Warning: Fantasy, PG-13, Ran/Ken. ;P

Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takahito Koyasu and Project Weiss.

First Born: Sacred Flame

Chapter Four: Wool Gathering

Two days later Ran, Ken, Aya and Keiji found themselves dressed in heavy woolen coats standing just inside the entrance to the stables. Behind them a throng of servants stood ready with large umbrellas.

It had been raining steadily for two days which had cleared off the remainder of the snow, but it had created a heavy mist which hung low over the yards and clung to everything, making their clothes feel damp and chilled.

The weather matched the somber mood of the welcome party, and did nothing to lessen the tension building in the air. Ran and Ken looked grim. The later angrily kicking at the loose gravel of the courtyard. Keiji and Aya weren't much better. Both stood wearily by and watched as Ran leaned into his companion's side and spoke tersely in his ear.

"Remember your promise," Ran said sternly but softly.

"I will," Ken growled.

"Say it," Ran commanded.

"I promise to be nice and not to resort to violence of any kind," Ken spat, glaring hard at the ground.

"Very well," Ran nodded, turning his eyes skyward once more.

Ken muttered something under his breath but the red-headed Lord ignored it. Aya and Keiji exchanged worried glances.

A minute later the quiet of the morning was disturbed by the ringing of the tower bell, signaling the arrival of Lady Sakura Tomoe's carriage. The tension doubled and the shifting of garments could be heard as several of the servants tightened their buckles and straightened their coats.

"There she is," the watchman called from his position on the ramparts above them.

Curving gracefully in from the ocean was a shiny black coach which appeared almost new and was followed closely by a second, slightly smaller model. Both were pulled by fine teams of horses. Those pulling the coach matched its uninterrupted blackness, but the two behind were a pleasant dappled gray. Both vehicles came in low and landed smoothly on the gravel yard, coming to a halt about twenty paces from the welcoming party.

Keiji nodded to a groom and several servants stepped out of the cover of the stables and opened their wide umbrellas, while several more dashed to the door of the carriage and did likewise. The crown Prince led the party out under the waiting cover and together they moved toward the coach. Finally coming to a halt when the edges of the wide umbrellas being held over them bumped those over the carriage door.

Keiji nodded again and the groomsman stepped to the door, opened it, and lowered the steps. The rustle of long skirts came from within the darkened interior and there was some movement. Then a delicate, pale hand reached out of the darkness. The groomsman caught it and guided the Lady from the coach.

She was so wrapped in black taffeta and lace it was at first impossible to distinguish her features. As she stepped from the dark inside of the coach to the dim daylight under the umbrellas the only thing that seemed certain was that she was about Aya's height. Every other part of her was completely covered, including her hair by a large black hat swathed in black tulle.

"Lady Tomoe?" Keiji asked. He sounded uncertain.

The woman grabbed a fistful of the tulle and yanked, pulling it free of the hat brim and threw it back behind one shoulder. A pale and delicate face peered out at them with large, serious brown eyes.

The entire party seemed to draw breath at once and Ken's mouth actually fell open. Before them, wrapped in black, was a pale, elegant copy of Ran's sister Aya.

"Lady Tomoe, welcome back to the First House," Keiji said formally bowing low.

The Lady curtsied in return.

"Your Highness, I thank you," she said, her voice soft and strangely formal. "It's a pleasure to be back."

"You remember Lord and Lady Fujimiya," Keiji said indicating the two.

"My Lord," she said curtsying as Ran bowed. "Lady Fujimiya."

"Please, call me Aya," she said smiling tightly.

The Lady bowed her head in a nod.

"And you must call me Sakura."

"And this is Master Hidaka, formerly of the Thirteenth House," Keiji said motioning to Ken.

The former servant closed his mouth with an audible snap and bowed as the Lady curtsied.

"My Lady, perhaps we should continue the pleasantries indoors," the crown Prince suggested.

"Yes," she said with a curt nod.

"My Lady, if you please," Ran said stiffly, offering her his arm.

She nodded again and accepted it. They started moving toward the stables with Keiji in the lead, and Aya on Ken's arm following.

"Have you had much rain, my Lord?" Lady Tomoe asked as they crossed the yard under the protection of the large umbrellas.

"Yes," Ran answered quietly.

"It has been raining for several days now, Sakura," Aya spoke up, "but we hope it will clear off soon."

"The Fourth House has had an unusually dry spring thus far," Lady Tomoe replied politely. "Perhaps this rain shall travel down the coast. I dare say the farmers will be glad if it would."

"Indeed," Aya agreed.

Ken huffed out what sounded like an exasperated sigh and everyone lapsed into silence as they entered the stables and moved toward the long hall that would take them inside.

"Forgive me, Aya, but I hadn't heard of your engagement," Lady Tomoe said once they'd gained the relative quiet of the hall. "Please allow me to express my warmest congratulations to you and to Master Hidaka."

Everyone stopped walking at once and stared at the new arrival in shock. Lady Tomoe, pulled to a stop due to her hold on Ran's arm, turned to face them curiously.

"Engaged?" Aya stammered.

"We're not engaged," Ken blurted indignantly and Lady Tomoe blinked in surprise, coloring slightly.

Aya cleared her throat delicately and attempted a small smile.

"No, indeed. We are not," she said nodding slightly toward Ken in an effort to shut him up.

He grit his teeth and faced the wall.

"Do forgive me," Lady Tomoe said. "I assumed since Master Hidaka accompanied you to greet me that he meant something to the royal house hold. I do apologize."

Ran's already stiff posture straightened further and Ken made an angry sound at the back of his throat, but when his head snapped around it was Aya he stared at, his mouth hanging open as if he would speak. Ran's sister's grip on his arm had tightened but her eyes were on Lady Tomoe.

"Ken here is very important to us, Sakura," she said softly. "He is paired to Ran."

"Paired?" Lady Tomoe said, blinking. She looked quite taken aback and glanced quickly up to Ran who nodded tightly. "Please forgive me, Master Hidaka, Lord Fujimiya. I meant no offense," she said curtsying again.

"Do not distress yourself, my Lady," Prince Keiji spoke suddenly. "The fault was ours'. We assumed you knew."

"As I might have, had I been staying at the Fourth House itself," she said, "but since my husband's death I have lived in a villa some short distance away, and have not heard any of the latest news. Again, I am sorry," she said to Ken and extended her hand.

He eyed it suspiciously before taking it and giving it a half hearted shake, then Lady Tomoe turned and they all resumed walking. The silence, quite a bit more tense than it had been, remained until they reached the thrown room where Ran presented the Lady to the King and Queen. They received her quite cordially and invited her to dine with them in the evening and to tea, which was instantly ordered, and everyone adjourned to a small drawing room with a view out over the plains.

It was a room Ken had never seen before. Tucked discreetly in between the King's large office and another meeting room, it served as a quiet room for private contemplation or, in the present case, small intimate gatherings with important visitors.

A small, round table had been placed before the windows and was already set for tea with the appropriate number of chairs around it. The Queen directed the seating and managed, apart from the King and Ran who sat side by side, to arrange the table by gender, male female male.

Ken pouted darkly in his seat between Lady Tomoe on his left and Aya on his right. Keiji, to Aya's right, looked pensive and the intended couple each seemed frozen behind masks of indifference. Only Aya, the King, and the Queen appeared at all relaxed as they maintained the conversation.

"The lost heir?" Lady Tomoe said in surprise, glancing from the Queen to Ken.

"Indeed," her majesty smiled.

"But its said the entire family was stabbed and left in the woods for the wolves. However could one survive?" Lady Tomoe asked.

The Queen's mouth fell open and she struggled to regain some composure as Ken ground his teeth. Once again he was prevented from speaking by Aya, who caught his arm. Both he and Ran glanced at her sharply as she smiled at their guest.

"Perhaps sometime in the near future Master Hidaka can regale you with the whole tale," she said. "It is a most exciting and unbelievable story."

"Yes, I would like that," the young Lady replied with a small smile, the first they'd seen from her. "If Master Hidaka is amenable."

Ken gave a curt nod.

"Sure," he said.

"Lovely," the Queen smiled, nodding her approval. "You shall enjoy that, my dear."

Lady Tomoe bobbed her head and sipped her tea. She and Ken glanced at one another carefully before choosing to ignore one another for the rest of the tea. By the end of it Ran was pinching the bridge of his nose and Keiji was frowning darkly. For their part the King and Queen seemed thoroughly entertained and secretly declared the whole thing a successful diversion.

XXXXXXXXXX

That evening Aya sat before her dressing table mirror and sighed deeply. After playing chaperon to Ran and Sakura all afternoon, trying to keep Ken under control, and the family dinner which had proved no less stressful than the tea she was done in.

At least Ken was being useful as a diversion from her own feelings. Outwardly he'd barely behaved himself and inwardly he was experiencing a jealousy boardering on rage. She was worried that he may prove dangerous if steps weren't taken, and she realized that with Ran otherwise occupied it would probably be up to her.

A knock at the door snapped her out of her thoughts and she caught her reflection in the mirror. She looked as though she was about to cry and quickly blinked her eyes to clear them.

"Come in," she called, turning in her seat to face the door and blinking in surprise to find the very object of her thoughts poking his head around the door. "Ken."

"Hi. Can I come in?" the former servant asked sheepishly.

"Please do," Aya said, smiling warmly. "You've never come to visit me before. Is Ran still entertaining Lady Tomoe?"

"Nah," he answered entering and closing the door. "He's grumpy, so I left 'im to read or somethin'."

"Ah. Probably wise," Aya nodded indicating one of the empty arm chairs by her fireplace.

She intended to join him there but before she could move he'd dragged the chair over to face her where she was already sitting.

"So what was that today?" Ken asked sitting down and looking her intently in the eye.

Aya was surprised. He was both serious and direct. Two things she hadn't seen from him before in the context of also being calm and collected. It pleased her and she smiled knowingly.

"The equivalent of a mental glass of water in the face judging from your expression," she answered with a smirk.

Ken gave her a puzzled frown.

"Ran hasn't told you, has he?" she asked with a sigh. "I should've realized. He probably forgot all about it. I can feel you, Ken. Your emotions."

The former servant stared at her in surprise for a moment before he slowly sat up straight, his eyes widening.

"Yes," Aya nodded. "All of them."

Her emphasis got her the desired result as Ken's cheeks turned a brilliant red.

"Don't worry," she smirked. "I assumed it was just a consequence of the pairing."

Ken cleared his throat.

"H-how...how can you?" he stammered.

"Remember that Ran and I share a special gift," Aya said. "The general name for it would be telepathy. The ability to hear the thoughts of others and to share your thoughts with them. Ours' is very specialized as we can only communicate with one another," she explained, "and now with you."

"But I can't hear you," Ken objected. "I mean, not clearly."

"Not yet, but I think that may change," Aya said. "Since the second time Ran shared his magic with you I have been aware of an emotional resonance from you. It is much clearer when you are asleep and completely open, but of late I've been able to read you while you're awake as well. And today you almost heard me, didn't you?"

"Twice. In the hall and at tea," he said. "What'd ya do?"

"Basically...I yelled at you...as loudly as I could without alerting Ran. Although I'm fairly certain he heard me at tea," she smiled. "I'm quite pleased with the results actually. I've never seen you lose the ability to speak before."

She giggled at the scowl he gave her.

"Well, no offense, but I'm not sure I want you feelin' everything I do," he said, wriggling self-consciously in his seat.

"That's why we must teach you how to shield yourself," Aya said, smiling softly. "When Ran and I were children we shared all our thoughts all the time, but as we grew older there were things we didn't want the other to know. Naturally, as we grew, we built walls in our minds. Walls with doors that we choose to open or keep shut. Somehow we must teach you to build such a wall."

"A shield," Ken muttered.

Aya nodded.

"So, who'll teach me?"

"Well, I think Ran and I will have to. Telepathy is a rare gift. I'm not sure there's anyone else here who can use it," Aya said. "Since it is we who are open to you it should be fairly simple. Hopefully."

Ken's shoulders slumped a little.

"We'll barely be alone now," he said. "His whole schedule has been rearranged for the Lady. We'll only have our magic lessons in the afternoons. I have to study weapons with Michio now. I'll only be completely alone with Ran at ni...," he paused and glanced up at her uncertainly.

"I know you sleep with him," Aya smiled, causing Ken to blush again.

"So, uh, you've always been able to do this...telepathy thing?" Ken asked.

Aya nodded, excepting the change of topic.

"It was our secret," she confided. "I'm not even sure our parents knew we could do it."

"Then how'd the King and Queen find out?" Ken asked eager to learn anything about his friend's past.

"Well," Aya said turning solemn, "when our parents died...Ran...he saw them. He saw them die. Has he told you this?"

Ken shook his head.

"He was watching out a window," Aya said slowly. "There was a lot of noise, violent noise and he left our hiding spot to try and see what was happening. The shock of it...well, he stopped speaking."

"He wouldn't talk?" Ken asked, the surprise and concern he felt clearly visible on his face.

"No, and so when we were brought here he came in silence. The royal family weren't quite sure what to do for him. I would cry and they could hold me, but Ran didn't do anything and refused any offers of comfort."

Ken frowned.

"Poor kid."

"Well, he was still quite able to communicate," Aya said. "Through me. It must have become obvious after a while. Whenever they asked Ran a question I would answer. Whenever they wanted his opinion or to discuss something with him I'd provide his side of the conversation. Even, upon occasion, from across the room where I couldn't possibly have heard what was being spoken."

"But how'd they get 'im to talk?" Ken asked.

"Rather unfairly Yohji asked him a rude question that he was too embarrassed to share with me, but felt compelled to answer," she smirked.

"What was the question?"

"That I still don't know," Aya chuckled. "But it did the trick. Once Yohji has the key to a puzzle he's unstoppable and before too long Ran was speaking for himself once more."

Ken sat back with a thoughtful grunt.

"I'm not surprised Ran hasn't told you," Aya said. "I doubt he likes to recall it. I think it embarrasses him now."

"Yeah, we don't really talk too much about the past," Ken admitted. "I think mine makes him feel...uneasy somehow." He shrugged.

"I expect he's still getting accustomed to being paired," Aya added. "After all, he wasn't paired before as you were, and it hasn't been all that long a time."

"Yeah, its different," Ken mumbled, still thinking.

"I imagine it is."

"No, I mean its different from when I was paired to Tris," Ken stated.

"Of course it is," Aya smiled. "You're older and you've changed since you were a child. You've grown."

Ken shook his head.

"No, that's not it...its like...its more," he scowled and shook his head again. "There's more...I feel..."

Aya raised her eyebrows expectantly and Ken blushed once again.

"I guess I can't explain it," he mumbled, bowing his head. "So, how long do courtships last anyway?"

Aya studied him for a minute and quickly came to a decision. Perhaps the jealousy could be channeled and directed toward an end.

"Some only a few weeks, others can go as long as several years," Aya replied, then smirked at the top of Ken's head. "It all depends on how far they get."

She quickly schooled her expression to one of mild interest when Ken's head snapped up to lock gazes with her.

"What does that mean?" he demanded.

"Well, the times they have alone together with only their chaperone are designed to allow them to get to know one another better. To discover whether they may develop any affection, or an attachment to one another. To see whether they are compatible. If so then there are the details of the arrangement to work out," Aya explained helpfully.

Ken soaked that in, looking thoughtful once more.

"You know, you may want to take full advantage of the times you do get Ran alone," Aya pointed out sweetly. "After all, if he marries her then she'll be the one sharing his bed."

Ken's eyes widened and he shot to his feet.

"Well, good night then, Sissie," he said loudly, patting her on the head.

She endeavored not to laugh as he bolted for the door only to have to come back and push the chair back into place before the fire, then he was gone and Aya dissolved into a fit of giggles.

XXXXXXXXXX

Omi and Yohji followed the librarian to the very end of the stacks of books, to the stone wall that marked the back of the library. It too was covered with floor to ceiling shelves which were heavy with books. The seer and the Prince looked at each other as the librarian paused and considered before reaching toward a particularly large volume entitled "Table Manners of the Last Century".

At the last moment his hand rose above the volume and slipped past it to the wall behind. There was an audible click and a whole section of shelves swung soundlessly forward revealing a darkened space beyond.

"This way, gentlemen," the librarian said raising his candle and stepping into the dark.

They followed the thin man down a short passage and into a large room at its end. There the librarian lit a hanging lantern positioned over a table. The light brightened and filled the space which was quite a bit larger than they had suspected and had several rows of shelves filled with carefully catalogued books and labeled scrolls. It was obvious that every one of them was a precious keepsake and well tended to. There was not a speck of dust or hint of mustiness in the room.

"I have set the volumes I thought would most assist you on the table," the librarian said. "There is a detailed catalogue of the rest of the collection in the file drawers on that wall. The books and scrolls here may not be removed from this room."

"Thank you," Omi breathed, his voice little more than a whisper.

Yohji glanced down at his friend and smirked at his expression. The young seer's eyes were wide and he looked as though he were looking on paradise. The Prince chuckled.

"I think we can take it from here," he said to the librarian. "Thank you."

"Very well, your Highness, Master Tsukiyono," the librarian said bowing and he departed.

There was a soft click as he closed the shelves behind him.

Yohji glanced around in wonder. He'd never been inside the library until Omi had come to the palace, and he'd never even dreamed a secret library existed. After a moment he looked back down at Omi who hadn't moved.

"Omi?" he asked softly, not sure whether his friend's glassy stare was due to shock or an oncoming vision.

"Yes," the seer responded, snapping from his reverie and stepping eagerly toward the table.

He swiftly circled it to one of the two chairs on its far side and took a seat, pulling the top volume toward himself.

"Father was reluctant to grant me permission to come here. He actually made me swear that we would keep to ourselves anything we'd learn in this room," Yohji stated, slowly coming around the other end of the table to stand by the empty chair. "I hope we can find something useful."

"The librarian seemed to think we would. Otherwise I doubt he'd have mentioned it," the seer replied, not looking up from the contents of the book.

Yohji made a sound of agreement in the back of his throat and sat down. Omi looked sideways at him.

"You don't have to stay," he said.

"Don't worry, Chibbi. I won't leave you alone in here," the Prince smirked.

Omi snorted and returned to reading the book. After skimming the table of contents he very carefully began turning the pages to find the section he wanted. Yohji watched him for a moment before turning to study the other titles on the table. After a moment his brow furrowed.

"What book is that?" he asked.

"A general history. Why?" Omi replied without looking up.

"These are all general in nature," the Prince said and Omi glanced at the other titles. "How can these possibly contain more information than the book you read on the Sacred Flame?"

Omi frowned in thought.

"Well, the book I read wasn't really about the Sacred Flame as much as it was the nuns that serve it. It was written by those professors your father sent north twelve years ago," Omi answered. "It mainly contained descriptions of the Temple, the cloister, the nuns, how they live and worship. There was information about the condition of the flame and conjecture about the cause of its failing and possible cures, but nothing about its origins. Not even the nuns seemed to know anything about that, not anything factual anyway. Just a brief summary of their beliefs which matches what is written in most religious texts. I have the feeling that the professors weren't very impressed."

"And they say that it bridges our world and the planet's magical core," the Prince stated.

"Yes, and that it was created to keep the balance between the magic at the core and the surface magic of the wells. Although that seemed more like conjecture."

Yohji reached out and pulled one of the other texts toward himself.

"If there is a connection between the Flame and the Seats, and it does maintain some balance, then if the flame dies, Yohji..."

"I know, Chibbi," the Prince said. He smiled at the younger man and winked. "My father believes Keiji can stop its failing, and I've never known my father to be wrong. It's up to us to discover the key to how to renew the flame."

Omi smiled tentatively up at his friend and returned his eyes to the open tome before him.

"We'll find the key, Yotan," he promised.

Several hours later Yohji's head was pillowed on his arms and he was emitting the occasional snore. Omi had gone through all the chosen volumes without learning anything more than they already knew, and he'd begun going through the catalogue to see what else was available. But even that had gotten old after not finding anything remotely promising.

He'd decided that a rest was in order. At random the seer had chosen a volume off a shelf and was perusing it, listening to the Prince's steady breathing. Glancing at his friend he wondered whether he aught to wake him, but guessed this was the most uninterrupted sleep he'd ever gotten. Shaking his head Omi returned to his reading.

The book he'd found was a depiction of the events leading up to the Great War. The result of which was the rise in power of the First House, and the uniting of the other twelve into one kingdom under their rule.

It was obviously an original, several millennia old as the written language varied from the style of more modern works. It claimed to be a hand written account of events by an eyewitness. The differences in grammar were interesting, and Omi noted that many details that were glossed over in current versions were fleshed out in that one.

He flipped ahead to the triumph of King Simon of the First House. After reading a few paragraphs his eyes widened in shocked disbelief. Omi vigorously shook his head and read the part again, then shook Yohji awake.

"What? What's the matter?" the Prince cried, sitting up and looking blearily around. "Omi?"

"Yes," stated the seer. "Here. Read this," he said urgently, thrusting the book under Yohji's nose.

The lanky Prince blinked at it uncomprehendingly, then started reading. After a few sentences his brow furrowed and he flipped the book to examine the cover.

"History of the great war? What does this have to do with the Sacred Flame?" he asked.

"Nothing. I was taking a break," Omi stated, pulling the book from Yohji and setting it down before him on the table. "Just read."

"You were taking a break?" the Prince snorted.

Omi glared at him.

"Yohji. Read."

"Okay, okay," the older man chuckled turning back to the text before him.

Several moments later Yohji sat up straight in his chair, his face set in a tense scowl.

"This...is it an accurate account?" he asked.

"Yes. As far as I can tell," Omi answered. "There's a personal note in the front from the author. He was there. A witness."

"Now I understand my father's reluctance," the Prince muttered darkly. "I'm afraid I must officially swear you to secrecy."

"Of course," Omi said softly. "So, you didn't know? That King Simon...had a twin?"

XXXXXXXXXX

Author's Note: Eee-hee-hee-hee! She's heeere! And poor Ken-Ken sharing his secret emotions with Aya! And speaking of secrets...the first one has been revealed. Sorry its not a bigger one. ;P

And thanks to Bweiss! There will be more Ran/Ken...eventually.