Measureshipping (Shada x Karim)


Technically speaking, the palace had gardeners to do this sort of thing. Technically speaking, a high priest of the Millennium Items should probably not be on his knees in the dirt pruning flowers.

Karim really wasn't one to be bothered by things like technicalities, however.

He clipped carefully at the edges of the flowers, bringing them back to clean, pure beauty. He smiled at the bright red blossoms – poppies, the ambassadors who had brought them called them. They weren't used to a climate like this. They needed a lot of water, a lot of attention, more than the gardeners seemed to be able or willing to give.

"Playing with the flowers again, Karim?"

Karim glanced over his shoulder with a slight smile. Shada was walking towards him, a small smile on his usually impassive face.

"The gardeners don't know how to care for things like this," Karim said, gesturing to the bed of poppies.

"Was that other bed of flowers your work, too? The queen remarked on them earlier today. She likes them."

"Which ones? The cornflowers?"

"I believe so."

"Yes, I did those."

Shada smiled. He crouched down beside Karim to look at the poppies. He reached forward to cup one under his hand and tip it towards him, so that he could see into them.

"They look very happy," Shada said. "I think they like you."

Karim chuckled.

"I do my best for them. I've always loved the earth."

"It obviously loves you back, to give you such beautiful results that not even the trained gardeners can produce."

Shada stared into the flower for a moment longer. Then he slipped his hand away and stood again.

"They are beautiful," he said.

"I did not know you were so interested in flowers," Karim said.

Shada's eyes softened.

"I cannot imagine anyone would begrudge the small spots of joy that such color in the desert could produce," he said softly. "There is a peace here...one that you have cultivated. I thank you for that."

A soft breeze blew between them. It was true. There was a quiet here, something that rang softly between the blossoms bobbing in the breeze. Karim closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of the flowers.

He saw Isis drop to her knees as his monster dealt with the undead assaulting her.

"Isis!"

Shada ran to her.

"Thank the gods," Isis said, struggling to her feet.

"Where's Karim?" Shada asked, his heart racing.

Her expression faltered, and her eyes flickered to the building beside them. Shada followed her gaze.

His heart nearly stopped.

Karim lay against a pile of wood, eyes closed and chest heaving labored breaths. Blood stained his tunic, though from where, Shada couldn't be sure. Shada stumbled to the man's side.

"Karim. Karim!"

Karim's eyes fluttered and half opened. They seemed to have trouble focusing, but his gaze found Shada's face. He half smiled. But he had to take in another shuddering breath and the smile faded, his eyes squeezing shut against the pain.

Shada felt the blood draining from his face.

"Shada," he muttered. "Who...is protecting...the pharaoh...?"

"Don't worry," Shada said, gripping his shoulder. "We are going to him now. You stay here and rest."

Karim shook his head slightly.

"Shada...take...it..."

With a mighty tremble, Karim lifted his hand to Shada's. Blue light started to course around his arm and up to Shada's. Shada snatched his hand away.

"Karim, no."

Karim was smiling softly again.

"I want...you to have my energy...take what I...have left...to protect the pharaoh."

"Karim, no," Shada said. "I am strong enough – you need all of your energy..."

Karim reached out again. Shada stared at the trembling hand, refusing to take it.

"Please," Karim whispered. "Take care...of the flowers...for me?"

If Shada had spoken, he knew his voice would have broken. All he could do was grip Karim's hand and let the energy course between them. As the strength flooded back into his limbs and the fatigue faded, he choked on a barely concealed sob.

"Karim."

Karim's eyes had closed. The smile was still on his face.

"Karim."

He didn't answer. His grip slackened in Shada's hand. Shada clapped a hand over his mouth to hide the scream that was about to rip forth.

"Shada," Isis whispered. "Shada...I..."

Shada closed his eyes and shook his head. He was not yet ready to let go of Karim's hand.

"Take care of the flowers for me?"

Shada opened his eyes again, taking a steadying breath. He placed Karim's hand gently onto his chest, covering up the blood stain. He could have been asleep.

"Stay here," he whispered to Isis. "Regain your strength. I must go to the pharaoh."

Karim's power pulsed inside of him.

"Take care of the flowers for me?"

His hands curled into fists, imagining the laughing face of the thief, the bastard follower of the dark god, the one that had done this.

"I will," Shada muttered. "I will take care of the flowers."


A/N: I think I may be shipping it. I may be shipping it. Next is Mastershipping (Seto x Otogi).