Love Looks Not With
The Eyes
Chapter 3
The First Kiss
Ryuuen sat visibly unhappy about his situation as his new mistresses primped him into looking like a bride. They even got their mother in on it. She was putting on the makeup. Soi kept giving him apologetic looks as she applied it. But even he had to admit... if he was a girl, he looked very pretty. He didn't really mind all this, it's just he always had to be the bride when he played the game with Houki. Houki used every opportunity to get out of her "lady's" clothes.
The girls had at first picked out a rather interesting set of color combined dresses and outfits for him. In short things even Lady Soi raised an eyebrow at and "suggested" that they at least try to pick something that matched. And proceeded to pull out lovely dresses, that were surely the girls best.
"But daddy said we can't play in those." whined Mimi.
"You aren't, Ryuuen is." she said bringing a dress over to Ryuuen and holding it againest him as he, embarrassed, tried to pretend he was part of the woodwork. "Besides, this one's too big for you right now anyway, but Ryuuen might be able to fit it."
"I won't get in to trouble, will I?" asked Ryuuen suspiciously as she pulled it over him.
"No dear. After all, I'm the one who told you to. Besides I figured you'd rather wear this than any of those..." she nodded to the pile of clothes on the bed. "Also I think you're more responsible than they are about your clothes."
"I try to be. Dad was a fabric merchant."
"Exactly my thoughts."
"HEY!!! Who's gonna be the groom?" Kim asked running to her mom. "Me and Mimi are the bridesmaids, and you're doing the ceremony...."
"I don't know honey, maybe daddy...." Soi began when she began to hear a loud shuffling of steps from multiple servants. Excited yelling ensued followed by her husband's voice booming through the halls barking orders at everyone. That could only mean one of 2 things. It was either Taiits-kun or the emperor's carriage.
"Girls! Girls! And, ah, Ryuuen.... we're having visitors. On your best behavior. Ryuuen you can stay here if you like." She gave him a sympathetic smile. "Come a long girls." Soi said causing the two to line up behind her and march out with her in front.
Ryuuen curled up on a fur rug and was determined to stay put until he heard one of the servants excited whispers, " It's the Imperial carriage. It's the emperor and his sons, and their intended brides."
Ryuuen's eyes shot open at that. // The princes are here? And maybe... maybe... HOUKI!// He got up and rushed out the door, down the flights of stairs his apparel and makeup forgotten. Servants gave him peculiar looks as he past. Then he stopped in the open doorway. There he saw them. They were talking to Nakago. Houki was among them. But then...
// No, she's... she's leaving!!!!// He ran out just as the carriage door closed.
"HOUKI!" he screamed in desperation.
His sister's face appeared in the window. She looked perplexed then realization dawned on her face. "Ryuuen!" He stopped running at her next words, "Don't worry about me! I'll be fine!", and with that the carriage sped off leaving only the memory of her smile in it's wake.
"Why are you dressed like that?" Nakago inquired behind him making Ryuuen jump.
"We were playing wedding day!" Mimi sang cheerfully.
Nakago raised an eyebrow. "And you're the bride? Yes?"
Ryuuen bowed his head and nodded. Then he looked up when he heard chuckling.
"You look...," more contained laughter, "very nice dear. Just don't get the dress dirty." With a contained sense of amusement, Nakago turned and disappeared inside arm about the waist of his wife.
"Houki? You call her ladyship that?" inquired a voice unfamiliar to him.
Ryuuen looked towards it and his eyes widened, but his mouth seemed to know what to say, "Yes she is my sister sire." // This is the prince! One of the emperor's sons. Oh my gods. Oh my gods. Oh my gods.//
There standing a head taller, with a proud stature, black hair shining in the light, critically examining the specimen before him was indeed the one of the princes. Not only that, but heir to their region judging by the embroidery on his clothing.
"Your sister?" He cocked an eyebrow, and his scrutiny became even more intense, then he released him with a small smile. "I see the resemblance."
He turned to Mimi and Kim, who had come to stand beside the prince and were also staring at Ryuuen intensely- as to point it was beginning to make him feel self-conscious.
"We were playing wedding day... Ryuuen," Mimi pointed to Ryuuen, "is the bride."
"Oh." He looked back to Ryuuen. "Then I guess that makes me the groom."
"Yes."chimed Mimi and Kim in unison.
He moved to stand directly before Ryuuen. A smile brightened the prince's face. "And what a lovely bride you make."
Then before anyone knew what was happening, the prince bent down and kissed Ryuuen full on the lips. There was a moment of silence before this fact settled into everyone's brain, and registered for action. Mimi screamed. Kim started laughing. And Ryuuen... well, Ryuuen just stood there with big, surprised eyes- shocked into stupor.
It was over almost as soon as it happened, then when Mimi started yelling, "Oh my gods! Oh my gods! Oh my gods!", it jilted Ryuuen back into reality and upon realizing what happened flushed a deep crimson then turned on his heel and sped off with out a destination, and with out realizing that he had no idea where he was headed either. Nor did it occur to him that he needed to ask for leave before exiting from the prince's presence.
The prince just stood there staring after him in confusion. Finally Mimi recovered enough of her senses to stop muttering and run up to the prince's side. The prince looked back at her with a furrowed brow. "What happened? Why did she run away?"
Mimi looked back and exchanged a look with Kim. Kim continued giggling as she found this highly amusing, not knowing what was so wrong with the idea of the prince kissing another boy.
"Um, because she is a he sire." Mimi said sheepishly.
"WHAT?!!" the prince bellowed forcing both girls to jump back in alarm.
~~*~~
Ryuuen had run until his legs seemed too exhausted to carry him any further. He stopped, catching his breath then looked ahead. There on the top of a grassy hill was a tree. A Weeping Willow. It seemed to whisper his name with the rippling of it's leaves, promising peace and tranquility. Sanctuary. Head full of the last two days, he walked up the slope to it, heeding it's blissful invitation to collect him in her arms and shelter him.
Once under it's shady protection he reached out to touch the bark on it's trunk. He liked the feeling of it. Cool and hard, yet with an air of fragility. Thinking of what had just happened, he leaned forward to rest on it's pillar. // Why'd the prince have to kiss me?// He shook his head. The rest to this stupid day had been awful, so why shouldn't that have happened? He sighed and carefully sat down on the earth beneath him, gathering a few strands of grass in his hands. He toyed with them until he heard HIS voice again.
"Hi."
Ryuuen looked up at him then away and sighed again. Rolling his eyes he lifted himself up to stand before the taller boy. "Hi."
The prince looked down then back up at him with an intense gaze. //Golden eyes... They're pretty. What the hell? Why am I even thinking that. Wait there's nothing wrong with thinking that a person's eyes are pretty. After all both my brother and my sister have pretty eyes. So there's nothing wrong with that. I think... //
While this thought process was going on, Ryuuen became aware that the prince was speaking to him. Immediately he began to focus on it.
"Didn't realize you were a boy..." he said with genuine regret. "I thought you were a GIRL. You... you look like a girl." He noticed an arch in the eyebrow this caused on Ryuuen's part accompanied by a fire of anger that was definitely coming to life in his eyes. "I mean dressed like that and with the makeup and things... You... you look like a very pretty girl. Sorry."
He watched as Ryuuen's eyebrows came together. // Probably deciding whether or not he should clobber me or forgive me. But he does look SO much like a girl. His looks are so soft.... AUGH! Don't think about that... Ryuuen's a boy....// Finally a weak smile came to Ryuuen's lips.
"Apology accepted."
A breath of relief escaped the prince's lips as he returned it. "I'm Saihitei. Just call me Sai. NOT your highness or anything like that... I HATE that."
Ryuuen nodded. "Ryuuen. And I'm a boy." Only Ryuuen said the last bit with a teasing smile and both boy's laughter rang out as one.
~~*~~
Three months past and Ryuuen spent it learning his new duties, which included doing what the snickering guys that worked for Nakago called "women's work". The others he spent beneath the willow, unless he was being forced to play with the girls. He never minded playing the games they played with his sister, but he also didn't have to do his sister's hair on a regular basis either.
He wanted to go outside and get dirty, Play one person bounce the ball, run the fields and climb trees. He wanted to read by the fire and get up at noon. But he couldn't do that anymore. Well, he could, except if his clothes got dirty or his hair got messed up, or his legs became scuffed he had to go all day without a replacement, or without bandages. And he ALWAYS had to look presentable for his mistresses. They didn't care if he was sweaty or his hair was a little disheveled.... but he couldn't have dirt on his face, under his nails, or on his clothes.
He was able to take whole days off to play when Sai came though. It occurred to Ryuuen that Sai spent more time with him than with Mimi and Kim (which was what he was supposed to be doing).
On this particular day he and Sai were having a mock sword fight with sticks for weapons. Mimi and Kim had retreated into a corner to have a tea party and ignore the boys.
"HA! I got you!" cried Ryuuen when he noticed that they seemed to get into a position that appeared to be to Ryuuen's advantage.
"You think so eh?" said Sai evenly with a snicker. Then before Ryuuen could figure out that somewhere Sai knew he was the one with the advantage, the prince had spun Ryuuen's stick around and out and swung around his weapon stopping at the side of Ryuuen's neck with a prick of pain. If that had been a real sword fight Ryuuen would be dead and he knew it. Sai's eyes were wide in shock for some reason as Ryuuen stared back at him just as startled. The icy realization made a chill creep through Ryuuen's veins.
"You okay?" Sai asked with a cock of his head and worried look. "You've suddenly just gone pale. And I... I cut you..."
Ryuuen shook it off. "Yeah... yeah. I'm fine. I just need to sit down I think, and get a breath of fresh air."
"Okay go ahead..." The three witnesses gaze followed Ryuuen out the sliding door that led outside to the stone walkway, then to the gardens.
Upon exiting Ryuuen took a few deep gulps of the cool air, then walked to the steps that led out into the grounds and sat down. Then he heard footfalls and instantly knew it was Sai coming up behind him.
"I'll be okay Sai. Really I will." Ryuuen said without looking at the boy behind him.
"How'd you know it was me?" Sai asked bending down.
"By the sound of your footsteps. You know strong but light footfalls."
The prince's brow creased in thought at this. "Um, you know I was only joking ,right? I'd never really fight you. I just panicked, I guess. And my sword master's training just kicked in. Cause I just planned on tapping your arm... that's all..."
"It's all right. I know you didn't mean to scare me, or to cut me. You've been trained since you were 3 years old to sword fight. It was just a reflex. Don't worry about it." Ryuuen put a hand to his neck to feel the injured spot for the first time. A nip of pain shot up his neck at the contact. He winced, forced a smile on his face, then he held out a clean palm to show Sai, as the cut had already stopped bleeding. "See it's not even bleeding now."
"I'll never forgive myself for it." Sai mumbled.
Ryuuen frowned then slapped his arm. "Don't even try to hang on to it! You BETTER forgive yourself for it!" Ryuuen had found over the last couple months that ever since that first day Sai seemed to want to protect him all the time. He didn't understand why. He didn't think he looked that helpless.
Sai 'hmphed' then shook his head. "You don't understand do you? You're the only real friend I've ever had." He didn't think Ryuuen could compehend how lonely he got at times. Sai looked away as he felt his eyes get a little red, then widened in shock when he felt Ryuuen pull him into a hug.
Moments later he pulled away and gave him a cocky grin. "You sure have a strange way of making friends. Do you have any idea how messed up it is for me to say my first kiss came from another boy?" Immediately Ryuuen began to laugh hysterically when he saw the look on Sai's face when he said this.
"You're still not going on about when I kissed you, are you? I SWEAR...."
"Ryuuen," said a calm voice behind them. It made both boys jump then they turned to look at Nakago.
Quietly Ryuuen got up. "Yes sir?"
Nakago nodded at Sai in greeting. "With your permission highness I need to bring Ryuuen with me. I'm afraid I won't be able to return him to you for a few hours. I'm sure my daughters will be able to entertain you in his absence."
The two boys exchanged looks, then Sai nodded.
"Come with me Ryuuen." Nakago spoke as he turned away and began to walk. With out much choice Ryuuen followed. Then they heard Sai call out to Ryuuen causing both Nakago and he to turn.
"For the record it was mine too." At first Ryuuen was confused about what he meant then couldn't help giggling and blushing when he figured it out. // So we share the same problem in the kissing area. Good. I shouldn't be the only one... misery loves company, you know. Only I guess in this case embarrassment. // Sai nodded and realizing that Nakago was waiting, Ryuuen turned and began walking again. With a shake of his head and roll of his eyes Nakago quickly fell into step in front of Ryuuen.
Foreboding crept suddenly within Ryuuen's heart as they walked. He glanced up at the warrior worried. // Am I in trouble? But what for?//
As if sensing the boy's fears Nakago spoke up, "You're not in trouble Ryuuen. It's just there's someone here that I'm sure you would like to see."
Ryuuen stared back at him confused until he followed Nakago to a study and opened the door. His face became immediate delight as he rushed forward in boundless joy. "FATHER!!!"
He gathered the boy into a tearful, tight embrace and began the few short and happiest hours Ryuuen had experienced in months.
TBC... ( for better or for worse...)
For reference sake (AN): The sword position that I had in mind was one I had seen in the last Highlander film. Er, the one with Adrian Paul in it. If you watch it, you should be able to figure it out. Sorry it's just I don't know much about sword play, just different types of swords etc.
Version 2 of these chapters should be coming soon. I have fun doing version 2, it's just given RL circumstances my sense of humor slips away at times. Anyway, I plan to start working on them once I get up to chapter 7, which is where I have stopped for a breather.
Last of all, thanks to Ryuen for reviewing and C&Cing this chapter for me and making me feel better about it. ::hug:: Also thanks to Dalton, Tsukiori, and Vickie, and all the other lovely people who have reviewed this story thus far. ::glomps::
Chapter 3
The First Kiss
Ryuuen sat visibly unhappy about his situation as his new mistresses primped him into looking like a bride. They even got their mother in on it. She was putting on the makeup. Soi kept giving him apologetic looks as she applied it. But even he had to admit... if he was a girl, he looked very pretty. He didn't really mind all this, it's just he always had to be the bride when he played the game with Houki. Houki used every opportunity to get out of her "lady's" clothes.
The girls had at first picked out a rather interesting set of color combined dresses and outfits for him. In short things even Lady Soi raised an eyebrow at and "suggested" that they at least try to pick something that matched. And proceeded to pull out lovely dresses, that were surely the girls best.
"But daddy said we can't play in those." whined Mimi.
"You aren't, Ryuuen is." she said bringing a dress over to Ryuuen and holding it againest him as he, embarrassed, tried to pretend he was part of the woodwork. "Besides, this one's too big for you right now anyway, but Ryuuen might be able to fit it."
"I won't get in to trouble, will I?" asked Ryuuen suspiciously as she pulled it over him.
"No dear. After all, I'm the one who told you to. Besides I figured you'd rather wear this than any of those..." she nodded to the pile of clothes on the bed. "Also I think you're more responsible than they are about your clothes."
"I try to be. Dad was a fabric merchant."
"Exactly my thoughts."
"HEY!!! Who's gonna be the groom?" Kim asked running to her mom. "Me and Mimi are the bridesmaids, and you're doing the ceremony...."
"I don't know honey, maybe daddy...." Soi began when she began to hear a loud shuffling of steps from multiple servants. Excited yelling ensued followed by her husband's voice booming through the halls barking orders at everyone. That could only mean one of 2 things. It was either Taiits-kun or the emperor's carriage.
"Girls! Girls! And, ah, Ryuuen.... we're having visitors. On your best behavior. Ryuuen you can stay here if you like." She gave him a sympathetic smile. "Come a long girls." Soi said causing the two to line up behind her and march out with her in front.
Ryuuen curled up on a fur rug and was determined to stay put until he heard one of the servants excited whispers, " It's the Imperial carriage. It's the emperor and his sons, and their intended brides."
Ryuuen's eyes shot open at that. // The princes are here? And maybe... maybe... HOUKI!// He got up and rushed out the door, down the flights of stairs his apparel and makeup forgotten. Servants gave him peculiar looks as he past. Then he stopped in the open doorway. There he saw them. They were talking to Nakago. Houki was among them. But then...
// No, she's... she's leaving!!!!// He ran out just as the carriage door closed.
"HOUKI!" he screamed in desperation.
His sister's face appeared in the window. She looked perplexed then realization dawned on her face. "Ryuuen!" He stopped running at her next words, "Don't worry about me! I'll be fine!", and with that the carriage sped off leaving only the memory of her smile in it's wake.
"Why are you dressed like that?" Nakago inquired behind him making Ryuuen jump.
"We were playing wedding day!" Mimi sang cheerfully.
Nakago raised an eyebrow. "And you're the bride? Yes?"
Ryuuen bowed his head and nodded. Then he looked up when he heard chuckling.
"You look...," more contained laughter, "very nice dear. Just don't get the dress dirty." With a contained sense of amusement, Nakago turned and disappeared inside arm about the waist of his wife.
"Houki? You call her ladyship that?" inquired a voice unfamiliar to him.
Ryuuen looked towards it and his eyes widened, but his mouth seemed to know what to say, "Yes she is my sister sire." // This is the prince! One of the emperor's sons. Oh my gods. Oh my gods. Oh my gods.//
There standing a head taller, with a proud stature, black hair shining in the light, critically examining the specimen before him was indeed the one of the princes. Not only that, but heir to their region judging by the embroidery on his clothing.
"Your sister?" He cocked an eyebrow, and his scrutiny became even more intense, then he released him with a small smile. "I see the resemblance."
He turned to Mimi and Kim, who had come to stand beside the prince and were also staring at Ryuuen intensely- as to point it was beginning to make him feel self-conscious.
"We were playing wedding day... Ryuuen," Mimi pointed to Ryuuen, "is the bride."
"Oh." He looked back to Ryuuen. "Then I guess that makes me the groom."
"Yes."chimed Mimi and Kim in unison.
He moved to stand directly before Ryuuen. A smile brightened the prince's face. "And what a lovely bride you make."
Then before anyone knew what was happening, the prince bent down and kissed Ryuuen full on the lips. There was a moment of silence before this fact settled into everyone's brain, and registered for action. Mimi screamed. Kim started laughing. And Ryuuen... well, Ryuuen just stood there with big, surprised eyes- shocked into stupor.
It was over almost as soon as it happened, then when Mimi started yelling, "Oh my gods! Oh my gods! Oh my gods!", it jilted Ryuuen back into reality and upon realizing what happened flushed a deep crimson then turned on his heel and sped off with out a destination, and with out realizing that he had no idea where he was headed either. Nor did it occur to him that he needed to ask for leave before exiting from the prince's presence.
The prince just stood there staring after him in confusion. Finally Mimi recovered enough of her senses to stop muttering and run up to the prince's side. The prince looked back at her with a furrowed brow. "What happened? Why did she run away?"
Mimi looked back and exchanged a look with Kim. Kim continued giggling as she found this highly amusing, not knowing what was so wrong with the idea of the prince kissing another boy.
"Um, because she is a he sire." Mimi said sheepishly.
"WHAT?!!" the prince bellowed forcing both girls to jump back in alarm.
~~*~~
Ryuuen had run until his legs seemed too exhausted to carry him any further. He stopped, catching his breath then looked ahead. There on the top of a grassy hill was a tree. A Weeping Willow. It seemed to whisper his name with the rippling of it's leaves, promising peace and tranquility. Sanctuary. Head full of the last two days, he walked up the slope to it, heeding it's blissful invitation to collect him in her arms and shelter him.
Once under it's shady protection he reached out to touch the bark on it's trunk. He liked the feeling of it. Cool and hard, yet with an air of fragility. Thinking of what had just happened, he leaned forward to rest on it's pillar. // Why'd the prince have to kiss me?// He shook his head. The rest to this stupid day had been awful, so why shouldn't that have happened? He sighed and carefully sat down on the earth beneath him, gathering a few strands of grass in his hands. He toyed with them until he heard HIS voice again.
"Hi."
Ryuuen looked up at him then away and sighed again. Rolling his eyes he lifted himself up to stand before the taller boy. "Hi."
The prince looked down then back up at him with an intense gaze. //Golden eyes... They're pretty. What the hell? Why am I even thinking that. Wait there's nothing wrong with thinking that a person's eyes are pretty. After all both my brother and my sister have pretty eyes. So there's nothing wrong with that. I think... //
While this thought process was going on, Ryuuen became aware that the prince was speaking to him. Immediately he began to focus on it.
"Didn't realize you were a boy..." he said with genuine regret. "I thought you were a GIRL. You... you look like a girl." He noticed an arch in the eyebrow this caused on Ryuuen's part accompanied by a fire of anger that was definitely coming to life in his eyes. "I mean dressed like that and with the makeup and things... You... you look like a very pretty girl. Sorry."
He watched as Ryuuen's eyebrows came together. // Probably deciding whether or not he should clobber me or forgive me. But he does look SO much like a girl. His looks are so soft.... AUGH! Don't think about that... Ryuuen's a boy....// Finally a weak smile came to Ryuuen's lips.
"Apology accepted."
A breath of relief escaped the prince's lips as he returned it. "I'm Saihitei. Just call me Sai. NOT your highness or anything like that... I HATE that."
Ryuuen nodded. "Ryuuen. And I'm a boy." Only Ryuuen said the last bit with a teasing smile and both boy's laughter rang out as one.
~~*~~
Three months past and Ryuuen spent it learning his new duties, which included doing what the snickering guys that worked for Nakago called "women's work". The others he spent beneath the willow, unless he was being forced to play with the girls. He never minded playing the games they played with his sister, but he also didn't have to do his sister's hair on a regular basis either.
He wanted to go outside and get dirty, Play one person bounce the ball, run the fields and climb trees. He wanted to read by the fire and get up at noon. But he couldn't do that anymore. Well, he could, except if his clothes got dirty or his hair got messed up, or his legs became scuffed he had to go all day without a replacement, or without bandages. And he ALWAYS had to look presentable for his mistresses. They didn't care if he was sweaty or his hair was a little disheveled.... but he couldn't have dirt on his face, under his nails, or on his clothes.
He was able to take whole days off to play when Sai came though. It occurred to Ryuuen that Sai spent more time with him than with Mimi and Kim (which was what he was supposed to be doing).
On this particular day he and Sai were having a mock sword fight with sticks for weapons. Mimi and Kim had retreated into a corner to have a tea party and ignore the boys.
"HA! I got you!" cried Ryuuen when he noticed that they seemed to get into a position that appeared to be to Ryuuen's advantage.
"You think so eh?" said Sai evenly with a snicker. Then before Ryuuen could figure out that somewhere Sai knew he was the one with the advantage, the prince had spun Ryuuen's stick around and out and swung around his weapon stopping at the side of Ryuuen's neck with a prick of pain. If that had been a real sword fight Ryuuen would be dead and he knew it. Sai's eyes were wide in shock for some reason as Ryuuen stared back at him just as startled. The icy realization made a chill creep through Ryuuen's veins.
"You okay?" Sai asked with a cock of his head and worried look. "You've suddenly just gone pale. And I... I cut you..."
Ryuuen shook it off. "Yeah... yeah. I'm fine. I just need to sit down I think, and get a breath of fresh air."
"Okay go ahead..." The three witnesses gaze followed Ryuuen out the sliding door that led outside to the stone walkway, then to the gardens.
Upon exiting Ryuuen took a few deep gulps of the cool air, then walked to the steps that led out into the grounds and sat down. Then he heard footfalls and instantly knew it was Sai coming up behind him.
"I'll be okay Sai. Really I will." Ryuuen said without looking at the boy behind him.
"How'd you know it was me?" Sai asked bending down.
"By the sound of your footsteps. You know strong but light footfalls."
The prince's brow creased in thought at this. "Um, you know I was only joking ,right? I'd never really fight you. I just panicked, I guess. And my sword master's training just kicked in. Cause I just planned on tapping your arm... that's all..."
"It's all right. I know you didn't mean to scare me, or to cut me. You've been trained since you were 3 years old to sword fight. It was just a reflex. Don't worry about it." Ryuuen put a hand to his neck to feel the injured spot for the first time. A nip of pain shot up his neck at the contact. He winced, forced a smile on his face, then he held out a clean palm to show Sai, as the cut had already stopped bleeding. "See it's not even bleeding now."
"I'll never forgive myself for it." Sai mumbled.
Ryuuen frowned then slapped his arm. "Don't even try to hang on to it! You BETTER forgive yourself for it!" Ryuuen had found over the last couple months that ever since that first day Sai seemed to want to protect him all the time. He didn't understand why. He didn't think he looked that helpless.
Sai 'hmphed' then shook his head. "You don't understand do you? You're the only real friend I've ever had." He didn't think Ryuuen could compehend how lonely he got at times. Sai looked away as he felt his eyes get a little red, then widened in shock when he felt Ryuuen pull him into a hug.
Moments later he pulled away and gave him a cocky grin. "You sure have a strange way of making friends. Do you have any idea how messed up it is for me to say my first kiss came from another boy?" Immediately Ryuuen began to laugh hysterically when he saw the look on Sai's face when he said this.
"You're still not going on about when I kissed you, are you? I SWEAR...."
"Ryuuen," said a calm voice behind them. It made both boys jump then they turned to look at Nakago.
Quietly Ryuuen got up. "Yes sir?"
Nakago nodded at Sai in greeting. "With your permission highness I need to bring Ryuuen with me. I'm afraid I won't be able to return him to you for a few hours. I'm sure my daughters will be able to entertain you in his absence."
The two boys exchanged looks, then Sai nodded.
"Come with me Ryuuen." Nakago spoke as he turned away and began to walk. With out much choice Ryuuen followed. Then they heard Sai call out to Ryuuen causing both Nakago and he to turn.
"For the record it was mine too." At first Ryuuen was confused about what he meant then couldn't help giggling and blushing when he figured it out. // So we share the same problem in the kissing area. Good. I shouldn't be the only one... misery loves company, you know. Only I guess in this case embarrassment. // Sai nodded and realizing that Nakago was waiting, Ryuuen turned and began walking again. With a shake of his head and roll of his eyes Nakago quickly fell into step in front of Ryuuen.
Foreboding crept suddenly within Ryuuen's heart as they walked. He glanced up at the warrior worried. // Am I in trouble? But what for?//
As if sensing the boy's fears Nakago spoke up, "You're not in trouble Ryuuen. It's just there's someone here that I'm sure you would like to see."
Ryuuen stared back at him confused until he followed Nakago to a study and opened the door. His face became immediate delight as he rushed forward in boundless joy. "FATHER!!!"
He gathered the boy into a tearful, tight embrace and began the few short and happiest hours Ryuuen had experienced in months.
TBC... ( for better or for worse...)
For reference sake (AN): The sword position that I had in mind was one I had seen in the last Highlander film. Er, the one with Adrian Paul in it. If you watch it, you should be able to figure it out. Sorry it's just I don't know much about sword play, just different types of swords etc.
Version 2 of these chapters should be coming soon. I have fun doing version 2, it's just given RL circumstances my sense of humor slips away at times. Anyway, I plan to start working on them once I get up to chapter 7, which is where I have stopped for a breather.
Last of all, thanks to Ryuen for reviewing and C&Cing this chapter for me and making me feel better about it. ::hug:: Also thanks to Dalton, Tsukiori, and Vickie, and all the other lovely people who have reviewed this story thus far. ::glomps::