Okay, Ryuuen's reaction to Nakago in this chapter was
meant to be a tale-tell sign of a deep secret and to
show what I meant by Ryuuen's fear of Power Wielders
being beyond a reasonable point. BUT it was also meant
to be funny. Unfortunately,I think I achieved all the
above EXCEPT the last bit. Oh well, try, try again I
guess.
Love Looks Not With the Eyes
Chapter 2
Meetings and Greetings
Ryuuen was still dressing in a groggy haze when he heard a carriage coming up the path to his home and stop. He heard his father go out to greet it. In a nervous flutter, he bit his lip and fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.
~*~
"Mr. Chou?" came a deep voice as a tall blond haired man stepped out in to the sunlight.
"Yes..." came a shakey, and apprehensive reply.
The blond finished steeping down and strode over to the shorter man with quick steps blue robes flourishing. He held a penetrating blue-eyed gaze upon the older man as he spoke, "I am Lord Nakago. I am still under the assumption that your boy will be coming with me, correct?"
The older man looked down sadly and nodded as he he confirmed it vocally. "He's still dressing sir."
Nakago lifted an eyebrow. His attention was then drawn to the doorway of the house as Ryuuen came out. Nakago's first impression of Ryuuen was that he was looking at a girl, but as the child nearer with wide, frightened eyes, the fact that Ryuuen was a boy became slightly clearer. Slightly.
Ryuuen's first impression of Nakago was that of looking at a giant. He'd never met or seen anyone so tall before. Nor as well-built. The closer he came to the man who was to be his master the more intimidated he became.
"Is this him?" asked the man with a flick of his blond hair.
"Yes." answered his father as Ryuuen finally stopped in front of the tall warlord gaping with his mouth open. Ryuuen saw a twitch on the man's lips occur, then he bent down in front of him in an effort to look at him more closely.
Suddenly Ryuuen was finding it very hard to breathe. He'd never been this intimidated by someone before.
"Ryuuen, that's your name right?" Nakago asked gently.
"Uh-huh.", came an open mouth reply, and Ryuuen continued to stare at the man's face.
"I am Lord Nakago. You'll be working for me and my family for now on is that all right with you?"
Ryuuen just stared. //Was it all right? Is it?// He couldn't think for some reason.
An uncomfortable smile came to the man's face as he looked at the boy more closely, then up at his father. "Such a lovely face..." he looked back at Ryuuen, "he looks a great deal like his mother. In fact it's very uncanny how much like a girl he looks. Does that bothers you at all, Ryuuen?"
Ryuuen's eyes just went wider and suddenly his head started to spin when he caught a glimpse of the Power Wielder's mark on the blond's forehead. The blue mark seemed to burn into his mind, destroying all other thoughts. //Power Wielder... Tall... big... very tall...//, was all that was stupidily going through his mind as he became far too intimidated to tolerate it anymore. //Hard to breathe... and my head... I'm gonna faint.//
Nakago opened his mouth to speak when both men's attention was drawn tot he young boy whom promptly passed out with an unattractive thud.
~*~
Someone was stroking his hair. He was aware that he must be riding in a carriage of some sort, because of how bumpy the ride was, yet he was able to fully stretched out.
He couldn't help the small smile that came to lips as he lay there. His mother used to stroke his hair when he was upset to soothe him, or try and put him to sleep. He knew it wasn't her. He was still conscious that she was dead. Besides the touch wasn't his mother's, or his sister's or any woman's. But he guessed it had to be a man's. The hand was large to his small size, and the touch spoke of restrained strength. It was as if the person was being careful not tobe rough. He didn't want to open his eyes; he was afraid of what he might find. Afraid it was his father and that he was silently crying.
But that couldn't be right. He was riding in a carriage. A servant maybe? Momentairly, Ryuuen squinted his eyes shut even more tightly in frustration. After debating back and forth, his curiousity got the better of him. He opened his eyes and his first impression of his surroundings were unfocused, but as the images became clear, the first thing he saw was a shock of blue fabric beneath his head. His head was obviously resting on somebody's lap. He looked ahead of him at the other side of the carriage seeing seats that were blue fabric trimmed in silver. They were well kempt. //I must be in Lord Nakago's carriage.//
He paused before turning his head and looking up at who stroking his hair. He'd been in denial that it could be Lord Nakago. But yet it indeed was. As he turned his head to the soothingness of stroking stopped and he was greeted with blue crystal colored eyes staring down at him. Ryuuen's natural reaction was to look up at his forehead and search for the blue mark, and upon seeing a small glimpse of it he shut his eyes and whimpered as if afarid something bad was now going to happen to him.
He felt a hand cup his cheek. Opening his eyes instinctivly he once again stared into the blue eyes of the Lord. "Are you sick Ryuuen?" asked the deep voice that belonged to the blond haired warrior.
"No," Ryuuen paused then thought it best to add a respectful sentiment to his simple answer, "sir".
He watched Nakago's hand as it laid to rest for a second on his forehead. "No fever. Must be from all the excitement then. Is that what is causing all these strange reactions from you Ryuuen?" Lord Nakago aske without any identifible _expression.
Ryuuen wasn't sure how to answer that. Or even if he was supposed to. "I don't know... sir." Adding 'sir' to the end of every sentence or question was so hard to remember for him.
Lord Nakago looked up briefly as if considering his next chain of words, then back down at Ryuuen thoughtfully. He took a deep breath and started stroking Ryuuen's hair again. "I understand. When I was about your age, I was forced to leave my home as well. Only I will NOT let you suffer the same kind of hell I went through..." Nakago's looked away from the boy his eyes suddenly seeming to go far away somewhere, then he unsuspectingly he flinched and shivered. He looked back down at Ryuuen who was staring at him with a mixture of terror and sympathy. His look was so innocent, completely unaware of what horrors a person could experience if they ended up in the wrong place amoung the wrong people. Nakago resolved to keep it that way.
"Sir?" came a childish inquiry after several long moments. The man's manner seemed strange to him. He was cold, or seemed so cold... but beneath it all Ryuuen could still see the remains of a kind, gentle heart. He wasn't afraid now when he looked up at the Power Wielder's mark. He was still scared- scared of this man himself to an extent, but not overwhelmingly anymore. If he could reach this man's heart, he'd be okay. He knew that somehow.
Nakago's mouth twisted into a tight smile as he began to stroke the boy's hair again. He kept the smile in place right up until Ryuuen fell back to sleep yet his eyes remained clouded over with echoes from the past.
~*~
Ryuuen came to hours later. Opening unfocused eyes, he was greeted with blackness, then when everythig became clear, he found it was nightfall and Diana was dressed in her velvet ebony gown studded with the diamonds of stars and her necklace of moonlight hung about her neck as she rode her chariot in the heavens. The moon and stars light streamed delicately through the carriage's windows. He lifted his head, surprized to find it had still remained in the lord's lap. Sitting up quietly he looked upon the lord's face. He was dozing softly, his head leaning againest the carriage's walls.
Ryuuen found himself smiling slightly. //Maybe being his servant won't be so bad afterall. He didn't even move me so he could be more comfortable. Maybe... just maybe, he's a good man.//
He looked out the window as the carriage had begun a route through a dark and gloomy wood. Feeling the bumps that the carriage rolled over as it proceeded forward and beginning to hear sounds he wasn't accustomed to Ryuuen began to get uneasy. He'd never been alone in the woods with his siblings and father each of them, including Houki had to carry daggers and knives as a precaution. Wolves and bears, along with animals that Ryuuen knew nothing of roamed those paths, and judging from the thickness and ebony night he could see out his window, this was no different, only he remembered his dad telling him a stories wood near Nakago's mansion...
He told the usual stories of highwaymen of course, but the one that had actually frightened Ryuuen was one his father told only ONCE.
He spoke of a woman who once went into the forest in search of it's precious mushrooms, and the rare flowers and herbs that this alone grew. She was to married the following day. She became lost, and night fell bringing a gathering mist. As she was gathering the wood to make a fire for herself her scent had been picked up by a pack of wolves. They ambushed her and killed her, bringing her mangled body to their master- a man with the gift of taming wolves for he himself was much like one. He, along with his animals ate her.
It is said that when mist fell and blanketed the forest's floor that it was she still trying to find her way out of the forest while still being forever chased by the wolves. If anyone on foot or carriage strayed into those woods at the time the mist fell, she- in her desperate desire to escape the beasts would lead them to the trespasser, and they died in the same manner she did and was cursed to forever join her in finding a way out.
Senses now on a higher alert than usual- accompained by a vivid imagination- his uneasiness slowly became a paranoid fear as the natural canopy above them became thicker, blocking out the silvery light above. He looked up, then down, then straight ahead with wide eyes and baited breath. Again up, then straight ahead, the encroaching paranoid fear becoming more tantalizing. There was a mist forming now amoung their surroundings. He gulped and with large eyes stared ahead. Suddenly he heard a howling- a wolf cry. Frantically, he pulled himself straighter up to look out the window, then stuck his head out looking for wolves. Finding none he listened keenly, his heart pounding in his ears. Nothing but owls and crickets and the sound of the wind in the wheels.
He let out a relieved breath then sank back into his seat letting his heartbeat slow as he looked back out more casually. But then a shilloutte running across the cloudy distance flew before his vision. His blood began to chill again as he heard another wolf cry.
His adrenline level went back up immediatly. He saw 2 more shadows follow the first and disappear into the mist. Another wolf cry- only nearer to the carriage now. He stuck his head out the window again, and saw 3 wolves following the carriage. He threw himself back in with a scream just as the carriage hit a hard bump. He peered out again terrified and still they followed.
Suddenly he felt something grab him pull him back in and swing him around. Yelping with the movement, he came face to face with the annoyed, tired, and perplexed face of Nakago. Gaping with his mouth open he tried to stutter out something about the wolves, only nothing came out. A softer look came to Nakago's face.
"Are you frightened?" he asked.
Slow to respond as he was still stunned with fright, the boy let the question regiester in his mind for a moment or two, then nodded a frantic yes.
"I take it that you've been told the story of "The Bride's Mist"?" Another nodd. Nakago let out a small laugh. "There are wolves following us, yes?" Another frantic nod. "Good. Then MY guard dogs are doind their duty."
"G-guard dogs?" RYuuen squeaked out.
"Yes. We're almost home.Three of the wolves patrol the woods to keep out unwanted verman and trespassers. But trust me, they WON'T 'eat' anyone."
"The wolves in the tale you know of belong to a fellow Power Wielder named Ashitare. While the part about that poor woman's way of death is true, the ghost story isn't. But Ashitare and his wolves DO still exist and sometimes.... people DO meet the same fate as that bride did. But it is 'very' rare in MY forest. They mainly stay within the confines of Ashitare's mountians. However, occasionally when they and their master is famished with hunger- especially in the winter- they'll stray down here."
Ryuuen had slowly began to calm- but was none the less still creeped out by the whole ideal. He was afraid of dogs. Or rather afraid of large dogs. He didn't dislike them, but was just scared of them. It was a plaguing fear, though it did not effect him as badly as the Power Wielders did.
He looked down sheepishly, "Sorry..."
A warm smile that seemed strange yet lovely on the face of the blond haied man past. "You don't need to be. I was ten once too you know."
A relieved and funny giggle coming from his lips, Ryuuen felt less fightened of the Power Wielder than before.
"But remember to be careful anytime you enter my woods Ryuuen. Man eating wolves or not, they are still dangerous territory." Nakago warned then looked away out his own window.
Ryuuen nodded then settled back into his own seat thoughtfully. He looked back out the window. The forest still looked like a nightmare. It wasn't really that it looked scary- just cold and dark. He shivered. He had begun to think about the story again. As he proceeded to make himself jittery and jumpy again, he unconciously moved closer to Nakago.
He heard another wolf howl, and suddenly he felt very cold yet sweaty. Without realizing it he cuddled up againest the man's side, bringing his knees up to his chest as he continued to look out the window.
Nakago looked down with a furrowed brow; in both surprize and confusion. Suddenly he understood. He was scared again. Probably of more than the boy himself realized. With a feeling akin to fatherly attachment he put his arm around the boy's shoulders.
He felt the boy's head look up at him. He peered back down at him. Soothingly he said, "It's alright to be frightened, and...", the man looked away before he added, "it's okay to cry. If you need to cry, go ahead. I won't look and... I won't tell."
Ryuuen thought it strange that he said he wouldn't tell. He didn't care if he did tell right now. But suddenly he found himself overcome with the suggested urge, and burying his face in the fabric of the clothing Nakago wore he wept.
~*~
Eventually they came to a long winding, open road about 3 miles from the forest. Daylight's dawning glory was streaming inside the carriage. Ryuuen had fallen asleep again admist his tears oddly finding comfort in the fatherly affection of a stranger. His head hurt from his crying. His eyes itched from dryness making him sensitive to the bright light of the day. He looked out the window and began to see open fields and meadows, then once the sun had risen to it's station he had begun to see a lawn and garden and a portion of his new home.
They did a series of zigzagging turns obscuring his view all of the sudden were barriers of trees and shrubbery. This continued for several minutes, then when all the life about him seemed to enclose around him like a tight natural circle that they passed under an archway of trees and came to open space, giving Ryuuen a full view of Nakago's home. It was unlike any place Ryuuen had seen before. It looked beautiful and entrancing, but also unwelcoming and frightening. Like it was created to be pleasing to the eye but absent of the feeling of... home.
Finally they reached the entrance and the carriage stopped with a jolt. Ryuuen bounced forward, only to be caught by Nakago's firm grip on his shoulder. He looked up at him with a thankful gaze and to watch him reach down to open the carriage door before the footman could get around the vehicle to scramble for it. He kicked a small, stool-like ladder into the open and stepped out being bathed in the warm glow of sunlight. Ryuuen followed suit. Once he stepped out he could hear Nakago addressing the footman and coachman. Quietly, he came to the lord's side.
"Take the coach to it's station, and see to the horses. Then take the rest of the day off to rest. Both of you. It's been a long night."
"Yes, milord." replied the coachman gratefully as the footman made his way back up on the coachman's bench. The weary coach party drove off leaving a small cloud of dust behind them.
Nakago glancing down at Ryuuen watching as the sleepy boy gazed gazed after the coach. Silently, he bent down and grabbed his hand, causing the boy to look up at him with big eyes.
"Come along Ryuuen. Time for you to meet my wife and daughters." With that he looked ahead and lead Ryuuen within the walls of his home.
~*~
The 2 girls stared back at the purple haired boy with bright eyes. A tint of pink was found on the oldest one's cheeks as she smiled at him catching his eyes with hers.
"Ryuuen, this is my wife Soi."
A tall, slender, beautiful woman smiled behind the girls. She was clad in a blue gown of thin material that clung tightly to her figure despite it's loose cut. It seemed to be made of that new material his father had imported in called silk. She stepped forward to the boy and bent down, examining him with eyes as blue as her husband's.
"Hello Ryuuen." She looked at him from side to side a waterfall of honey colored hair falling over her shoulders. "My aren't you a handsome one..." She let out a giggle with a big, friendly smile. One Ryuuen couldn't help returning. She stood up still smiling. "Mimi... Kim... come here and meet Ryuuen."
The two girls stepped forward and curtseyed with a "how do you do" that Ryuuen could tell had been taught to them for greeting a new person since they were 3 years old.
"Ryuuen will be your personal servant and hopefully a friend." Nakago said laying the hand he had held Ryuuen's with upon Ryuuen's head.
Ryuuen, as a result raised his eyes to try to look unsuccessfully at the light weight that was upon his crown. As Ryuuen looked back down and gave them a weak smile.
Blushing the oldest girl giggled and the other one looked like she was ready to jump up and down with pint up energy.
"Ryuuen, girls, I leave you to play whatever games you kids play anymore."
//The first that comes mind is 'tea party', and 'house'. Or is it 'wedding day' again? Oh lord.... // Ryuuen turned and looked behind him at the retreating couple. He turned back letting out a nervous laugh.
They all peered back at each other for several moments before Mimi, the oldest, ran forward and grabbed his hand then began to tugging him forward as she ran ahead with him in tow.
She yelled as she ran leading him out unto the grounds through her door, "I know what we can play! Wedding Day! And Ryuuen can be the bride!!!"
Ryuuen groaned as he heard Kim and Mimi giggle in delight.
Love Looks Not With the Eyes
Chapter 2
Meetings and Greetings
Ryuuen was still dressing in a groggy haze when he heard a carriage coming up the path to his home and stop. He heard his father go out to greet it. In a nervous flutter, he bit his lip and fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.
~*~
"Mr. Chou?" came a deep voice as a tall blond haired man stepped out in to the sunlight.
"Yes..." came a shakey, and apprehensive reply.
The blond finished steeping down and strode over to the shorter man with quick steps blue robes flourishing. He held a penetrating blue-eyed gaze upon the older man as he spoke, "I am Lord Nakago. I am still under the assumption that your boy will be coming with me, correct?"
The older man looked down sadly and nodded as he he confirmed it vocally. "He's still dressing sir."
Nakago lifted an eyebrow. His attention was then drawn to the doorway of the house as Ryuuen came out. Nakago's first impression of Ryuuen was that he was looking at a girl, but as the child nearer with wide, frightened eyes, the fact that Ryuuen was a boy became slightly clearer. Slightly.
Ryuuen's first impression of Nakago was that of looking at a giant. He'd never met or seen anyone so tall before. Nor as well-built. The closer he came to the man who was to be his master the more intimidated he became.
"Is this him?" asked the man with a flick of his blond hair.
"Yes." answered his father as Ryuuen finally stopped in front of the tall warlord gaping with his mouth open. Ryuuen saw a twitch on the man's lips occur, then he bent down in front of him in an effort to look at him more closely.
Suddenly Ryuuen was finding it very hard to breathe. He'd never been this intimidated by someone before.
"Ryuuen, that's your name right?" Nakago asked gently.
"Uh-huh.", came an open mouth reply, and Ryuuen continued to stare at the man's face.
"I am Lord Nakago. You'll be working for me and my family for now on is that all right with you?"
Ryuuen just stared. //Was it all right? Is it?// He couldn't think for some reason.
An uncomfortable smile came to the man's face as he looked at the boy more closely, then up at his father. "Such a lovely face..." he looked back at Ryuuen, "he looks a great deal like his mother. In fact it's very uncanny how much like a girl he looks. Does that bothers you at all, Ryuuen?"
Ryuuen's eyes just went wider and suddenly his head started to spin when he caught a glimpse of the Power Wielder's mark on the blond's forehead. The blue mark seemed to burn into his mind, destroying all other thoughts. //Power Wielder... Tall... big... very tall...//, was all that was stupidily going through his mind as he became far too intimidated to tolerate it anymore. //Hard to breathe... and my head... I'm gonna faint.//
Nakago opened his mouth to speak when both men's attention was drawn tot he young boy whom promptly passed out with an unattractive thud.
~*~
Someone was stroking his hair. He was aware that he must be riding in a carriage of some sort, because of how bumpy the ride was, yet he was able to fully stretched out.
He couldn't help the small smile that came to lips as he lay there. His mother used to stroke his hair when he was upset to soothe him, or try and put him to sleep. He knew it wasn't her. He was still conscious that she was dead. Besides the touch wasn't his mother's, or his sister's or any woman's. But he guessed it had to be a man's. The hand was large to his small size, and the touch spoke of restrained strength. It was as if the person was being careful not tobe rough. He didn't want to open his eyes; he was afraid of what he might find. Afraid it was his father and that he was silently crying.
But that couldn't be right. He was riding in a carriage. A servant maybe? Momentairly, Ryuuen squinted his eyes shut even more tightly in frustration. After debating back and forth, his curiousity got the better of him. He opened his eyes and his first impression of his surroundings were unfocused, but as the images became clear, the first thing he saw was a shock of blue fabric beneath his head. His head was obviously resting on somebody's lap. He looked ahead of him at the other side of the carriage seeing seats that were blue fabric trimmed in silver. They were well kempt. //I must be in Lord Nakago's carriage.//
He paused before turning his head and looking up at who stroking his hair. He'd been in denial that it could be Lord Nakago. But yet it indeed was. As he turned his head to the soothingness of stroking stopped and he was greeted with blue crystal colored eyes staring down at him. Ryuuen's natural reaction was to look up at his forehead and search for the blue mark, and upon seeing a small glimpse of it he shut his eyes and whimpered as if afarid something bad was now going to happen to him.
He felt a hand cup his cheek. Opening his eyes instinctivly he once again stared into the blue eyes of the Lord. "Are you sick Ryuuen?" asked the deep voice that belonged to the blond haired warrior.
"No," Ryuuen paused then thought it best to add a respectful sentiment to his simple answer, "sir".
He watched Nakago's hand as it laid to rest for a second on his forehead. "No fever. Must be from all the excitement then. Is that what is causing all these strange reactions from you Ryuuen?" Lord Nakago aske without any identifible _expression.
Ryuuen wasn't sure how to answer that. Or even if he was supposed to. "I don't know... sir." Adding 'sir' to the end of every sentence or question was so hard to remember for him.
Lord Nakago looked up briefly as if considering his next chain of words, then back down at Ryuuen thoughtfully. He took a deep breath and started stroking Ryuuen's hair again. "I understand. When I was about your age, I was forced to leave my home as well. Only I will NOT let you suffer the same kind of hell I went through..." Nakago's looked away from the boy his eyes suddenly seeming to go far away somewhere, then he unsuspectingly he flinched and shivered. He looked back down at Ryuuen who was staring at him with a mixture of terror and sympathy. His look was so innocent, completely unaware of what horrors a person could experience if they ended up in the wrong place amoung the wrong people. Nakago resolved to keep it that way.
"Sir?" came a childish inquiry after several long moments. The man's manner seemed strange to him. He was cold, or seemed so cold... but beneath it all Ryuuen could still see the remains of a kind, gentle heart. He wasn't afraid now when he looked up at the Power Wielder's mark. He was still scared- scared of this man himself to an extent, but not overwhelmingly anymore. If he could reach this man's heart, he'd be okay. He knew that somehow.
Nakago's mouth twisted into a tight smile as he began to stroke the boy's hair again. He kept the smile in place right up until Ryuuen fell back to sleep yet his eyes remained clouded over with echoes from the past.
~*~
Ryuuen came to hours later. Opening unfocused eyes, he was greeted with blackness, then when everythig became clear, he found it was nightfall and Diana was dressed in her velvet ebony gown studded with the diamonds of stars and her necklace of moonlight hung about her neck as she rode her chariot in the heavens. The moon and stars light streamed delicately through the carriage's windows. He lifted his head, surprized to find it had still remained in the lord's lap. Sitting up quietly he looked upon the lord's face. He was dozing softly, his head leaning againest the carriage's walls.
Ryuuen found himself smiling slightly. //Maybe being his servant won't be so bad afterall. He didn't even move me so he could be more comfortable. Maybe... just maybe, he's a good man.//
He looked out the window as the carriage had begun a route through a dark and gloomy wood. Feeling the bumps that the carriage rolled over as it proceeded forward and beginning to hear sounds he wasn't accustomed to Ryuuen began to get uneasy. He'd never been alone in the woods with his siblings and father each of them, including Houki had to carry daggers and knives as a precaution. Wolves and bears, along with animals that Ryuuen knew nothing of roamed those paths, and judging from the thickness and ebony night he could see out his window, this was no different, only he remembered his dad telling him a stories wood near Nakago's mansion...
He told the usual stories of highwaymen of course, but the one that had actually frightened Ryuuen was one his father told only ONCE.
He spoke of a woman who once went into the forest in search of it's precious mushrooms, and the rare flowers and herbs that this alone grew. She was to married the following day. She became lost, and night fell bringing a gathering mist. As she was gathering the wood to make a fire for herself her scent had been picked up by a pack of wolves. They ambushed her and killed her, bringing her mangled body to their master- a man with the gift of taming wolves for he himself was much like one. He, along with his animals ate her.
It is said that when mist fell and blanketed the forest's floor that it was she still trying to find her way out of the forest while still being forever chased by the wolves. If anyone on foot or carriage strayed into those woods at the time the mist fell, she- in her desperate desire to escape the beasts would lead them to the trespasser, and they died in the same manner she did and was cursed to forever join her in finding a way out.
Senses now on a higher alert than usual- accompained by a vivid imagination- his uneasiness slowly became a paranoid fear as the natural canopy above them became thicker, blocking out the silvery light above. He looked up, then down, then straight ahead with wide eyes and baited breath. Again up, then straight ahead, the encroaching paranoid fear becoming more tantalizing. There was a mist forming now amoung their surroundings. He gulped and with large eyes stared ahead. Suddenly he heard a howling- a wolf cry. Frantically, he pulled himself straighter up to look out the window, then stuck his head out looking for wolves. Finding none he listened keenly, his heart pounding in his ears. Nothing but owls and crickets and the sound of the wind in the wheels.
He let out a relieved breath then sank back into his seat letting his heartbeat slow as he looked back out more casually. But then a shilloutte running across the cloudy distance flew before his vision. His blood began to chill again as he heard another wolf cry.
His adrenline level went back up immediatly. He saw 2 more shadows follow the first and disappear into the mist. Another wolf cry- only nearer to the carriage now. He stuck his head out the window again, and saw 3 wolves following the carriage. He threw himself back in with a scream just as the carriage hit a hard bump. He peered out again terrified and still they followed.
Suddenly he felt something grab him pull him back in and swing him around. Yelping with the movement, he came face to face with the annoyed, tired, and perplexed face of Nakago. Gaping with his mouth open he tried to stutter out something about the wolves, only nothing came out. A softer look came to Nakago's face.
"Are you frightened?" he asked.
Slow to respond as he was still stunned with fright, the boy let the question regiester in his mind for a moment or two, then nodded a frantic yes.
"I take it that you've been told the story of "The Bride's Mist"?" Another nodd. Nakago let out a small laugh. "There are wolves following us, yes?" Another frantic nod. "Good. Then MY guard dogs are doind their duty."
"G-guard dogs?" RYuuen squeaked out.
"Yes. We're almost home.Three of the wolves patrol the woods to keep out unwanted verman and trespassers. But trust me, they WON'T 'eat' anyone."
"The wolves in the tale you know of belong to a fellow Power Wielder named Ashitare. While the part about that poor woman's way of death is true, the ghost story isn't. But Ashitare and his wolves DO still exist and sometimes.... people DO meet the same fate as that bride did. But it is 'very' rare in MY forest. They mainly stay within the confines of Ashitare's mountians. However, occasionally when they and their master is famished with hunger- especially in the winter- they'll stray down here."
Ryuuen had slowly began to calm- but was none the less still creeped out by the whole ideal. He was afraid of dogs. Or rather afraid of large dogs. He didn't dislike them, but was just scared of them. It was a plaguing fear, though it did not effect him as badly as the Power Wielders did.
He looked down sheepishly, "Sorry..."
A warm smile that seemed strange yet lovely on the face of the blond haied man past. "You don't need to be. I was ten once too you know."
A relieved and funny giggle coming from his lips, Ryuuen felt less fightened of the Power Wielder than before.
"But remember to be careful anytime you enter my woods Ryuuen. Man eating wolves or not, they are still dangerous territory." Nakago warned then looked away out his own window.
Ryuuen nodded then settled back into his own seat thoughtfully. He looked back out the window. The forest still looked like a nightmare. It wasn't really that it looked scary- just cold and dark. He shivered. He had begun to think about the story again. As he proceeded to make himself jittery and jumpy again, he unconciously moved closer to Nakago.
He heard another wolf howl, and suddenly he felt very cold yet sweaty. Without realizing it he cuddled up againest the man's side, bringing his knees up to his chest as he continued to look out the window.
Nakago looked down with a furrowed brow; in both surprize and confusion. Suddenly he understood. He was scared again. Probably of more than the boy himself realized. With a feeling akin to fatherly attachment he put his arm around the boy's shoulders.
He felt the boy's head look up at him. He peered back down at him. Soothingly he said, "It's alright to be frightened, and...", the man looked away before he added, "it's okay to cry. If you need to cry, go ahead. I won't look and... I won't tell."
Ryuuen thought it strange that he said he wouldn't tell. He didn't care if he did tell right now. But suddenly he found himself overcome with the suggested urge, and burying his face in the fabric of the clothing Nakago wore he wept.
~*~
Eventually they came to a long winding, open road about 3 miles from the forest. Daylight's dawning glory was streaming inside the carriage. Ryuuen had fallen asleep again admist his tears oddly finding comfort in the fatherly affection of a stranger. His head hurt from his crying. His eyes itched from dryness making him sensitive to the bright light of the day. He looked out the window and began to see open fields and meadows, then once the sun had risen to it's station he had begun to see a lawn and garden and a portion of his new home.
They did a series of zigzagging turns obscuring his view all of the sudden were barriers of trees and shrubbery. This continued for several minutes, then when all the life about him seemed to enclose around him like a tight natural circle that they passed under an archway of trees and came to open space, giving Ryuuen a full view of Nakago's home. It was unlike any place Ryuuen had seen before. It looked beautiful and entrancing, but also unwelcoming and frightening. Like it was created to be pleasing to the eye but absent of the feeling of... home.
Finally they reached the entrance and the carriage stopped with a jolt. Ryuuen bounced forward, only to be caught by Nakago's firm grip on his shoulder. He looked up at him with a thankful gaze and to watch him reach down to open the carriage door before the footman could get around the vehicle to scramble for it. He kicked a small, stool-like ladder into the open and stepped out being bathed in the warm glow of sunlight. Ryuuen followed suit. Once he stepped out he could hear Nakago addressing the footman and coachman. Quietly, he came to the lord's side.
"Take the coach to it's station, and see to the horses. Then take the rest of the day off to rest. Both of you. It's been a long night."
"Yes, milord." replied the coachman gratefully as the footman made his way back up on the coachman's bench. The weary coach party drove off leaving a small cloud of dust behind them.
Nakago glancing down at Ryuuen watching as the sleepy boy gazed gazed after the coach. Silently, he bent down and grabbed his hand, causing the boy to look up at him with big eyes.
"Come along Ryuuen. Time for you to meet my wife and daughters." With that he looked ahead and lead Ryuuen within the walls of his home.
~*~
The 2 girls stared back at the purple haired boy with bright eyes. A tint of pink was found on the oldest one's cheeks as she smiled at him catching his eyes with hers.
"Ryuuen, this is my wife Soi."
A tall, slender, beautiful woman smiled behind the girls. She was clad in a blue gown of thin material that clung tightly to her figure despite it's loose cut. It seemed to be made of that new material his father had imported in called silk. She stepped forward to the boy and bent down, examining him with eyes as blue as her husband's.
"Hello Ryuuen." She looked at him from side to side a waterfall of honey colored hair falling over her shoulders. "My aren't you a handsome one..." She let out a giggle with a big, friendly smile. One Ryuuen couldn't help returning. She stood up still smiling. "Mimi... Kim... come here and meet Ryuuen."
The two girls stepped forward and curtseyed with a "how do you do" that Ryuuen could tell had been taught to them for greeting a new person since they were 3 years old.
"Ryuuen will be your personal servant and hopefully a friend." Nakago said laying the hand he had held Ryuuen's with upon Ryuuen's head.
Ryuuen, as a result raised his eyes to try to look unsuccessfully at the light weight that was upon his crown. As Ryuuen looked back down and gave them a weak smile.
Blushing the oldest girl giggled and the other one looked like she was ready to jump up and down with pint up energy.
"Ryuuen, girls, I leave you to play whatever games you kids play anymore."
//The first that comes mind is 'tea party', and 'house'. Or is it 'wedding day' again? Oh lord.... // Ryuuen turned and looked behind him at the retreating couple. He turned back letting out a nervous laugh.
They all peered back at each other for several moments before Mimi, the oldest, ran forward and grabbed his hand then began to tugging him forward as she ran ahead with him in tow.
She yelled as she ran leading him out unto the grounds through her door, "I know what we can play! Wedding Day! And Ryuuen can be the bride!!!"
Ryuuen groaned as he heard Kim and Mimi giggle in delight.