Warning: AU, Fantasy, PG-13, Ran/Ken. :D

Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weiss.

First Born: Sacred Flame

Chapter Three: Preparations and Distractions

The next morning Ken once again made his way down to the guest floor, this time without eating breakfast first. He'd slept later than usual and woken Ran when he'd gotten up. They'd had a chance to talk again with the red-headed Lord more awake than he'd been the night before. He'd impressed upon Ken the importance of obeying the King's commands regardless of what he thought of them, and had made Ken promise that he would try and be polite to Lady Tomoe.

Frowning at the memory Ken walked steadily down the hall trying to ignore his growling stomach and the trays of left-overs outside some of the doors. Just as he was about to give into the urge to steal food Omi exited his room. The young seer looked as though he hadn't slept well and when he saw Ken his face flooded with relief.

"Good morning," Omi said trying to smile brightly.

"Mornin'," Ken replied nodding. "You okay?"

"Yes."

Ken stopped walking as he came along side the seer and looked him over. Omi blinked at him.

"You look tired," the former servant commented.

"Oh, well, I was up late," Omi said as they began walking together. "I was in the library doing research."

"Hunh," Ken said noncommitally.

"You haven't eaten have you?" Omi asked.

"Nope. I was waitin' for you," Ken smiled.

"The dining room's just over there," Omi said indicating an alcove with several sets of double doors.

"Do they have dining rooms on every floor?" Ken wondered aloud.

"Practically," Omi answered. "Every two floors of suites has one large dining room and at least one public drawing room."

Ken just shook his head and made for the alcove with the seer close beside him.

As they entered the first thing that struck him was the lay out of the room. It more closely resembled the private dining room in the Thirteenth House where he'd had tea with his aunt. It had one longish table on one side and many smaller tables on the other. There were the customary sideboards and servants but the arrangement seemed to suggest self-service.

Omi touched his arm to get his attention and motioned him over to the nearest sideboard.

"What are the gentlemen's preferences?" the servant asked.

"Ken?" Omi prompted.

"Um...eggs, fruit, and soup?" Ken said.

"And I'll have oatmeal and tea," Omi smiled.

"Very good," the servant nodded. "Please be seated."

Omi led Ken to an empty table where moments later they were served.

"This is different," Ken commented.

"I think it actually works better this way," Omi said. "The food arrives hot."

After tasting his eggs Ken had to agree.

As they ate his eyes scanned the room. There were quite a few people seated at tables. Most were eating in small groups of two or three, but there were some that sat alone with either a book or some papers to occupy them. One of them happened to glance up and catch sight of Omi, and frowned.

Ken blinked in surprise and studied the man. He appeared to be in his middle years, with a broad face and body which spoke of possible height if he were to stand. His hair was dark except for his wildly fanned out sideburns which were white. The dark brocade of his coat and the black robe over it indicated the man was a diplomat, possibly an ambassador, but Ken wasn't familiar enough with any of them to have an idea of who he might be or where he came from.

"Hey, Omi," Ken said still watching the frowning diplomat. "See that guy over there?"

The young seer looked up from his oatmeal and glanced around, following Ken's line of sight. When his eyes met those of the diplomat he gave a start and quickly ducked his head to stare into his breakfast again. The other man's frown became a scowl. He gathered up his papers and marched from the room.

"Do you know him?" Ken asked staring after the man.

"We've met," Omi muttered.

Ken looked at him questioningly.

"Who is he?" Ken asked, watching Omi put his spoon down and push his bowl away.

"His name is Reiji Takatori. He's an ambassador here," Omi answered. "From the nation that shares our southern boarder."

"Oh," Ken said when after a few minutes the seer didn't say anything else. The former wood boy made a mental note to ask Ran about him later.

They sat silently for a few minutes more. Ken eating and Omi pouting.

"So, how does Ran feel about this courtship? Is he okay with it?" Omi asked suddenly.

Ken's fork hit the plate so hard it bounced out of his grasp and popped up over their heads falling to the floor behind them. Scowling fiercely Ken pushed the rest of his breakfast away and glared sideways at Omi.

The seer gulped.

"Never mind," he said with a tentative smile.

XXXXXXXXXX

Before the morning meeting with their father Yohji pulled Keiji aside and thrust a small folded piece of paper into his hand.

"Omi's had a vision," the tall, lanky Prince informed his older brother.

Keiji looked suitably intrigued and began unfolding the paper.

"This is the first one since his collapse last month?" the crown Prince asked and Yohji nodded. "I hope it didn't cause him any undue strain."

Yohji smirked.

"I don't believe so," he answered. "He had it last night and had this description sent to my room. Quite interrupted me."

Keiji, who'd started reading the note, paused and rolled his eyes then continued reading. Not half way through his eyebrows shot up to his hair line.

Yohji smiled.

"Yeah, that was my reaction," he chuckled.

When Keiji was done he refolded the note and handed it back to his brother.

"Do you think this relates to our trip up north?" the crown Prince asked.

"I don't know what else it could be," Yohji said, suddenly serious. "The description of the room and the flame match with those of the professors father sent up there before. I checked."

"Hmmm," Keiji nodded.

"As to the rest it may not be what we think," Yohji continued. "But given what Aya's been saying lately..."

"Yes, I agree," Keiji said. After a moment of thought he continued, "Keep this quiet for now. I realize that Omi must log all visions with the Master Seer but ask them both not to speak of it. I want to see what may develop without our interference."

"Already done," Yohji smirked.

Keiji smiled then nodded to himself.

"And have Omi quietly gather information on the Sisterhood of the Sacred Flame. I would like his input on that as well," Keiji said. "I don't want to get up there and discover that it's hungry for Ran and Ken. I may need to feed the flame, but not with our family and friends."

Yohji bowed and the two moved apart and took their seats for the morning meeting.

XXXXXXXXXX

Omi sat listlessly in the library and stared unseeing at the book open on the table before him. He wasn't having a vision, but he was having a mope. He'd hoped that Ambassador Takatori wouldn't mind his being at the First House. He hadn't expected to be welcomed with open arms, but he'd been optimistic about a reconciliation of some kind. Obviously he'd been mistaken.

He was just glad Ken had given up asking questions. Of course his friend had his own problems to think on now.

Perhaps, Omi thought, he'd be able to avoid seeing the Ambassador again or running into him. So far they hadn't been moving in the same social circles. Although, upon further reflection Omi gathered that was probably another thorn in the Ambassador's side, considering he'd been welcomed into the royal circle itself.

Sighing heavily the young seer scanned the page before him blankly then turned it.

"A-hem."

Omi jumped a mile and spun to face the messenger standing directly behind him.

"I am sorry, Sir," the servant bowed. "I was asked to get this to you."

Omi blinked at the folded piece of paper in the young man's hand then reached out and tentatively took it. Here we go, he thought, imagining the demands the Ambassador would make.

The messenger bowed and departed and Omi opened the note, and laughed with relief. It was from Yohji. The Prince wanted him to look into something. Brow furrowing in thought the young man allowed the Prince's request to completely distract him from his worries.

XXXXXXXXXX

That afternoon found Ran and Ken at their magic lesson. Lunch had been full of underlying tensions between Ken and the King, so Ran had reversed the order of their lessons so they had weapons practice first. And he used it as a means for Ken to vent some of his frustrations much as Ran himself had done the previous day. It worked amazingly well. Too well to Ran's mind as it became apparent that the coming courtship was so distracting that Ken's skill level dropped to the point where Ran had no trouble defending himself while easily putting the former servant through the ringer.

Afterwards at their magic lesson Ken was lethargic and having trouble concentrating. Although Ran really had to wonder how much of that was fatigue and how much was the aforementioned distraction rearing its ugly head again. It didn't really matter when after an hour their professor sighed in annoyance.

"Master Hidaka, please pay attention," Professor Stemp repeated.

"Sorry. I'm tired," Ken mumbled, propping his head up with an arm on the table top.

"So am I," the elder man stated.

"Professor Stemp, perhaps we should leave this lesson here," Ran suggested. He glanced sideways at Ken who was leaning heavily on his arm. "We did just come from a rather strenuous weapons practice."

"Strenuous for some," Ken muttered.

Ran ignored him.

"Yes, my Lord, you maybe right," the professor agreed. "After your success yesterday I was hoping for more of the same today, but I can see that's not going to be the case."

"I'd be able ta do it if Ran hadn't made me run all over the place," the former wood boy pouted.

The professor looked toward the ceiling as if he were calling on the gods for patience and rose from the table.

"Very well. We'll leave off until tomorrow, but I expect great things from you, and no excuses," he said sternly. "Gentlemen, good day to you."

"Good day, Professor Stemp. Thank you," Ran replied.

"See ya," Ken waved, still leaning on the table. "How come you're not tired like yesterday? Isn't attacking a moving target harder than slaughtering dummies?" he asked Ran once their teacher had left.

Ran snorted.

"Your attacks were sloppy and quite easy to repel with minimal effort," Ran said with disdain. "That display was absolutely dreadful and I can't believe how badly you performed. I'm glad no one was watching. They'd never let you out of the Palace."

"Hey!" Ken cried with indignation, sitting up and glaring at his partner.

"Heh. So you do have some energy left after all," Ran said with a smirk.

Ken pouted and resumed leaning.

"You can't allow anything to distract you to the point that you can't fight," Ran said softly.

"You know I don't like using a sword," Ken stated turning to face the wall.

"And yet you must learn it," Ran responded. "Sooner rather than later."

"Are you nervous about the assignment?" Ken asked suddenly, turning back to the red-headed Lord.

"Not really," Ran answered. "Not about your skill as a warrior at any rate, despite today's practice. I'm more concerned with the King's expectations of Keiji. He seems to think he can do something to revive the flame, but he can't give him any idea what. I'm not sure he even knows. I'm afraid he's grasping at straws. We may be heading north as nothing more than witnesses to the end of an age old promise."

"If that's the case why not send us there now? We're not doing anything important here," Ken said.

"Except waiting for Lady Tomoe to arrive," Ran muttered.

"Like I said, nuthin important."

Ran glanced at Ken but the former servant's face was studiously blank, and the fire-haired Lord had to smirk. Perhaps Ken was learning more than sword play from him.

"Anyway, I'm sure he'll figure it out once we get there," Ken said stretching and tucking his hands behind his head. "At least it'll give us the chance to get out of here."

"You don't like it here?" Ran asked, surprised and a little worried.

"I don't like bein' under his Majesty's thumb," the former servant stated with a hint of challenge. "At the Thirteenth House I could go where I wanted and do what I wanted provided I kept all the wood bins full. Here I have to be a certain place at a certain time and do a certain thing, and he's sitting there watching and judging everything I do. He says jump and we're all expected to jump."

Ran sighed. It was a defeated sound.

"I'm sorry you feel that way," he said looking at the table top. "I'm not any happier with current events than you are, but there is no defying the King."

"So you keep sayin'."

The two sat side by side for a moment, both staring at the wooden surface before them.

"Okay, so tell me what she's like," Ken said at last, turning to face Ran once more.

"Who?" Ran asked, glancing at him.

"Lady Tomoe, who else?"

"Oh. Well, the last time she was here she was very...perky," Ran said with a hint of distaste.

"Perky?" Ken asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Perky," Ran repeated.

"So what does she look like?" Ken asked without any real interest.

Ran thought a moment.

"She looks a bit like Aya," he finally answered.

"Like Aya? What do mean? They have the same hair color?"

"No, Lady Tomoe had brown hair as I recall. I mean her face," Ran answered. "They sort of look alike. A bit."

Ken eyed him.

"Your future wife looks like your sister?"

"Possible future wife...and yes. A bit."

"That's weird," Ken said.

XXXXXXXXXX

"I can't imagine what she's thinking," Aya cried, slapping her pile of papers onto the Queen's desk.

She, Chiyo, and the Queen were gathered in the elegant study to make preparations for the Lady's imminent arrival, and had been discussing that very topic when Aya had suddenly begun pacing in agitation.

"Why! Why return here asking for Ran!" she continued.

"Where shall we install her?" the Queen asked her daughter.

"And Ran! Why is he going along with this! Must he always be the dutiful son!" Aya exclaimed.

"The White suite on the ambassador's floor is empty, Ma-ma," Chiyo replied, exchanging one sheet of notes for another.

"Excellent choice," the Queen nodded.

"And why now of all times? Don't I have enough to deal with!" Aya cried, still stationed beside the desk, still clutching the much abused pile of papers.

The Queen and Chiyo glanced at her as Aya seemed to deflate.

"I mean, doesn't Ran?" she pouted and released her crumpled papers. "I'm sorry," she said very softly.

"My dear, please sit down," the Queen said with a kind smile. She indicated the chair beside Chiyo and Aya silently sat down in it.

The young woman looked as though she was holding in tears and the Queen looked worriedly to her eldest daughter.

"Didn't Keiji tell you what father said, Aya?" Chiyo asked, carefully studying her friend's face.

"Yes. I'm just...a little tired. That's all," she answered staring resolutely into her lap. The effort it was taking to block out Ken coupled with the new stress of Ran's courtship were proving almost too much for her. "I guess I'm not any further along in my adjustment than I was yesterday."

"How could you be?" the Queen cried. "This business has thrown us all. There has been far too much of an uproar for anyone to adjust to anything."

The sullen young woman looked up and nodded.

"Aya, a lot has happened in recent weeks. Why just yesterday alone has made my head spin," her Majesty said gently. "But I'm sure everything will work out for the best. The King loves both you and Ran as he loves his own. He would never cause either of you harm."

Aya nodded again.

"Why, in a few weeks we'll be celebrating the Solstice and all this will be nothing but a memory," the Queen smiled. "And then, of course, comes Ran's birthday. Why it was only the other evening the King spoke to me about it. He's very excited."

Chiyo reached out and rested her hand on her friend's arm.

"Aya?" she asked softly.

"Yes," the younger woman said squaring her shoulders and sitting up straight in her chair. "You're right. Everything will work out as it is meant to, and in a few weeks we'll be celebrating. Thank you. I'll be fine now."

Chiyo withdrew her hand. They faced the Queen who smiled at them and returned to their plans.

Aya sighed quietly and retrieving her crumpled papers began to study them. She was still upset and worried, but she vowed to tuck her anxiety away. She would be strong and not give in to her selfish wants again. She would welcome Lady Sakura Tomoe with open arms as was right and proper. And she would be happy as yet another person came between her and her brother.

XXXXXXXXXX

Omi stared at the one rather thin volume the librarian was holding out to him.

"Is this all?" he asked incredulously.

"This is the only text solely devoted to the Sacred Flame, yes. There are many brief and oblique references to it in most religious works, but as they contain no details I thought you'd prefer this," the thin man answered.

"Yes, I'm familiar with those," Omi said, sighing. "Alright. I guess I'll read this then. Thank you."

The librarian bowed and began to move away. After a few steps though he glanced back at the youth. A moment of indecision later and he was once again standing before Omi's table.

"Is there something else?" the seer asked.

"About this and your other research," the librarian said. "There are...there's another room. You'd need special permission from the King, but there's a room that may have something more for you."

"Another library?" Omi asked, eyes wide.

"A special collection."

"Thank you. I'll ask the King about it," the young seer nodded.

The librarian bowed once again and departed. Omi watched him go before opening the one volume on the Sacred Flame and turning to the first page.

XXXXXXXXXX

Author's Note: Hee-hee-hee! Secret library! Full of secrets! ;D