That One Little Thing

~*~

There was something about her.

And Lord Taichi just couldn't put his finger on it. She had caught his eye from the start, and there was some feature that just…drew him to her. She was fragile and small-built, but he could tell she had that strength that all peasants do. Yet, she just… She was not like the other girls who paraded in front of him every year. She was not like Mimi, who was still undoubtedly beautiful. It was just…

Frustrating!

Lord Taichi slammed his fist on the table, clenching it tightly. It drove him mad! She drove him mad! He had never been so attracted to a girl in his entire life. They had never interested him enough, and Hikari, his mother, and especially his father had started to worry that he would produce no heir. It wasn't necessarily worrying that he couldn't find suitable concubines, but even at royal functions, the girls with whom he had been forced to dance had never sparked his interest.

But now…perhaps there was hope?

He had not told any of his family members about Kouko yet. Although, Hikari knew about her, but she did not know how crazy her was for her.

And to think, he had barely talked to her!

But that walk in the garden…it had only solidified the feelings all the more. She was perfect. Perfect in every way. She was everything he wanted – right?

But just what was it!?

"My Lord, may I enter?"

"Of course, of course," Lord Taichi replied, beckoning in Yamato.

"You…have been distressed lately, My Lord," Yamato said as he came from behind the curtain.

"No, really?" was his harsh retort.

Yamato stiffened. "I'm just expressing my concern."

"The attitude isn't necessary." (Yamato was very tempted to repeat those exact words back to him.) "Look…I've had a lot on my plate lately, okay? There're these stupid bandits out in the countryside whom I swear are just trying to provoke a war, and okaa-san won't stop bothering me about trite matters in all of her letters, and-"

"You and I both know that's not what you're really concerned about."

Lord Taichi opened his mouth to deny it, but he stopped and closed it slowly. Then he whispered, "How do you know?"

"Instincts, My Lord." Yamato sat down at the table. "There is something about that girl…it's just-"

"Incredible?" Lord Taichi interrupted, looking up, his eyes bright.

Yamato paused, for he did not expect that kind of emotion. "…Peculiar."

Lord Taichi frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"I don't know what it is," Yamato replied, pensive. "It's just…something doesn't seem right about her, but I can't put my finger on it."

Lord Taichi shook his head. "There is also something I can't figure out about her, but I don't think it's peculiar." He paused and took a breath. "It's what drives me crazy about her."

Yamato stared at his lord, almost incredulous. "Well…I suppose that's a good thing, then. But remember, My Lord: Falling in love with a concubine is-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know what you're gonna say." Lord Taichi sighed. "But I can't help it."

"How can you say you've already fallen in love?" Yamato asked seriously.

"I don't know! That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Lord Taichi huffed. "It's just…something."

They sat in silence for a while, both pondering the situation. "Well," Yamato said at last, "if you fall in love with her, you better make sure whomever you decide to marry eventually will accept that."

Lord Taichi held his head in his hands. "I can't even bear to think about it."

"What? Having to deal with that, or marrying someone else?"

"Both."

Yamato paused before he shook his head and almost started to laugh. "Honestly, I never thought I'd ever see you this way."

Lord Taichi punched his shoulder. "Thanks a lot, Yamato."

He decided he had permission to laugh. "Well, at least I'm honest."

"I guess." Lord Taichi sighed once more. "Do you think I'm crazy when I say it was love at first sight?"

"No…I wouldn't say that," Yamato said, unnaturally quiet.

"Well, I think I've convinced myself that it was." He paused. "And then when we were talking today… I could just feel the attraction between us. It was like…drawing us together. And she is so funny, Yamato! I could imagine talking to her for hours… She needs some coaxing, though, to open up a bit. And you know what she said to me?" He looked up at him, an excited expression on his face.

"What, My Lord?"

"That she's admired me ever since she saw my portrait." He jumped up in his elation. "It's destiny, Yamato!"

"Oh, come on now, you're acting delusional." But he was smirking. "Well, I suppose I can do nothing but be happy for you."

"Thanks." Lord Taichi grinned. "I'm actually feeling kind of better now. Who cares if I can't pinpoint exactly what it is that makes me so crazy about her? She feels the same… And I love her!"

"Are you going to request for her to…you know?"

"No, not yet," Lord Taichi replied, shaking his head. "She needs to feel more comfortable here…more comfortable with me. And besides…I-I want it to mean something."

Yamato smiled. "That is wise. But what about the other girls?"

"It will never be the same," Lord Taichi replied, becoming more solemn as he remembered them. "But I will not forget them."

Yamato nodded. "Alright, then."

"Perhaps I will ask Sora-chan tonight…she always calms me."

"…Yes, My Lord."

Lord Taichi nodded. "Now, I actually do have to reply to this ridiculous letter from my mother, so you may go."

Yamato rose and bowed. "Thank you, My Lord. I will talk to you later."

"Yes, see you then."

Yamato walked towards the door and slipped out, only to find Sora waiting outside of it.

She raised an eyebrow. "Love at first sight, huh?"

He promptly turned a rosy pink. He paused for a moment before he asked, "How much did you hear?"

"All of it," she replied. She smiled and shook her head. "I have to say that I am happy Lord Taichi is so excited about Kouko. And truly, I believe that Kouko is suitable for him. She is a wonderful girl."

Yamato nodded. "I would definitely like to get to know her. You're…you're not in any way upset?" His face was glum.

Sora touched his arm and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Of course not, Yamato-kun. Although, I shall have to think of you much, tonight…"

The blond blushed, even though he still had a straight face. "Ah, um, of course…"

Sora laughed lightly and kissed him again. "Oh, I'm sure you think of me plenty."

The blush deepened and his face morphed into nothing less than sheer embarrassment. "Ah, Sora-chan, I…!"

She laughed again. "Oh, Yamato-kun." She shook her head and wrapped her arms around him. "One day, I hope," she whispered.

Yamato completed the embrace. "I hope so, too, Sora-chan."

~*~

A/N: So I'm actually writing this in an Admiral's club in an airport… Winter vacation, yay! Hopefully I will be inspired to write more during this trip. Happy holidays to all!