Disclaimer: J.K. does not belong to me. However, these stories do belong to me.
Authors Note: I've decided to write drabble for 31days community on live journal. These are the stories that I've came up with for each of the themes.
Title: Stories of Change Series
Chapter 5
Author: Fuji S. Yuki
September 21: A secret unlit room
Tai-koku
There exist a secret in the unlit room that resides the King of Tai. Only a few knew of this secret one being the owner of the room the other being the servant of the King of Tai. When night crept upon the occupants of the palace of Tai, there are shadows. Shadows that would emerge from Tai-ou's room and slowly they would walk steadily until they pause in front of the Kirin of Tai's doorway.
Then just as quickly, they would melt underneath the doorway leaving the King of Tai's room empty. When dawn emerges, the servants would not go to Tai-ou's quarters rather the attendants head to the Taiho's room leaving a tray filled with food for two individuals instead of one.
Then just as quickly as the tray is set down the tray disappears through the door. Happy sounds come from inside and soft chuckles can be heard creeping slowly out of the door of the Kirin of Tai's quarters.
No one would tell the secrets to anyone but those that knew of such a secret kept it to themselves happy that the shadows would no longer linger in loneliness but inside happiness.
September 22: The observed observer
Ren-koku
When Taiki went to the country of Ren he never thought he would see such wondrous flourishing lands. Landscapes filled with trees and plants of vegetations and people that happily tended to the fields and the land.
The reason for this visit was to let Taiki learn more about the lands around the twelve kingdoms. King of Tai felt it would be best to educate the teenage Kirin by sending him to different areas. At least one Kingdom Taiki was to visit during once every sixth month. The visit would only last for maybe a month and then he would return to the side of his King.
This year Taiki was sent to Ren to learn and to perhaps bring information to Tai and to create a good diplomatic relationship with the two countries.
Taiki had been at Ren for almost two weeks during his stay he watches the Taiho of Ren carefully pour tea to him while her eyes would drift away to linger on her King at a far off distances.
It was surely odd for Taiki to watch such behavior and feeling infinitely curious he ask in a soft voice, "Why do you observe King of Ren? Is something the matter?"
Renli smiled at the ebony haired teenager and picked up her tea cup, "The job of a Kirin is to observe and ensure the safety of their King."
"But…is that all?" Trying to not seem intrusive but wondering what his purpose was besides selection of a King, Taiki mimic the blonde Kirin and carefully cradle the cup in his hands.
"No. Sometimes your job is the most difficulties of all and that is simply just watching." Renli whispered and brought her tea cup up and took a sip.
Finding nothing else to say Taiki brought the tea to his lips and sip. For only thing he could do now was observe the observer.
September 23: To Aurora, not to hurry
Kei-koku
It has been almost five years since Youko had taken her throne and started to build her kingdom up. At first the young Empress of Kei felt incredibly worried and wanted to hurry up the progress of her Kingdom's recovery.
However, as day went by and instruction came she began to learn that there was no need to hurry. That one could not hurry a tree to grow up from a seed in the next day, that one cannot build a home in just a few quick days, and so Youko began to slow down.
The Scarlet Child as she was referred too. Sometimes it sounded quite like the reference of the Roman Goddess of Dawn. A literature that she had learned about in her history classes in Hourai (Japan) and with it bouts of thoughts came regarding time and building at a pace that would not evidently over burden or topple what was being created.
After all one cannot rush the sun to rise let alone push it to set. So Youko kept on working and now after five years her kingdom was at least flourishing, people would not grow hungry due to lack of food, and bridges to damns that were created to keep out floods have been constructed with careful consideration in the places they have been placed.
It may take a hundred years to keep the kingdom fed and well balanced but Youko knew that time was on her side as long as she didn't do anything that would reap the wrath of the Heavens.
September 24: Almost gothic
Tai-Koku
Perhaps it wasn't wise of him to accept the position of looking after the guests. Nevertheless the Kirin of Tai found himself being subjected to unscrupulous acts by the rulers of Han.
"Um are you sure this is alright?" Uncertainty lurked in the youngest Kirin of the twelve kingdom's voice.
Han-ou laughs and flipped open his fan, "Yes it is highly fashionable as of this season besides it compliments your eyes and hair."
"Master is quite good at picking out clothing and it really does make you look charming." Hanli reassured her little brother.
Giving a nervous look Taiki took a step closer to the mirror and stared at his image. Dark robes of several textures surround his body with ruffles and silk blacken sash. Make up in black and violet decorated his eyes and lip stick in the shade of clear liquid shimmer those puckered lips.
"In Hourai…" Taiki began as he looked back at the pair, "This seems almost gothic."
By this time the King of Tai entered the room and stared at his Kirin. "Han-ou." The ruler of Tai addressed his guests, "There is a messenger asking for you and Han-Taiho."
"Ah thank you. Let's go Hanli."
As the two exist Gyousou walked closer to his Kirin, "I'm sorry that I've kept you waiting. If I knew what they would have done I would have come sooner to relieve you of your clothing."
September 25: What we had I cannot even say
En-Koku
Five hundred years and Shouryuu still couldn't figure out what sort of relationship he had with his Taiho. Rokuta was a special entity one that was free and independent and yet dependent to a fault.
Some days he would run across the fields of En independent in searching and the next day he would be curl up in Shouryuu's lap nuzzling his face in his master's hand. Even after five hundred years this cycle continued.
There are times when Shouryuu felt a brotherly connection to his Kirin there was a kinship between them that kept them together. They had felt suffering of the people, watched horrible death, and suffered through fire and smoke and demolishing of their homes in Hourai. This linked them as brothers in a way but it wasn't the right word that Shouryuu was looking for.
At times he felt they were like father and son, where Rokuta would nestle near him for shelter and support a smaller being that needed someone to help and watch over. However, this wasn't true in a sense since Enki would sometimes be seen watching over him and the kingdom like a mother protecting her young.
Then there were periods where Shouryuu felt like he and the Kirin of En were like lovers. The gentle whispers they gave one another and the intimate looks that are traded to the soft brushing of hands in the bed as they slept beside one another.
Even though Shouryuu could not explain what they had together he wouldn't trade it for the world. Since even though it was a weird relationship it was everything he ever wanted let alone needed.