Warning: AU, Fantasy, PG-13, Ran/Ken ( ).
Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weiss.
First Born: Sacred Flame
Chapter One: To Be or Not...
12 weeks before the Summer Solstice
Ran lay in bed reading, his room lit by the candle on his night stand and the warm embers in the fireplace. It wasn't warm enough yet to go entirely without a fire, but many of the heavy quilts and blankets had been removed from the bed as spring had begun, and they didn't have too long to wait before summer. Or his twenty-first birthday.
Sighing he closed the book and set it aside, eyeing the clock as he did so.
It had been nearly two hours since he had retired to his bed. Two hours since he and Ken had parted for the night. He wondered whether tonight would be one of the few that he had his bed to himself.
Nearly a month had passed since the battle with Kase. More than a month since Ken had been installed in his own room next door, but more often than not the former wood boy still shared Ran's bed. Ever since the nightmares had started.
They weren't the ones he'd had before, seeing and hearing his family but unable to reach them. Those had stopped after their initial visit to the Nohara Kin'iro. No, these were different, and in Ran's opinion infinitely worse.
As far as Ran could tell from piecing together the bits he could hear Ken was reliving that night. The men coming to his room, being taken from his bed, the screams of his parents. Every night his mind pulled those images from his past and replayed them. Every night the former servant woke up screaming. Or he wouldn't wake at all, but charge from his bed and barricade the door to his room. Quite often he would dash into Ran's room and barricade his door as well.
That's how Ran had finally figured out what was going on. He'd heard the screams and wondered about the nights when Ken had come to his bed shivering like a small frightened child. Unwilling or unable to explain his torment until three weeks ago when Ran had woken to find the former servant dragging an arm chair across the room, and muttering something about blocking the door so the men couldn't get in.
Since that night there had been many others and Ken had begun sleeping over just to avoid them all together. But occasionally he would try to sleep alone. Like tonight. If he was tired enough he could do it.
Ran sighed again.
He found it ironic that now that Ken was settled, happily installed in a position of relative freedom and comfort, that his past came back to haunt him. Ran had to wonder whether it was because he was paired again and now potentially had something to lose.
Shaking his head almost violently the red-headed Lord blew out his candle. His room was left with only the warm glow of the dying embers to light it. He lay for a few moments on his back, staring up at the canopy overhead. It wasn't long before he rolled onto his side to watch the door that connected their rooms.
"Out of habit," he told himself, completely denying any longing he felt.
Nearly a month since their one, brief, chaste kiss. It had not been repeated. It had not been spoken of. Ran wondered if Ken even remembered it. He also wondered what it had meant.
Silently he told himself that it had meant nothing. A simple thank you perhaps. Something sweet and innocent between friends. But deep inside he had to admit to himself that it had sparked something. Deep inside he hoped it was more. And having Ken beside him in bed nearly every night was beginning to be just the slightest bit frustrating.
His thoughts were interrupted when the connecting door flew open and the object of his thoughts rushed in.
The former servant paused just inside the door to take in the room. His nightshirt was plastered to his body by sweat, and his chocolate colored hair flew wildly about his head. Large brown eyes, narrowed with determination, searched the room until they landed on the chair before the dressing table.
Muttering something almost unintelligible the former wood boy latched onto the chair as if it were his lifeline and began dragging it toward the door.
Ran sighed and climbed from bed.
"Ken," he said softly.
The younger man didn't respond and continued to drag the chair.
"Ken," Ran said more forcefully.
This time the brunet stopped and looked at him.
"You're dreaming. Wake up," Ran stated.
"But they're coming. We have to..."
"No," Ran said calmly but with command. "No one's coming. You're dreaming."
"But..."
"Ken," the red-headed Lord said with the tiniest bit of warning in his voice.
The younger man stared at him for a few seconds then blinked. A red blush slowly crept across his cheeks. He ducked his head and shook it.
"S-sorry," he said softly. "I was dreaming again, hunh? Sorry."
"It's alright," Ran said gently. "Put the chair back and come to bed."
"Okay," Ken said still hiding his face.
Ran knew he was embarrassed. They never spoke about the dreams, and acted as if nothing unusual had happened, but they weren't getting better or going away on their own. Ran had to wonder if maybe they should discuss them after all. He watched as Ken dragged the chair back into place before claiming the far side of the bed.
"Ken," he began carefully, intentionally facing the foot of the bed although he was aware of two large brown eyes lighting on him as Ken peeked sideways. "How long have you had these nightmares? A month now?"
There was some shuffling of covers before he received an answer.
"Yeah, about that. They started after Kase appeared in my room. Sorry."
Ran felt his brow furrow. Since Kase appeared...how long was that? More than a month.
"Don't apologize," he said. "I'm not angry, I'm worried."
The red-headed Lord glanced to his left. Ken was laying on his back staring at the fireplace.
"Its been a long time, don't you think? Longer than I knew. Perhaps we should talk about them," Ran suggested tentatively.
Ken sighed and rolled so his back was to his friend.
"They're just dreams," he said softly. "They'll go away eventually. I was apologizing for botherin' you."
"You aren't bothering me," Ran persisted. "You should know by now that I'd do anything in my power to help you."
Ken shifted.
"I know," he said. "I just think they'll go away on their own. There really isn't anything to talk about."
"Don't you want them to stop?" Ran asked.
Another sigh, then, "Yes."
"Well, if talking won't help will you at least think about what might?" Ran asked.
The blankets shifted as Ken shrugged.
"Sure," came the tired reply.
"Thank you. Get some sleep," Ran said.
"Okay. 'Night, Ran."
"Good night, Ken."
Ran knew that when he awoke the former servant would be gone and once again the topic would be avoided and ignored.
XXXXXXXXXX
Ken awoke early the next morning to what had become his favorite sight. Ran sound asleep.
The fire-haired Lord slept on his back, Ken had discovered, with his hands resting on his pillow on either side of his head, his fingers gently curled. He looked like he was surrendering and Ken thought he looked cute and...enticing. He'd never tell Ran that, or that it had been several weeks since the sight had first warmed his heart.
He also wouldn't tell the Lord that he found himself waking up either pressed close to Ran's side, or often using his chest as a pillow. The former servant found himself quite fond of hearing the steady rhythm of Ran's heart next to his ear. The firmness of the Lord's chest didn't bother Ken at all, and something about the muskiness of his scent soothed the former wood boy.
Whatever his nightmares were about their desperate drive was ended whenever he moved into the Lord's bed, and that was enough of a fix for Ken's mind. Further analysis seemed unnecessary to him. That and he couldn't really recall them. Not in any great detail. How could they discuss what he couldn't remember?
Besides, he liked sleeping with Ran. He admitted that after a few weeks in his own room he was beginning to feel lonely. After all he and Tris had always slept together, one sneaking into the other's room, and he'd shared a room with eight other servants at the Thirteenth House. But asking Ran if he could sleep with him because he missed him and liked sleeping with him was...too embarrassing. He was a grown man...a grown man whose favorite sight was that of another grown man peacefully lost in sleep.
Ken enjoyed the view for a few more minutes then quietly rose and walked back into his own room to wash and dress for the day.
On Ran's suggestion he'd started taking lessons in reading and writing in the mornings while Ran attended meetings with the King, his cabinet, the princes, representatives from every House, and the palace advisors. Eventually, when his education had gone as far as it could, he'd also attend those meetings, but for now he and Ran suffered through daily separation. Usually the meetings were either finished by lunch or postponed for it, and they could come together again, often with great relief. Occasionally Ran would miss lunch and Ken would have to wait until their afternoon practices to see him again. These enforced separations weren't easy on either of them, but a necessary evil that they hoped would make them stronger. Or at least make him better informed and more able to handle long meetings.
Ken sighed. Since he'd started taking lessons he'd started eating a quick breakfast by himself in the private royal diningroom. It made more sense to him to get an early start and Ran, like the other royals, seemed to like sleeping late. Something Ken couldn't quite bring himself to do. After fourteen years of rising early sleeping late was beyond him. So, he'd rise, wash, dress, eat and head out toward the classroom several floors below on the other side of the palace.
The route he'd adopted led him along one of the many guest floors. Mareo Nobu had been staying there until a week before and they'd often met and Ken would enjoy a second breakfast with his father's former partner. While he'd had the chance Ken had spent as much time as he could with the man gleaning any and all information he could about his parents, and his father's childhood. Hearing such tales had made long buried or forgotten memories become clear once again. It had been very pleasant to spend time with Mareo and Ken found that he missed the man since he'd returned to his home.
Further along the hallway a servant appeared in a doorway and placed a large tray on a table resting just outside the door. After making sure it was secure he disappeared back inside the room. As he approached Ken could see it was the leftovers of someone's breakfast. The servant's master or mistress had decided to eat in and was now probably preparing for the day.
He strolled closer to peer at the tray's contents.
Several crusts from toasted bread, an empty eggshell, orange rind, and an empty glass of juice.
Glancing around quickly Ken helped himself to the crusts and hurried along his way munching happily.
"Ken?"
He looked up at the sound of his name, recognizing the voice instantly. Omi was coming down the hall smiling cheerily at him.
Ken returned the smile even as he tucked the remaining crust into his coat pocket.
"Hey, Omi," he said warmly around the bread in his mouth.
"Still eating?" the young seer asked chuckling as they came face to face in the center of the hall.
"Uh...yeah...heh," he said as he felt his face heat up in a blush.
"Oh. I was hoping to catch you here and invite you to eat with me, but oh well," Omi shrugged.
Ken's eyes widened.
"Really?" he asked smiling.
"Yeah. I know you're used to eating with Mareo, but since he's left I was hoping you'd maybe start eating with me instead," Omi said still smiling. "Heh, since Yohji eats with his family in the mornings I usually end up eating alone."
Ken smiled softly at his friend. He wasn't quite sure what their relationship was, but at times it seemed as if there was more than friendship between the seer and the tall, lanky Prince. And although the Prince continued his attentions to the young man he hadn't made him an open invitation to dine with the royals, or quit his more questionable nightly behaviors. But none of that seemed to really bother Omi.
"Sure," Ken said, smiling broadly. "I've gotten used to eating two breakfasts, and this way I won't steal food off of the trays."
"Steal food?" Omi asked. "What trays?"
Ken smiled sheepishly and pulled the remaining crust of bread from his pocket to brandish before his friend.
Omi studied the bread and then noticed the tray beside the doorway several feet back down the hall. His eyes widened and he stared up at Ken incredulously.
"W-why would you do that?" he asked.
Ken shrugged.
"Habit. Everyone used to do it at the other House," he said. "Anyway, I won't do it if I eat with you every morning."
"You shouldn't have to use me as an excuse. Why don't you just eat more before leaving the apartment?" Omi asked as they fell into step and began walking down the hall.
"I know, I know. Don't start. And don't tell Ran! He hates it when I do that," Ken muttered.
"I can see why. Alright, I won't tell him...this time. But if I catch you again I'm going straight to his room and waking him if I have to," Omi threatened. "That really is just too disgusting, Ken."
Ken sighed and tossed the remaining crust onto another tray as they strolled past.
"Sorry. I won't do it again...if I can help it," he said. "So, do you have time for breakfast this morning?"
"Actually, today I had some sent to my room. Will you join me?" Omi asked smiling once again.
"Lead on, Omi! I'm starving!"
Shaking his head in amusement the seer led his friend down the hallway to his guest suite.
XXXXXXXXXX
Ran sat and poked dejectedly at his food.
"If you weren't going to eat or talk then why did you ask me to breakfast?" Aya asked from across the table.
They were seated at the small table in his personal library where he'd ordered breakfast for the two of them. Ken, as usual, was gone by the time Ran woke up. They wouldn't see each other until lunch or after, and as usual the thought utterly depressed him.
"So, Ken had another nightmare last night."
Ran snapped out of his thoughts and stared at his sister.
"He did, didn't he? I thought so," she said, nodding at his surprised expression.
"How did you know?" Ran asked.
"I can feel him. Even when you aren't sending," Aya answered. "He used to be nothing more than a shadow beside you when you sent your thoughts to me, but since the second time you shared your magic with him I've been able to feel him independently from you. Its been getting steadily stronger these last few weeks. I'm afraid he'll have to be taught to shield himself."
Ran was speechless. He'd never suspected that the connection he shared with Aya could be shared by Ken as well. Not directly.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" he asked still stunned.
"Ran, this is the first time I've had alone with you since before Kase attacked the palace," Aya stated a bit crossly. After a moment she sighed and met his eyes which had darkened in guilt. "I'm sorry, Niisan. I should've said something sooner. Forgive me."
Ran nodded.
"His desperation wakes me," she continued calmly.
"I believe he's dreaming about the night his family was killed. He comes bursting into my room and tries to barricade the door against intruders," Ran sighed. "But he won't talk to me about it."
"Are you sure that's what he dreams?" Aya asked carefully.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, that doesn't fit what I feel from him," she explained.
"What do you feel?" Ran asked leaning forward a bit.
Aya caught the motion and smiled at her plate before answering.
"I feel a desperate need and great anxiety. As though there is something he has to do. And I feel danger," she replied, then looked up into his eyes. "Is he sleeping with you again?"
Ran felt his eyes widen and his cheeks heat up. He looked away.
Aya smiled.
"I thought so," she said.
"How'd you know that?" he demanded, still unable to meet her eyes.
She giggled.
"His desperatation fades quickly. When he's with you he's...calm," she answered.
Ran glanced at her, wondering about the pause in her reply, then sighed. His shoulders felt heavy as he met his sister's eyes again.
"He won't tell me about them. He won't talk about them at all. I had hoped that once his past was known and Kase dealt with that Ken's life would finally settle down," the stoic Lord complained.
"I know, Niisan," Aya said smiling softly at her distraught brother. "It will eventually, I'm sure. But you have to be patient. Achieving revenge, being paired to you, moving here...they were all big changes. It may be that as life calms down for Ken the weight of all he's experienced will come back to haunt him simply because there's nothing to distract him from it. Reading, writing, and magic lessons are hardly earth shattering. And I'm sure he doesn't sleep as heavily as he did when he carried loads of wood all day."
Ran could only blink at his sister before nodding in agreement. What Aya said made perfect sense. But if that was the case then what could he do about it?
"So, how often does he sleep with you?" Aya asked as she raised her tea cup and daintily took a sip.
"Aya," Ran said with more than a note of warning.
"What? I'm simply curious," she said trying to hide a smirk.
Ran sighed and rolled his eyes.
"After all, provided his nightmares don't subside what's KenKen going to do when summer comes and you start sleeping in the buff?" she asked innocently as he choked on his tea.
XXXXXXXXXX
"So what are you researching now?" Yohji asked as he carried the pile of books Omi had handed him over to the seer's favorite table.
"I'm still researching twins," the young man answered, setting down the pile of books he was carrying. He pulled a few scrolls out from under his arm and added them to the pile. "I haven't been able to find out much. Only that they seem to be prevalent in certain bloodlines, and that apart from Ken and Kase there haven't been twins as First Born since before the Great War. So, as you can imagine most of that information is kind of sketchy."
"Why are you so interested?" Yohji asked, leaning on the books he'd just set down.
"Well, I don't believe that Mareo and Makoto, Ken's father, were correct in their assumption that the Seat magic chooses one and kills the other. I can't find any other incident like that to support it. In fact, there are countless stories and legends about twins being born specifically to double the magic so that one House could over power another. I think in the case of the Thirteenth House it was Kase's possession of the elder infant that prompted the Seat to act."
"Makes sense," Yohji said thoughtfully. "If the Seat magic were to always choose one over the other then having twins wouldn't be against the law. As awful as that would be the problem would take care of itself."
"Yes, exactly," Omi nodded, taking his seat. "I'm more interested in why the Seat waited for Ken to be born before it acted against Kase."
"What do you mean?" Yohji asked.
"Kase was alive for several minutes before Ken was actually born," Omi explained. "The Seat waited before possessing the midwife."
"Whoaw. Wait a minute," Yohji said. "What do you mean it waited? How do you know that?"
"I asked Mareo Nobu," Omi said. "I asked him how much time there was between births. He said seven, maybe even as long as ten minutes. More than enough time for the Seat to have acted, but it didn't. It waited."
"It waited," Yohji repeated. "What for?"
"Presumably for Ken to be born," Omi said. "Which means..."
"The Seat wanted twins. It wanted the magic to be doubled," Yohji frowned. "But why?"
"And that's my question," Omi nodded. "One's first thought would be that it wanted the power for itself, but it let Ken go and allowed Lord Jiro to Ascend."
"Interesting," Yohji muttered. "Let me know what you find out."
"Don't I always?" Omi asked. "I'll tell you when you come to bother me later."
Yohji smiled and reached out to ruffle Omi's hair.
"If I don't catch sight of you every few hours I go into withdrawal," he smirked.
"Hey," the seer squawked, shoving the Prince's hand away. "Just go already, will ya?"
"Okay," Yohji chuckled. "Have a good time. I'll be back to get you for lunch."
Omi watched the lanky Prince saunter off between shelves before huffing into his bangs, then he opened the first book.
XXXXXXXXXX
Ran entered the office behind the throne room, the room where most of the kingdom's daily work was done, just in time to hear the tale-end of what Omi was up to in the library. He cringed, not sure he wanted to know anything more about twins. Without a word he made his way to the table and slid silently into his empty seat.
The room was awash with sunlight from the view it held of the plains. It was quite a large office. Its central table could hold more than thirty people along its length, and at one end stood the King's massive desk which was always covered with maps and papers. The King was sitting there shuffling through things. Most of his advisors and the representatives, as well as Keiji and Yohji sat at the table, and a plethora of assistants moved about the room exchanging papers and handing more out to those seated at the table.
"Hmmm, it is an interesting question," King Renjiro muttered in response to what Yohji had just said. "I want to know what the seer finds out."
"Yes, father," Yohji nodded.
"How is young Master Hidaka fairing in magical studies? Lord Fujimiya?" the King called down the table to him.
"Very well, your Majesty. He's improved greatly since the episode with Kase. The professors have begun teaching him the more difficult spells that require a combination of creative and destructive magics, spells that normally require two magic users," Ran stated without a hint of the pride that he felt.
"And his weapons training?" King Renjiro pressed.
"He prefers hand to hand fighting, and as you know has been working with Prince Michio on that. I instruct him on sword play at which he is fair," Ran answered blandly.
"Fair? Speak plainly, my Lord."
"If I attack him he can defend himself, but so far he hasn't been able to break through my defenses. He has the skill, he just needs more practice."
"Very well," the King nodded.
Ran glanced across the table at the two Princes who sat silently watching him. While the King had an assistant fetch a report he wanted the red-headed Lord arched a questioning eyebrow at them. Yohji shrugged and Keiji frowned.
"I've received another letter from the Sisterhood of the Sacred Flame. The fourth in as many months and I feel this matter needs to be looked into," the King stated, ending the silent exchange at the table.
"Who?" an elderly advisor asked from the far end of the table.
"Those fire worshiping nuns in the north," the King answered loudly.
"Actually, father, they worship magic which takes the form of fire," Yohji interjected.
"I am well aware of that," bit out his majesty irritably. "Its that very point which concerns them. Its dying. Its been dying for more than fifty years now, but it seems that lately its taken a turn for the worse and won't last much longer. Several years ago...twelve, I believe...I sent our most learned professors up there to see what could be done, but they could not solve the mystery or bring the flame back to health. What they could determine was that the magic was an old, deep form of magic. A magic with connections to the very core of the world."
"Although the Temple is beyond our boarders, our most ancient and sacred texts tell us we must protect them at all costs. Some sort of pact the clans made when they settled the Seats. A pact which still stands. Which brings me to my point, I want you, Keiji, to travel to the shrine in the north," the King stated. "Yohji, Lord Fujimiya, and Master Hidaka will accompany you as escorts."
Ran, who'd been slouching, shot up straight in his seat. The King smiled.
"Not immediately, Lord Fujimiya," he chuckled. "After the Solstice you are planning a tour, are you not?" the King asked Keiji.
"Indeed, father," the crown Prince nodded. "The one Ran announced in his travels last fall. We intend to tour the boarder Houses. But that's more than twelve weeks away."
"I do not think the need is so dire that it can't wait twelve weeks, its been more than fifty years already, and Master Hidaka is not yet ready. Lord Fujimiya, you will get him ready. Before heading on the tour you will head north and see what can be done, and if possible do it," the King commanded.
"And what exactly do you expect me to be able to do?" Keiji asked.
"I'm not sure, but you are the heir to the First Seat, and apart from me the most powerful magic user in the realm. There may well be something that you are capable of doing. Discover it and do it. The nuns have requested our help and we're sworn to give it. That is what I ask of you," King Renjiro said. "Consider this your first assignment, Lord Fujimiya. It is time Master Hidaka learns what is expected of him."
"Hn," Ran snorted and sat back in his seat again.
"Good. Now there is another matter concerning you that has come to my attention," the King said with a small smile.
Ran frowned. He didn't like the glint in the King's eye.
"A few days ago I received this letter," his Majesty said waving a document one of his assistants had just handed to him. "It contains a request I found most intriguing and one I felt compelled to answer. Tell me, Ran my lad, do you recall Lade Sakura Tomoe?"
The red-headed Lord stiffened in his seat once again.
"Heh-heh-heh, I can see that you do," the King chuckled. "She has been recently widowed it seems, and has written requesting that her withdrawn suit for marriage be reconsidered, and your courtship be resumed."
XXXXXXXXXX
Author's Note: Eh-heh-heh-heh.
