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

Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weiss.

First Born: Sacred Flame

Chapter Nine: Suspicions and Theories

Eight weeks before the Summer Solstice

The morning after their duel in the throne room Ran cornered Yohji after breakfast and asked if they could discuss something in private. The Prince readily agreed and they stepped into an unoccupied sitting room off the main hallway.

"To what do I owe this honor?" Yohji quipped, grinning. "If you want to know of our progress then I can assure you that Omi and I are working steadily, and should have some information soon."

"You say that everyday," Ran stated.

"It's true everyday."

"That's not what I wanted to speak with you about," Ran said, sighing. He took a deep breath to steady himself, he could see where their conversation would be heading. "I would like to request that Omi be allowed to move into Ken's room."

"Is not Ken in Ken's room?"

"Not at present."

"Then where is Ken?"

Ran fidgeted slightly before answering.

"Ken has been sharing my room with me," he confessed and waited.

Yohji's eyes got very round and he began to smirk indecently.

Ran ground his teeth and waited.

"Well, well, well," the Prince grinned. "Things are progressing I see."

"Yohji," Ran said with warning.

"Have you tasted of Ken's delights yet? Is he as sweet as he appears?" the lanky brunet giggled.

"Yohji!" Ran cried angrily.

"Don't think we haven't noticed, Ran," the Prince continued with another smirk. "The touches, the glances, the heavy tension of restrained sexual desi..."

"Yohji! Ken's predilection for physical contact has nothing to do with sexual attraction, as you are very well aware," Ran stated stiffly. "It's a reaction to his years alone, unpaired, and nothing more."

"If I didn't know better I'd say you sound frustrated," Yohji commented. His smirk was gone but there was still a twinkle in his eyes.

Ran scowled at him.

"So, I take it he's been sleeping with you despite his new room," Yohji said.

Ran nodded.

"How do you explain that?" the Prince asked.

"He's been having nightmares."

"And goes to you for comfort?" Yohji raised his eyebrows at Ran.

"We're paired," Ran said defensively. "He used to sneak into Tris's room and vice-versa."

"They were children, Ran. You are adults," Yohji argued.

"To Ken there's no difference," Ran stated, and he could feel himself fighting a pout.

The Prince pursed his lips and studied him a moment.

"The Court will be disappointed to hear that," he said at last.

"What do you mean? Why?" Ran asked, suspicious.

"You're the couple of the season, didn't you know?" Yohji asked innocently.

"W-what!"

"Why the entire populace has their eyes on you. They're all waiting and watching for signs of romance," Yohji informed him, his smirk firmly back in place.

"That's ridiculous," Ran snorted.

"Ran, they're keeping score!" Yohji cried, reaching into his coat and whipping out a folded card.

The Prince handed it to Ran who recognized it as a score card for Epiant Amoure, a silly game the occupants of the palace played in the spring, in which several suspected couples would be chosen and watched. Players would record anything that appeared the least bit intimate in their cards and score it on a scale of one to ten, ten being a kiss and seen as confirmation of the coupling. Extra points were added for where the intimacy took place, as high as plus five if the couple thought they were alone.

"What's this!" Ran demanded hotly, scandalized to find his and Ken's names at the top of the card, and a list detailing several incidents Yohji purportedly witnessed.

"Be careful with that," the Prince sniffed, snatching the card back and tucking it away again. "I'm ahead by five since I saw you hand feed KenKen a bit of cake last evening before bed."

"Hand feed?" Ran asked incredulously. "Yohji, I handed him my plate with a bit of left over frosting on it."

"And he ate it," the Prince stated.

"You weren't even there! How did you see that?" Ran demanded.

"I was passing in the hall," Yohji stated defensively.

"Has the Court nothing better to do with its spare time?" Ran sighed in frustration.

"And now with you two in one room," Yohji said gleefully, pretending to ignore his fuming companion.

"May Omi be invited to take Ken's room or not?" Ran asked, losing all patience.

"Of course," Yohji laughed. "But why would he want it?"

Frowning, Ran explained.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Omi."

The young seer looked up in surprise. Yohji was standing in the entrance to the secret library, his face set in a serious frown.

"What are you doing here? Isn't there a meeting this morning?" Omi asked.

Yohji continued to observe him for a few seconds.

"I've been talking with Ran," the Prince said softly.

"Yes?"

"He told me some rather disturbing things. Why didn't you tell me your half-brothers tried to beat you?"

Omi's eyes got very big before turning angry.

"Ken promised he wouldn't say anything!" he cried, springing from his seat.

"He didn't. I spoke to Ran," Yohji stated.

"He shouldn't have told Ran either! Ken swore..."

"Ken is not the issue here!" the Prince yelled, stepping forward and slamming his hands down on the table.

Omi took a startled step back. His legs caught on his seat and he sat down hard in his chair, staring up at Yohji in shock.

"Well?" the Prince demanded.

"I didn't tell you because...I didn't want to become what the Ambassador thinks I am," the seer said, his shoulders slumping and his eyes falling to his lap.

"And what would that be?" Yohji asked softly.

"An upstart little bastard determined to use everything in his power to get in good with the royal family and ruin the life of an honest man," Omi said. "Or something to that effect. I think he mentioned my 'miscreant mother' as well."

"You aren't any of those things, Omi," Yohji said.

"I know that, Yotan. I guess I was hoping to finally prove that to him," the younger man said without lifting his face. "When I was a child my mother brought me here to meet him. My voice had developed a reputation and my gift was beginning to show. She hoped they would be enough to win him over, but he never cared about such things. He only cared that she had disgraced him by bearing another man's child."

Yohji reached forward and cupped Omi's chin, lifting his head until their eyes met. The Prince was smiling gently.

"Omi, you're studied enough to know where the gift of sight comes from," he said.

"A soul mating," the seer answered quietly.

The Prince nodded.

"That's right. Born of purity," Yohji said. "If Ambassador Takatori can't see that then he's worse than a fool. I have to wonder what amount of good an angry, embittered old man is doing his nation or my father. But I promise I'll let his work speak for itself," Yohji added when it looked like Omi would protest. "No matter how much I'd like to have him thrown out on his ass."

Omi relaxed but still looked sad. The Prince smiled and patted him on the head.

"You are now a part of this House and my family. Your things shall be moved to the royal apartment, and anyone who dares to cross you will have to deal with me," he grinned, "big brother Yohji."

Omi blinked up at him in surprise.

"Really?"

"Yes. Apparently we have a newly refurbished room going to waste," the Prince said archly.

"Heh. Ken's been sleeping with Ran," Omi said smiling.

"You knew?"

"Ken told me. He says Ran makes a good pillow," the seer smirked.

"Does he now?" Yohji asked, pulling out his Epiant Amoure card. "Hmmm."

XXXXXXXXXX

Two days later the move took place. Although initially thought to be an easy solution, the hitch came when Ran had to empty one of his wardrobes so Ken could use it. He and Aya spent an entire day going through his things and determining what could be given away, thrown out, or stored. Then they spent another day reorganizing what was left.

Yohji picked on the stoic Lord about the sheer volume of his wardrobe until Aya came to her brother's defense, and Chiyo pointed out that the Prince shouldn't be one to talk. His wardrobe exceeded Ran's five shirts to one. Yohji conceded the point, but claimed he did it all for the pleasure and enjoyment of the ladies, and didn't feel he should be faulted for it. His sisters laughed at that and his mother scolded him, which was the entertainment of the evening.

The next morning Ken moved into Ran's room, Omi moved into Ken's and everyone settled into a relatively peaceful spring.

XXXXXXXXXX

The evening after the move found Omi once again relaxing in the drawing room of the royal apartment with the royal family. As he had on previous occasions he marveled at how relaxed they were, and how they obviously enjoyed each others' company.

He was seated at the card table with the King, Queen, Keiji, Yohji, and Ran, playing a game they seemed fond of. Aya and Chiyo were doing some needle point on one of the settees near by and were attempting to teach Princess Kishi. Hanako, as usual, was reading in a chair by a lamp.

The relative quiet and tranquility of the family scene was constantly disrupted however by the thumping, grunting, and giggling coming from the floor of the next sitting area over. Michio, Ken and Jomei were wrestling. Occasionally a hand or foot would become visible over the top of the settee the ladies were occupying, or Jomei would stand up and laugh before diving back toward the floor. They were proving a source of distraction for Princess Kishi who would periodically peek over the top of the settee to watch, and the Queen would silence their louder moments by imperiously saying, "Boys, please." But everyone else just ignored them which led Omi to conclude that this must be a common event.

"Now that I have you two together I'd like an actual progress report on your research," the King said after laying down a card from his hand. "The Solstice will soon be upon us and shortly after that you shall leave. I'd like to know the answer to this problem by then, or at least have a possible solution."

Omi glanced at Yohji who was studying his hand.

"Well, father," the Prince said, lazily pulling a card from the pile in the center of the table and adding it to his own, "we've returned to Omi's original research...on twins."

King Renjiro frowned.

"Can you explain the reason why?" he asked.

Yohji met his father's eyes.

"A hunch," he replied.

The King nodded minutely and Omi noticed Ran marking the glance.

"And what have you discovered?" the King asked, watching the Queen lay down a card.

"Omi?" Yohji prompted.

"Not much, at least not yet, but it seems as if there's a cycle," the seer answered. "The professors you sent north twelve years ago make mention of the Flame's rebirth. From the way they worded things it sounds as if the nuns were expecting it, like it's a regularly occurring event. We've been searching for any evidence that may tell us how often it happens and what the event itself entails."

Omi paused as it was his turn and considered his cards. After a moment he chose one and laid it down, causing Ran to frown thoughtfully and the King and Queen to groan. Yohji smirked.

"But why return to your studies of twins?" Ran asked, drawing a card from the pile and pouting at it.

"Something Yohji found," Omi said. "Something that made us think that certain sets of twins might have something to do with the rebirth, or more accurately, the second born twin in certain sets. Ones with great healing potential and nightmares."

Everyone looked up in surprise and Ran frowned.

"So it would seem that my role in this has shrunk into obscurity," Keiji remarked.

"Sorry, Brother, but you are neither a twin nor a healer and this has been our only lead," Yohji said smiling in apology. "We intend to study the lineage of all the Great Houses and have started on this one, in fact. But so far there's only been one example and that's who inspired us."

Keiji shrugged.

"You think its Ken," Ran stated accusingly. "You think Ken is the one to renew the Sacred Flame."

"Yes, we do," Omi nodded, eyeing Ran's expression carefully.

"So what do I have 'ta do?" Ken asked, popping up from behind the settee and leaning against its back. He winked at Kishi who giggled.

"Well," Omi said, scratching the back of his head. "We still don't know."

Ken opened his mouth but was tackled from behind by Jomei before he could say anything, and they both disappeared back behind the settee with a thud. A high pitched squealing laugh followed.

"Jomei, control yourself," the Queen said loudly and the laugh petered down to a giggle.

Ran was still frowning.

"What do you mean you 'don't know'?" he demanded. "What sort of hunch inspired you to return to studying twins?"

"In the professors' records of the Sisterhood they made mention that the Sisters were hoping for someone referred to as an empty vessel...a nun without any magical potential," Yohji answered. "It sounded like the Flame had been renewed before. Like they were expecting it."

"That still doesn't explain just what Ken is supposed to do," Ran stated, laying down his cards. "Or what twins have to do with it."

"There's no actual account of it having been renewed," Yohji said.

"Not that we've been able to find," Omi added.

Ran's frown turned cross.

"So, everything you've discovered is nothing more than supposition and conjecture," the red-head stated.

"Pretty much," Yohji nodded.

Ran made a clicking sound in his throat and scowled down at his cards.

"But it has been renewed in the past. I'm convinced of that, so there must be an account somewhere," Omi persisted. "We just haven't found it yet."

"Perhaps there isn't one."

The group at the table turned to look at Princess Hanako. She had lowered her book and was listening to their conversation.

"If it is as you say and every so often the Sacred Flame fails and a healer is born to renew it," she said, "then by reason it must be a naturally occurring event. It may well be that no one has ever seen it happen, or even been aware that it was happening. Why, the healers themselves may not have even been aware of it, if it just happens when it needs to."

Everyone stared at her, Omi slack jawed.

"In fact, this brings to mind a story that mother used to read to us. The one where the Prince refilled the bowl with magic and saved the world. What did he do? Sent his spark into the sky, didn't he?" Hanako asked. "How big is a spark? Would you notice if Ken sent one into the sky?"

Omi glanced at Yohji.

"And even in the story it doesn't mention anyone bearing witness to the event. We only assume that someone saw it because the story is narrated, but what if the bowl were refilled and the Prince was there, but actually had nothing to do with it? Or someone put the pieces together afterwards through clues that we don't know about?" Hanako continued. "It seems to me that you're making an awfully big assumption. And if it were true that the Flame was renewed, every few hundred years say, then this one must really be in trouble. There haven't been twins as First Born since before the Great War. This Flame must be over two thousand years old at least."

Yohji cleared his throat and glanced at his father.

"Next time I need help with research I'm coming straight to you, Hanako-chan," Omi smiled.

The Princess blushed and ducked back behind her book.

"So, if Omi and Yohji are correct in their assumptions, and Hanako is right, then Ken should have the ability to renew the Flame already inside him," Ran stated, studying the backs of his cards. "But wouldn't we have seen it after his trial when he was stripped of his magic?"

"Perhaps its something he must be called upon to use," Aya suggested. "Maybe the time must be right and until then it remains hidden."

"A hidden gift?" Keiji said, pondering.

A particularly loud squeal came from behind the settee and Prince Jomei began chanting, "I win! I win! I win!"

Unable to resist looking, those at the table stood up to see just what was happening. Ken was flat on the floor on his stomach with Michio sprawled over him, and Jomei sitting proudly on top.

"I pinned them!" he declared proudly when he noticed everyone was watching.

Kishi giggled.

"Okay, that's enough," the Queen said sternly. "It's time for you to sit down and calmly read until bed."

"Hidden gift?" Keiji muttered again.

Yohji chuckled as Ran stepped around the settee and helped Ken up off the floor. The former servant smiled at him happily as the red-headed Lord automatically began straightening his rumpled clothing.

Michio and Jomei took two chairs next to Hanako, while Yohji and Aya pulled out folded cards and started writing.

"Aya, not you as well!" Ran demanded, staring incredulously at the Epiant Amoure card in his sister's hands.

She smiled up at him and shrugged.

"Sorry, Niisan," she giggled.

Ran gripped the bridge of his nose.

XXXXXXXXXX

"What was that card Aya was writing on?" Ken asked as they got ready for bed.

"Never mind," Ran answered darkly. He turned to look at Ken who was standing before the wardrobe newly designated as his. The former servant was undressing and dropping his clothes onto the floor in a messy heap. Ran felt his eyebrow twitch. "Ken, don't throw your things on the floor."

"I'm not gonna leave 'em there," the younger man said, pulling on his nightshirt.

Ran frowned at him for a moment longer before returning to carefully putting his own clothes away, and choosing the one's he would put on in the morning. He was endeavoring not to be distracted by Ken's presence.

It was silly really. They shared a bed every night, and baths together after practice everyday. But for some reason Ken undressing for bed was causing Ran's eyes to stray toward his companion and linger.

Ran mentally shook himself and took a firm hold on his emotions. Ken was his friend. His partner. Nothing more. He was doing this out of simple kindness and for no other reason. But as Ran felt his eyes slip to the left once again, just in time to see Ken bend over to retrieve his things, he had to admit that deep inside him was the hope that just maybe Ken could come to feel something more for him. Perhaps someday.

As he pulled his own nightshirt down over his head his sister's voice bubbled teasingly out of his memory.

...what's KenKen going to do when summer comes and you start sleeping in the buff?

Ran choked on the air and began to cough.

"Hey, you okay? Ran?"

He felt Ken thumping him on the back and struggled to breath normally.

"F-fine...I'm fine. Thank you," Ran wheezed.

"You're bright red," Ken commented. "You aren't getting sick are you?"

"No...no, I'm fine," he nodded.

"Okay, good," Ken said, moving away toward the bed. "I was just going to ask you if you wanted the window open. Its kinda warm in here."

"Oh," Ran said, gripping his forehead. "Its going to be a long summer."

XXXXXXXXXX

Author's Note: I made Epiant Amoure up. It means "spying love" in French, or its supposed to. I don't speak French!

Thanks to Cat in the web! Thank you, I'm so glad you liked it! Now you know what those pesky cards are for. What do ya think? ;)