sitting on. His gaze was trained on the plains of South Window, although from the far-away look in his eyes, his mind was obviously elsewhere…
"Luc!"
He whipped around at the voice. The deep auburn of her long hair gleamed in the moonlight. Despite the haze, the rose in her cheeks was visible, intensified by the cold.
"Why did you leave? You didn't get my present yet." The fingers of her small hand enfolded something.
"You got me a present!"
The surprise was evident in his voice but she chose to ignore it and closed the distance between them with several steps. She placed the necklace around his neck. "I made it in green and white to match your usual robes…"
From his sitting position on the wall, they were eye-to-eye, and she smiled at him. He looked away, confused. "… I didn't get you anything."
She shook her head. "That's not the point." She sat beside him and reached out to gently touch the delicate pendant. "That is a dreamcatcher. You have to wear it always, when you go to sleep. It will catch you some good dreams and only the good dreams."
"Interesting…" He murmured.
A chilly wind blew and she pulled her shawl tightly about herself. "It's so cold…"
She was surprised when he removed his coat and draped it over her. From the look on his face, it seemed he surprised himself as well. She ran her hands over the velvety material of the coat. The coat was lined with fur inside and felt warm.
"Uh…" She murmured. Surely she had to return the coat to him, he must be feeling cold as well. "Aren't you cold?"
He shook his head. "This is nothing. The winters in Harmonia are freezing. It snows every time."
"It's so cold now. Do you think it will snow?" She asked hopefully.
"No. It rarely snows in this part of Jowston."
"That's too bad. I have never seen snow before…"
"………" He raised one hand towards the sky, a dazzling pillar of light shooting from his hand for a moment. Then it died out.
"What did you do?" She asked.
A few moments later, something white settled on her nose. She looked up and saw thousands upon thousands of white flakes drifting down. "This—this is snow, isn't it?"
"It is."
She squealed delightedly. "Snow!" She marveled at how beautiful the snowflakes looked against the blue material of her skirt. "Thank you, thank you!" She embraced him.
"It was just a simple spell…"
"Thank you…this is the best gift I have ever received."
He fidgeted uneasily. Clearly, he wasn't used to such affection. "… Let's go inside before we freeze."
"Okay…" She entwined her warm dainty hand with his cold one. His hand stiffened at first then relaxed. They walked back inside the castle, clasping each other's hand.
"I always liked that story," Shuuichi sighed wistfully. "Mama said the magician was never very friendly. He acted mean even. But she said everyone has goodness in their heart… and if you reached out with goodness, you might touch that place in their heart and you will get to see that goodness… The girl… she never stopped reaching out to him, even though other people gave up… and she proved that there was something good in him…"
In his mind's eye, Kidd could see two figures; a green-garbed boy and a girl in a prettyazure gown, huddled together in the mild snowfall.
How strange it is to be able to picture the 'Wind Beast' in such a tender scenario, capable of such gentleness… But with each new story he heard of Luc, he became less the beast, less the unearthly power, and more… human.
"I think Mother was quite fond of him," Shuuichi smirked. "In fact, I suspect she would have been capable of… having strong feelings for the True Wind Rune Bearer if she had never met Father, and she wasn't friends with that girl who adored the magician."
"The girl in the story… was she named Sera?" Kidd asked, even though he knew it was highly improbable. The blond witch was only a toddler at the Dunan Unification War and Shuuichi said the girl had dark hair.
"No," Shuuichi shook his head. "I can't remember her name. But it was definitely not Sera."
"It's Meggy," Chiyama said knowingly.
"Don't you mean Meg?" Kidd asked. How befuddling. I was so sure that Lady Meg was involved with Sir Futch…
"No, not Meg." Shuuichi said. "But it was something like Meggie. Or was it Molly?"
"No, no! It's Miki!" Chiyama claimed.
"It is not!" Shuuichi clucked his tongue. "Not Miki—"
"Milkie!" Chidori supplied.
"Nooooo—"
Kidd chuckled as the straight-laced Atreides argued with his irrepressible younger sisters. The Atreides family may be strange, it all started with just what kind of personages the parents were, but there was something about their family dynamic that made him feel both comfortable and oddly contented…
Unexpectedly, guilt struck Kidd, hard. His arrival into the picture was going to do something to the Atreides, and he was almost certain it wasn't going to be anything good.
They stood in front of a simple wooden house, quite spacious but of a modest, almost spartan, design. The front yard was wide and was lined with wild shrubs at the edges. The center was all dirt however, a perfect practice area for martial artists.
"This is Uncle Riou's dojo…" Shuuichi gestured.
Kidd nodded and was about to thank Shuuichi but something caught his eye and caused him to open and close his mouth wordlessly.
"Big sister! Big brother!" Chidori exclaimed. "Chiharu!"
In the far side of the courtyard stood Yanagi, Ryuuya and Chiharu. Behind them were tethered two horses, a pale gray one that looked like Shuuichi's and a chestnut-colored steed.
Shuuichi glared at his siblings and demanded, "What do you think you're doing?"
"I should be asking you that question!" Yanagi exclaimed angrily.
"You left me alone…" Chiharu sniffled, looking at the other triplets with hurt in her blue eyes.
"I'm sorry Chiharu…" Shuuichi apologized. "I just didn't think you'd want to come with us—"
"What do you think you're trying to pull?" Ryuuya barked. "Running of with this informer…"
"I'm going to ask for the truth, that's what." Shuuichi replied.
"What truth!" Ryuuya snarled. "Please don't tell me you're going on about that War nonsense again, because we're past that. So Mama and Papa and Uncle Riou fought in the War. So what!"
"You're an idiot," Shuuichi snapped. "There is something they're not telling, and it's important that we find out what it is."
"Shuuichi…" Yanagi began fretfully. "Even if that was true, that doesn't mean you can just disobey Mama and Papa—"
"Oh yeah," Shuuichi cocked a blond eyebrow in challenge. "Watch me."
"You heard them!" Yanagi cried angrily. "They don't want to talk about it. Just leave it alone!"
"Well I don't want to!" Shuuichi roared.
"Just because you're older doesn't mean you can get away with everything." Ryuuya dropped into a stance, holding a long blue staff in front of him with one hand. (2)
"Big brother Ryuu!" Chidori clapped her hands over her mouth. Chiyama was shaking her head vehemently and Chiharu was now crying.
"You truly are a fool…" Shuuichi got into what Kidd recognized as a fencing form. He held a gleaming dark saber.
Where did that come from? Kidd wondered.
"Big brother Shuu!" Chiyama cried. "No, no, no, no, no!"
Kidd knew he should be trying to stop the two brothers from squabbling; it was kind of his fault after all, but he was too enthralled. How powerful would the children of two such heroes be?
"Cheater…" Ryuuya muttered, staring at the black sword in his brother's hand. The blade had a reddish sheen and despite the late morning sun, no rays glanced off it.
Curiouser and curiouser…
"I'm going to tell Papa…"
Shuuichi laughed at the younger boy. "Of course. That's what you do best after all."
"Papa told you not to do that!" Yanagi yelled.
Shuuichi slapped Ryuuya's staff with the flat of his swordblade. Ryuuya recoiled at the force. Who knew the bespectacled, mild-looking Atreides firstborn was so strong?
"Shuuichi, please! Mama was so worried the last time…" Yanagi pleaded. Chiharu bawled, tears rolling down her chubby cheeks. Yanagi hugged the little girl, trying to calm her down.
It frightened Kidd how Shuuichi's eyes had darkened almost to black, and how he held the heavy weapon expertly, almost negligently even.
"Shuuichi!" Yanagi cried.
"Shuuichi…"
Everybody turned to the voice. In front of the dojo entrance stood a man. It could simply be the sunlight, but to Kidd, he seemed to radiate a calming aura of the purest white.
Shuuichi blinked, as if brought out from a trance. "Uncle Riou…"
Riou approached his nephew. "It's just me Shuuichi… It's alright…"
So this is the great hero of the Dunan Unification War… the leader of the Alliance Army… He looked a lot like Ryuuya, which was unsurprising, since he and Nanami could have passed for twins. He had neatly trimmed brown hair and warm brown eyes, and wore a red Chinese-collar shirt with loose black pants. There was nothing truly remarkable about him. Except that certain radiance…
Shuuichi nodded then straightened up. The mysterious black sword was nowhere in sight.
"What are all of you doing here?" Riou inquired. He looked from Shuuichi to Ryuuya. "And fighting?…"
"Sorry…" Ryuuya hung his head. Then he glowered at Shuuichi. "It's all his fault!"
"What are you saying?" Riou asked.
"It's that kid, Kidd!" Ryuuya pointed an accusing finger at the informer.
"Ryuuya, you are not making any sense—"
"Uncle Riou, this is my friend, Kidd…" Shuuichi said. "He is a detective and he wishes to talk to the leader of the Alliance Army."
Riou turned to Kidd, who openly winced at the piercing look. After several moments, Riou gestured to the dojo's entrance. "This way, Kidd."
Kidd's jaw dropped. Ryuuya's expression mirrored his own.
"Go on Kidd," Shuuichi said.
Yanagi shook her head. "I'm going to tell them…"
"Whatever." Shuuichi muttered. "C'mon Kidd, let's go."
Ryuuya shook his head. "Chidori, Chiyama, Chiharu! We're going home."
"No." Chiyama crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. Chidori nodded.
Ryuuya stomped impatiently. "Fine. Come here Chiharu."
Chiharu muttered something unintelligibly.
"What?"
"I… I stay with big brother Shuuichi…" Chiharu squeaked.
"Chiharu!" Ryuuya yelled.
"C'mon, Ryuuya…" Yanagi called. Ryuuya climbed back on the chestnut-colored horse and Yanagi rode the pale one and the two left.
"I'm sorry I got you into trouble with your parents, Shuuichi…" Kidd apologized. "And you nearly fought with Ryuuya…"
"Don't worry about it," Shuuichi said in a would-be nonchalant, a forced smile plastered on his face. "Ryuuya and I were just arguing. You know how siblings are, it was just some brotherly tussle."
Kidd didn't think it looked much like a brotherly tussle, but didn't wish to say so and simply kept quiet. He followed Riou inside the house.
(1) The Christmas story was an edited excerpt from my Christmas Suikoden fanfic "Carol of the Bells". And isn't the girl in the story completely obvious? Don't kill me…
(2) I'm actually thinking of a Tir McDohl stance, not a Jowy stance…
More Author's Notes: I do realize that I have tortured myself by using six different OCs (the Atreides kids) in this chapter, but I cannot imagine Nanami and Jowy having anything other than a big family! And as for the triplets? I mean c'mon—who can ever resist three little blue-eyed Nanamis! SO cute! Anyway, I planned to include the next chapter with this update but I still need to work out a few kinks there. Gomen…
CelesluvsYugi: Your faith in my characterization skills touches me. However, I really cannot do angsty Sasarai seriously because… I would just want to make fun of him.:grins: I love him really, so I'll write about Sasa, just not in this one. I promise you that. Okay? I just hope I don't disappoint you dear.
Caffeine Luc: Of course it was Tir. smiles Who else would be his 'onii-chan', ne? Certainly NOT Sasa-chan! It makes me sad as well… Luc having to lose his innocent smile…
destiny.gal: sigh I'm truly sorry. One day, I will write something about Sasarai and Luc (in the middle of the big fic plans I have after this fic and it will be beautiful and wonderful and absolutely breathtakingly amazing… or rather, I will try my best not to disappoint any of you. I'm making it a point to include underrated characters from the previous games cos I love them!
GreatLight432: Oh yeah, I'll NEVER tell you why Tir said it's 'good' that Kidd is passing through Highland! P Seriously though, it's in this chappie. ; ) And I will keep writing! I finally have some time on my hands!
Aaron Nowack: Thanks, I'll make sure there will be more.
Nash Latjke-Clovis: I'm glad you finally read my stuff, Pika-chan. :) And yes, submit to the beauty of Futch/Meg! D Oh… right now I'm really not up to writing any major stuff about Luc and Sasa, cos yes, it would be difficult…
wellgunde: I love Luc and Sasarai too!
Luc1/forgottename/koriandrstar: Civil reviews pertaining to the story are always appreciated. Just keep that in mind and all will be fine.
Karana Belle: They will always be a good addition to any fanfiction. P I was pretty nervous about writing for them, because I haven't used Tir and Gremio much in my previous fanfics (especially Gremio!), but I think it turned out alright.
Freindofall: I'm alive!