Warning: AU, Fantasy, PG-13, Ran/Ken.
Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takahito Koyasu and Project Weiss.
First Born: Sacred Flame
Chapter Six: Public Displays, Private Declarations
A quiet murmuring spread through the crowd watching the game of paille maille taking place on the lawn outside the back of the Palace. The interest in a possible royal wedding was forgotten as it became clear that one person was very much opposed, and the Lady wasn't backing down.
Nobody paid the score keeper any mind as he called the shot and they ignored the King and Queen's compliments. Even Ken who was the recipient of them. He and Lady Tomoe faced off until Aya pulled Ken away and Ran said something to Sakura.
"Ken, may I point out, incase you've forgotten, that we are very much in the public eye at the moment," Aya whispered urgently as she pulled him away from the starting position.
"Nice shot," Yohji commented as he passed them to make his opening move.
Ken didn't hear the Prince as he was too busy glaring at Lady Tomoe over his shoulder.
"Ken," Aya whispered fiercely, tugging his arm.
"I heard ya," he grumbled, turning from the object of his jealousy and refocusing on the game.
The 'clack' of Yohji's shot rang out and his ball rolled easily through the hoop, bumping Ken's. The score keeper called the shot and the crowd remembered to applaud. Yohji spun around and presented them with an elaborate bow which they cheered and laughed at.
"Why are all these people watchin' us anyway? I thought this was just goin' to be a quiet family game," Ken frowned, glancing around.
"The only time the royal family is not watched is when we are in the royal apartments," Aya said softly. "Wonderful shot, Yohji," she smiled as the Prince passed them again.
"Thank you," he said sauntering by.
"Endeavor not to hurt anyone," Keiji muttered as he walked behind them toward the starting position.
Ken pouted at the crown Prince's back.
"Its time you learned what it is to be a member of this family, Ken," Aya whispered at him. "Everything you do reflects back on Ran and ultimately the King. Remember that."
Ken glanced at the man he was paired to. Ran was closely watching Keiji's shot which followed the same path as Yohji's. As the crowd applauded the red-headed Lord nodded his appreciation to the crown Prince. His red hair shined in the sun like a fire and his violet eyes sparkled with his sharp intelligence as he studied the field. To Ken he was the most beautiful person he'd ever seen and he was slowly slipping away.
"I can't lose him," he muttered to himself.
"What?" Aya asked at his side.
"How long is this game gonna last?" Ken asked, dragging his eyes from her brother.
"Probably until dinner," Aya answered. "Once Michio and Jomei have shot we'll all be officially in play. Did Ran tell you the course we follow?"
Ken nodded.
"It can take quite a while to reach the stake. At any other time during the game you'd get a second shot for going through the hoop with one blow, but not on the starting or finishing shots," she explained. "And knocking Sakura, Ran and Omi off course means they'll now have to recover. Although...I think you may have done Ran and Omi a favor."
Ken frowned and looked at the green attempting to see what she was seeing. Michio had just finished his play and his green ball had joined Ken's yellow, Yohji's orange, and Keiji's black in the pile just beyond the first hoop.
"That's going to be hard to get out of," Aya said. "And don't forget all we ladies are coming up behind you as well, and we shoot first."
"Watch me, Ken! Watch!" Prince Jomei cried as he raced by, almost tripping over his mallet.
The youngest royal aimed carefully and wacked his blue ball as hard as he could. It went past the hoop without going through but he beamed at Ken anyway.
"It went far," he stated proudly.
"Sure did," Ken agreed as the crowd behind and above them twittered and cheered.
"Unfortunately you'll have to come back to play through," Aya said with a soft smile.
The little Prince shrugged and rejoined his sister who was pouting at him.
"Why'd you do that?" she demanded.
Aya watched them for a moment and smiled when the Queen scolded them.
"Well, at least some things never change," she sighed. "He used to be too shy to speak in public but he'd always go for distance over strategy."
The game continued. Lady Tomoe recovered her ball and joined the grouping at the first hoop which was somewhat disrupted by Aya. Chiyo further separated them with her second shot and by the time it was Ken's turn again he was carefully wading through a sea of balls. His goal to make it through the second hoop and get another shot as Omi and Ran had before him.
When he successfully made the play he was further gratified by the pleased smile he found gracing Ran's face. Their eyes met and Ken felt his heart soar. Unfortunately he over played his second shot, sailing past Omi and Ran but also the third hoop. The crowd still applauded and he nodded his shy appreciation.
As Aya awaited her turn she joined him at the far end of the field.
"Well done, but you should've taken advantage of your position and knocked either Omi or Ran out of alignment," she said.
Just as she spoke Yohji's shot knocked Ran's red ball almost out of bounds, clearing the way for Omi's next shot. Provided no one bumped him.
"You see?" Aya asked. "Its us against them."
"Do you play this a lot?" Ken asked, watching Keiji's ball clear the second hoop.
"If the weather is good," Aya replied. "Yohji or Ran usually win. Once they were a team but we don't allow that anymore."
"What happened?"
"Between Yohji's conniving and Ran's strategies they were unstoppable," Aya said. "It was no fun for anyone."
Everyone settled in and the game progressed. Ken did take a perverse joy in knocking Lady Tomoe's ball out of bounds when he went back to try the third hoop again, and she got him back at the fourth by sending him almost all the way across the field.
The crowds loved their rivalry and cheered loudly every time one or the other got the upper hand. Even the King and Queen joined in by suggesting that the course appeared more barbed than usual.
For his part Ran tried to ignore them and focus on the game. He, Yohji and Omi were in the lead with Chiyo close behind. The competition was getting fierce as Yohji began using his ball as a means of clearing the field for Omi.
By three in the afternoon they'd cleared the sixth hoop and started their backwards run through the second when a servant called a halt for tea.
The royal party relaxed as they were served tea where they stood. Several quiet conversations sprang up, mostly about the game and the fine weather.
"How do you like it so far?" Aya asked Ken as they stood sipping their tea.
"Its fun. I like it," he said. "The family never did anything like this at the Thirteenth House."
"Really?" Aya asked, surprised.
"Nope," Ken shook his head.
Before he could continue a soft giggle drew his attention to Ran and Lady Tomoe. They were chatting quietly with Keiji and Chiyo near the second hoop. All four looked relaxed and happy.
Ken began to seeth.
"They're gettin' along pretty well," he stated coldly.
"Ken, remember where we are," Aya cautioned. "Don't do anything rash. Its just a quiet conversation among friends."
"Sure it is," he snarled and turned his back on the small group just as Ran looked up.
He frowned worriedly at Aya who shook her head minutely, telling him not to worry. A few minutes later the game resumed.
As the leaders neared the sixth hoop again the tension between them rose and the crowd became hushed when they were taking their shots. A secondary rivalry had developed between Aya, Keiji, and Hanako and was watched with as much anticipation as the first. Ken and Sakura continued to throw glares at one another and knock each other off course as often as possible, but their exchanges took a back seat to the game itself as the afternoon drew closer to a win.
Omi, who'd lined himself up for a go at the stake, hit his ball just a tad too lightly and it stopped just short of its goal. Yohji patted him on the back in comfort as the crowd 'awed', then quieted for Chiyo's turn.
She over shot trying to round the fifth hoop to go through and had to await her next turn to try again.
Hanako used her turn to move back through the fourth hoop, and her second shot to pass Aya at the third where she knocked Keiji out of bounds to the crowd's delight.
Jomei and Kishi had dropped out at tea time and were quietly enjoying extra cake on the grass near their parents. So the next move was Ran's and the crowd quieted again as the stoic Lord took up position by his ball.
He'd intentionally over shot the fifth hoop on his last turn so he'd have a straight shot through it. He eyed Omi's ball a few inches short of the stake but effectively placed between himself and the win. Carefully lining up his mallet he struck his ball and everyone watching held their breath.
It easily cleared the hoop and when it came to Omi's it hopped it and struck the stake with a firm thud. The crowd exploded with cheers.
Omi, smiling broadly, stepped forward and shook Ran's hand as the red-head moved forward to reclaim his ball. Smiling, he scooped it up and held it aloft, sending the crowd into loud cheers again. His eyes slid to meet Ken's briefly as the former servant applauded wildly, then he bowed and moved off the field as he was now out of play.
The score keeper called out the win and the King and Queen applauded.
Ken began walking to his ball, nearly out of bounds on the field's left side, as he watched Ran rejoin Lady Tomoe who was smiling brightly almost directly across from him. As the red-head came beside her the Lady stepped forward and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Ken stopped in his tracks and stared as Ran bowed his head to her before turning to watch the game, carefully avoiding wide brown eyes, and ignoring the cooing of the crowd.
Seconds later all royal heads turned to Ken as he pulled up his magic. Before anyone could move to stop him there was a loud 'crack' and a bolt of blue lightning struck the ground in front of Lady Tomoe.
Everyone gasped in shock as her intricately woven hair shot straight off the top of her head and soared in a gentle arc toward Omi on the far side of the field. The seer held out his arms and caught it, raising startled eyes to the Lady.
She stood stalk still, blinking in dismay. Although looking quite stunned she appeared alright otherwise. Except her hair. Shoulder length brown whisps stuck out in every direction making her look like a dandelion gone to seed.
Ran turned a dark scowl on Ken, who was trying hard not to look as pleased as he felt.
Yohji and Chiyo dashed to the Lady's assistance. The Princess producing a long scarf out of a pocket which she used to cover Sakura's hair.
Aya swallowed a giggle and covered her mouth with her hand before she could begin laughing, and Keiji turned to frown at his father. His eyes said 'I told you'.
"Ah," the King said. "I leave it to you."
Before the crown Prince could say or do anything Ran marched up to Ken.
"Inside. Now," he commanded coldly.
The former wood boy frowned but obediently followed him up the lawn toward the palace and through the awed crowd which silently parted for them. Many whispers started up behind their backs as they passed.
Keiji watched them go and watched as Yohji and Chiyo with Omi following ushered Lady Tomoe off the lawn and inside the northern wing, thus avoiding the crowds. He also took note of Aya who stood where she'd been standing, watching after her brother. Her eyes were full of sad longing. After a moment she shook herself and followed after Lady Tomoe.
Frowning in thought the crown Prince turned and made his way up the lawn after Ran and Ken.
"Call the game, score keeper," the King commanded loudly. "We'll have no more play today."
"Yes, your Majesty," the servant bowed. "Game called! The winner, red-ball two!"
There was a smattering of applause but it did nothing to cover the awed and apprehensive muttering.
XXXXXXXXXX
Ran led Ken through the first floor of the palace until they entered the little drawing room where they'd had tea the day Sakura had arrived. It was deserted and dark as the sun had moved to the far side of the palace, but beyond the windows the plain glowed green.
Ken sighed in frustration as Ran closed the door sharply behind him then came round to face him. The Lord's eyes were angry and dark.
"What was that?" he demanded. "Just what were you trying to do? You could've seriously hurt her."
"I didn't come close to hurting her," Ken retorted with a frown.
"That's not the point," Ran stated. "You do not use magic against friends of the crown. Ever. What you did was not only rude and childish, it was dangerous and boardering on treason."
Ken reacted like he'd been slapped.
"I don't like her!" he cried. "I don't know why she has to be here!"
"You know why, Ken. I don't much like it either, but..."
"Then why are you going along with it!" Ken demanded.
Ran sighed in exasperation.
"Because I'm a loyal subject. I do what my King asks of me because I believe that what he does is for more than himself or me, but will ultimately benefit everyone in this kingdom," he stated. "If he wants a marriage then so be it."
"What about me? What about what I want!" Ken asked, his voice rising. "I don't want a marriage!"
"What we want doesn't matter," Ran stated adamantly.
"It does to me!" Ken exclaimed petulantly. "If the King likes her so much then he can marry her!"
"Ken," Ran said plaintively, shaking his head.
"No, Ran. I don't like her talking to you. Stealing our time. Giggling. Kissing! I don't like her touching you!" Ken yelled angrily. "Only I can touch you!"
Ran's eyes widened and he stared at his partner in shock and just the tiniest bit of hope.
"I mean it! I want her gone," the former wood boy stated, still scowling.
"So be it."
Both men turned to find the crown Prince standing just inside the room, his arms crossed over his chest and a tight frown marring his features. Unfolding his arms he slowly crossed the room to where Ran and Ken were standing.
"Ran, I think you'd better see to Aya," Keiji said once he reached them.
"Aya? Why? What's wrong?" the red-headed Lord demanded, his countenance suddenly all worry and concern.
"I think she maybe feeling a tad slighted," the crown Prince said.
Ran's brow furrowed and he looked guiltily at the floor. Keiji patted his shoulder.
"Is Lady Tomoe really leaving?" Ken asked, not bothering to hide the hope in his voice.
"Yes," the crown Prince said turning to cast him a stern glance, "though not because you wish it. She'll be leaving because this foolish idea of my father's is over."
Ran and Ken exchanged confused glances.
"There was no real courtship," the crown Prince explained. "My father thought to use her. He suspected that something like this would happen and thought that by letting it he could stop other such suits before they start. No doubt she will be withdrawing her's now and I'd be surprised if any others followed it."
He looked sternly at Ken who had the decency to look guilty.
"Master Hidaka," Keiji said straightening himself to his full impressive height. "I think it fair to warn you that you are here by the grace of the King and are in service to him. If he wanted you or Ran to walk naked from one end of the kingdom to the other you would do it without question. Am I clear?"
Ken stared up at him for a moment then ducked his head and shifted nervously.
"Yes, your Highness," he answered.
"Good. This evening you will apologize to Lady Tomoe and wish her well in all her future endeavors. You will be polite and act like a gentleman in her presence. Is that clear?" Keiji asked.
Ken nodded, pouting.
"Yes, your Highness," he answered.
"Good. Now I shall go and attempt to put this mess to rights," the crown Prince said.
Casting one last stern look at Ken he turned and strode from the room with Ran following close behind.
XXXXXXXXXX
Once they reached the privacy of a small lounge Chiyo took the wig from Omi and politely asked him and Yohji to wait in the hall. Aya joined her a few minutes later. Lady Tomoe was still in a state of shock and muttering to herself.
"Oh...oh no...I'm so sorry," the young woman said.
"Please stop apologizing, my Lady," Chiyo said, attempting to comb through the static charged mess atop her head. "This isn't your fault."
"No, it is...it is...he wouldn't have done it...if only I'd been nicer...I didn't know...I..."
"My Lady, please," the Princess said as the young woman persisted.
"Chiyo's right," Aya said coming to assist her friend. "What Ken did is unforgivable."
When Lady Tomoe suddenly began sobbing Chiyo gave up on her hair and looked at Aya.
"I'm not sure that helped," she said.
Aya shrugged apologetically.
"If only I'd known he was paired...I would've been more prepared...I thought I'd get it right...I was sure I would...," Sakura's sobs rose in volume and she buried her face in her hands. "How...how can I ever fix this? I have to...I have to..."
The Princess and Aya exchanged confused glances.
"Lady Tomoe," Chiyo said softly, waiting for a break in the tears to continue, "may I ask you what prompted you to resume your courtship with Lord Fujimiya?"
"I...that is...," the Lady took a shuddering breath and let it out slowly. "I realized that the reason it didn't work before was...me, and I thought this time...well...I realized Ran isn't cold as much as he is quiet, and he's quiet because he's a serious person with important work to do. I thought...I became convinced that I had as good a chance of making him happy as anyone."
She paused and after a second began crying again.
"I didn't know he was paired," she sobbed. "I should've been kinder. It would've been alright if I'd been kinder. Now...now how can I fix this?...oh, if only I'd been kinder it would've all been alright and...and..."
Her tears took on a hysterical edge as she buried her face in her hands once more. Aya and Chiyo looked at one another again. The Princess wrapped a comforting arm around the sobbing girl's shoulders.
"There, there," Chiyo cooed softly. "Everything will be fine."
Lady Tomoe drew another shuddering breath and hiccupped, then nodded.
"Sakura, perhaps it would be better if...if you gave up on Ran," Aya hesitantly suggested. "He is indeed quiet and kind, but Ken, as you can plainly see, isn't. Quiet, I mean...or kind either in this instance, but he won't give up. I can promise you that."
The Lady was staring at her wide eyed, her sobs momentarily halted along with her breathing as her mouth hung open in shock.
"Give up!" she cried. "I can't give up! If I do then...then I'll have to go back. I'll have to return to...no, no, no, I can't give up. I'll be nicer, sweeter. I'll win him over. I have to."
As she spoke she rose and began pacing the room in great agitation, ringing her hands and shaking her head. Aya and Chiyo watched her in disbelief.
"Lady Tomoe, surely you must see that its impossible," the Princess stated.
The young woman turned on her. Her face white and tear streaked.
"No! No! I have to win him! I have to!" she shrieked in hysteria. "I can't ever go back to that monstrous House!"
Aya and Chiyo started just as Lady Tomoe seemed to realize what she'd said. She covered her mouth with both hands and began sobbing uncontrollably. Her thin frame shook. Aya and Chiyo looked at each other in realization. Both rose and silently guided the hysterical young woman back to her seat where they worked at soothing and comforting her until she was relatively calm once more.
"Lady Tomoe...Sakura, were they...unkind to you at the Fourth House?" Chiyo asked carefully.
Sakura stopped crying almost immediately and began wiping at her eyes.
"Oh no," she said, shaking her head emphatically. "They were...they were all very..."
Before she could finish her denial she dissolved into tears again and dropped her head back into her hands.
"Sakura, did they hurt you?" the Princess asked a bit more forcefully.
"Yes," Sakura breathed, nodding slightly, still sobbing.
"And you renewed your suit to Ran because...?"
"He was kind," the young woman cried miserably, looking up with desperation in her eyes. "I remembered he was kind. I wrote...I wrote my cousin...he's living in my father's house in my absence...I asked him to come and get me, to help me. I wrote several times but he never answered."
She shook her head as her breathing hitched, forcing her to stop.
"I had to get away. I had to," she continued when she was able. "I was reminded of my time here. Despite my foolishness how kind...everyone was. I knew...I knew that if the King were to send for me they'd have to let me go. So I wrote him and paid a servant to sneak the letter into the post. I was so afraid she wouldn't do it...that they'd discover my plan...that the King wouldn't answer...that Ran...might be already married..."
"They let you write your cousin but not the King?" Aya asked and Sakura shook her head again.
"I wrote my cousin immediately after my husband's death. When I was still at the Fourth House itself. Two months later, when there had been no reply to my letters, they moved me to the villa," she said and shuddered. Large tears rolled down her cheeks and she endeavored to wipe them away. "When I was sent for, and they let me go, I thought the hardest part was over. I was sure I could win Ran's affection. I remembered how he was, what he was like, and I determined that I would be just the same. I was sure everything would work out and that I could make him happy."
When she didn't continue Chiyo and Aya exchanged glances again. The Princess sighed and brushed a hand over the Lady's still bushy hair.
"Why didn't you just tell us all this at the start?" she asked.
Sakura looked up, her brown eyes wide.
"Why should you believe me?" she asked.
The Princess smiled sadly at her.
"Well, I guess this lets Ran off the hook," Aya said.
"I'm very sorry," Sakura said, again dropping her head. "I'll apologize before I leave."
"You aren't going anywhere," Chiyo stated. "And its Ken who's going to apologize."
The Lady's head snapped up and she stared at the Princess.
"What do you think, Aya?" Chiyo asked, turning to her friend.
"A Lady in Waiting," Ran's sister nodded. "The Queen has very few she likes and even fewer she trusts. And you're young enough that you'll be ideal for transferring into the court of whoever wins Keiji's heart."
"Excellent. Exactly what I was thinking," the Princess nodded. "My Lady, how would you like a job?"
Sakura simply blinked at her, two large tears slipping from her eyes and running down her cheeks.
"Yes, please," she said at last in a very small voice, gently wiping at her face.
"Now we shall fetch Ursula to help with your hair. Why ever were you wearing that wig?" the Princess asked, smiling.
"I remembered how long Aya's hair was, and how lovely it looked, but mine wouldn't grow," she admitted sheepishly.
Aya gave her a hug and looked her in the eye.
"You look better without the wig," she said smiling. "Or you will once we fix this," she amended, glancing at Sakura's hair.
The two giggled and Sakura let out a deep sigh.
"Thank you," she said. "Thank you very much."
XXXXXXXXXX
Ursula was summoned and soon had Sakura's hair set to rights. Moments after her arrival Keiji and Ran arrived. The one to officially nullify the courtship, and the other to collect his sister for an afternoon and dinner alone together.
At the family dinner Ken formally apologized to Lady Tomoe and offered to heal any damage he may have caused her. The two sat together and managed to be polite and even a little friendly.
The Queen was delighted by the prospect of adding Sakura to her ranks and suggested it be published that she won the post as compensation for losing Ran. It was decided in private that the Fourth House would be quietly investigated.
After dinner the King took Ken into his study and gave him a parental lecture. He said he realized it was probably too late for the disciplined hand of a loving father but that he meant to try anyway. Ken left the study forbidden from eating with the royal family for a month, while Ran was required to eat with them, including all tea times. Thus they would be separated at mealtimes as well as in the mornings. The King felt sure Ken would feel the weight of it, while Ken thought it might be heavier if he weren't spending every night in Ran's room. Both went to bed satisfied.
Later that night Keiji discovered Aya out on the drawing room balcony gazing at the stars. After watching her for a moment he quietly slipped outside to join her.
"Lovely evening," he said studying the sky.
"Mmmm. Still chilly though," she said.
"True, but its early yet."
"Yes."
They smiled at one another and then looked out over the lawns. The white paille maille rectangle glowed in the moonlight.
"So, how was your time with your brother?" the Prince asked.
"Nice," Aya smiled. "He tried valiantly not to talk of Ken or Sakura. I appreciated his effort."
The Prince chuckled.
"Thank you, Keiji. I needed that."
"You are most welcome."
They quietly watched the view for a few moments then Aya sighed.
"It was nice, but I know that he just doesn't have the time for me that he used to," she said softly. "Not that he ever had much, but his focus has shifted and I just have to get used to it."
She gripped the railing, staring resolutely out toward the sea.
"I love Ken and I'm glad Ran has found something I'd never have dreamed for him, but still..."
Keiji rested his hand atop her's on the railing and looked at her intense profile.
"Perhaps it is time for him to step aside and make room for someone else," he said softly.
Aya blinked in surprise and turned to stare up at him. He smiled softly down at her.
Giving her hand a gentle squeeze he bid her goodnight and left her blushing on the balcony under the stars.
XXXXXXXXXX
Ran was in bed already when the door between his room and Ken's slowly creaked open. The brunet hesitated a moment before slipping into the room and rounding the bed. Moments later he climbed under the covers and laid still, looking at Ran. They hadn't seen each other since their heated moments in the drawing room and the former servant was nervous.
"Are you asleep?" he asked softly.
"No," Ran answered.
"Are you still mad at me?"
"I wasn't mad at you, Ken, I was afraid you would hurt her...and incur the King's wrath," Ran replied.
"I'm sorry," Ken said, his pout evident in his voice. "I sorta did. I'm not allowed to eat with you for a month. Tea included."
Ran snorted.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Ken smiled.
"Just go to sleep," Ran said, his voice sounding lighter than it had in weeks.
"Okay," Ken said, smiling wider. "Good night, Ran."
"Good night."
XXXXXXXXXX
Author's Note: And so ends the Paille Maille game and the rivalry between Ken and Sakura. Too short? Well, don't worry there is more fun to be had!
Thanks to Cat in the web! Ken is hotheaded, but that makes him fun to write. And I hope you enjoyed the outcome of the game. It was really fun writing it! There will be more about Omi and Takatori coming up, so hang in for that. And more secrets are to be revealed!
Thanks to Aubrey! Hi! What did you think of Sakura after all was revealed? My hope was to make everyone hate her and then pull the rug out from under your feet. Did it work? Still hate her? I can't wait to find out.
Thanks to Snowgirl frozen in shock! I just have to thank you for the most entertaining review I think I've ever read! It gave both me and my hubby a good solid giggle. Thanks! I wish I had a personal website too. Oh well! I update every Tuesday evening after work!
