Ch 4. Strained Relationship

"Oh, you finally came to visit, son-in-law."

"Father, you don't have to add the 'in-law' to son. It sounds so impersonal." Hao grinned at his father-in-low, enjoying their usual banter.

"Okay, you brat. So why haven't you been visiting?" He was half-joking of course. No matter how negligent Hao was towards his daughter, Jeanne, Soun still adored him. Though sympathetic towards his daughter for her anguish in being a jilted wife, he also understood a man's need to wander. He couldn't imagine Hao being confined to one place.

"Brat is better than son-in-law….I suppose."

"You didn't answer my question, son."

"I've been busy sorting out court affairs."

Soun knew that Hao really meant "personal affairs," but decided to leave it at that. A couple of months had passed since the last time Hao stayed at their estate; he didn't want to ruin the reconciliation.

Both filled each other in on the things that took place during each other's absence. After a couple of hours passed, Soun noticed that he'd been too busy recounting all their stories to realize Hao was avoiding something.

"You should see her. She's been waiting a long time."

Hao's sake cup paused midway to his mouth. He let out a tired sigh.

"You didn't come all the way here to avoid her."

"But I didn't come all the way here to argue with her either. You know the routine."

"Just bear with it. An argument may be inevitable, but it doesn't change the fact that she's been waiting for your arrival. Besides, it'd be worse if you didn't see her."

Another sigh came from Hao. The last drop of the rice wine had been drunk from his cup. He set it down in a dispirited way. "Maybe she's asleep already?"

The father-in-law shook his head disapprovingly. "Go on. Don't try to putting it off. Go talk to your wife. It's not healthy, you know."

"Hai, hai," Hao said grudgingly. He walked towards his wife's room wearing a bored expression.

Jeanne greeted her husband with a lifeless smile on her face. He probably would have been more comfortable with a scowl.

"So you decided to visit?"

"Yes, I did."

"Are you done playing around yet?"

"No, I'm not." Hao knew where this conversation was headed; it was like following a script. He perched himself on the corner table, propped his elbow on the raised knee and cupped his own chin with his hand. Might as well be comfortable while being bored.

"You shouldn't have bothered to come back then."

"Maybe you're right."

"Don't mock me." She still had that dead expression on her face, but her eyes burned with resentment.

"Why not? It's so easy." He looked smugly at his wife.

Jeanne wanted to slap the smirk off of his face, but she didn't consider herself crude enough to do so. His disrespect killed her. She hated him for that, but not as much as she hated herself for loving him despite everything.

"You know, you're not really doing anyone a favor. Pretending to be so composed."

"What does that mean?"

"You act like you're above everyone else. And you act as if you suffer more than anyone else." Jeanne didn't respond. Hao continued. "You resent me so much, yet you try to act so cool. So mature. Does that put you above me? Your self-torture doesn't move me or anyone else. Instead, I find you quite strange."

"I don't expect someone like you to understand."

"See? There you go again. Acting all high and mighty."

Jeanne turned her back to him. "Thanks for the visit. Please leave now."

"A pleasure as always." Hao sauntered off to the door, every step devoid of apology.

She shut her eyes tightly. In a sad tone she asked, "Why won't you change your ways?"

Hao smiled back sympathetically, his voice losing the sarcasm. "I can only be who I am."

It was too warm to sleep, so Soun decided to walk around the yard before retiring. That night, the moon remained hidden behind the clouds. Dimness distorted the size and shape of things in the garden but the moving shadow still caught his attention. Soun was able to make out the image of a tall figure jumping over the rails of the walkway. The figure ran off and descending into the darkness in the distance. "That brat. Must be going on another one of his night excursions. We're so used to it by now; he might as well use the front door."

"What's wrong, Horohoro-kun? Didn't the wedding go well yesterday?"

"It was fortunate that the wedding went well. That damn Pirika….playing with fire!"

"Your sister was…?" Confusion clouded Tamao's eyes.

"She's somehow gotten herself involved with prince Hao."

Tamao's eyes widened in disbelief. "That can't be…She met him somehow? Are you sure?"

"I saw him myself. Yesterday morning." Tamao pressed him no further. He seemed lost in the thought.

Horohoro remembered the vivid glow of dawn's light. Its brightness caused him to squint, an effort to shield his sleepy eyes. If not for his urge to urinate, he would have squeezed in at least another half hour of sleep. Too bad the previous night's drinking binge had taken a toll on his bladder. He had walked bowlegged on the wooden deck, trying his best not to leak on his clothes. That was when he appeared.

The dark flowing hair. The arrogant stance. The cocky look on his too pretty face. And above all, the carefree way he acknowledged Horohoro. It was a wide grin followed by a "Yo." Elsewhere, Horohoro would not have minded. But there Hao was, sliding out of his sister's room in the early dawn.

On the day of her wedding. That bride thief!

Not only did he marry the first girl Horohoro ever loved, but now he was playing around with his sister. He didn't even act like he was caught when he clearly was. Not at all. Instead he just walked by casually as if he owned the place. Horohoro gaped at Hao as he left, obviously forgetting that he needed to relieve himself.

His body didn't forget though. The warm trickling on his legs reminded him that it was too late.

He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Tamao sigh. This brought about his tender self. He stood closer to Tamao and wrapped his arms around her thin waist. She reddened when she felt a peck on her left cheek. His chin chose to rest on her shoulder.

"Sorry to be so gloomy when we haven't seen each other for awhile."

"Please don't apologize. No need to worry about things like that."

He followed her gaze which led to the sky. "What are you looking at? The moon is hiding behind the clouds. There isn't even a star."

"It's still pretty." She shifted in his arms; it was starting to get uncomfortable.

"It's getting late. I should go home now…unless…" He waited for Tamao to follow his lead.

She didn't.

So he tried the blunt approach.

"Unless you want me to stay the night."

"I don't think it's a good idea." By now Tamao had already moved out of his embrace. She faced him with innocence in her eyes.

He was disappointed, but respected her wishes. So he bade farewell and left.

A few minutes later, the sound of twigs snapping alarmed the girl. Her eyes changed from surprise to complacence when the person stepped out from the bushes.

"Hao-sama."

AN: Hmmm…I have all these hits but virtually no review. Flames are fine; I need to know if this is just boring or what...shrugging it off…oh well…continues writing for self……

P.S. I'm desperately trying to walk the fine line of having my own story, yet not making everyone seem too OOC..

July 18, 2005--