Chapter 4 You Were Always There For Me

Disclaimer: characters belong to CLAMP

Ow, thank you for the kind review, Hibrid'san. I'm glad that they were actually people who like this story, because I can't go on without anyone who like it.

Subaru's POV

It really surprising that Tsukishiro'sama went that early in the morning. Not that I mind, tough, but I wondered about the other priest's reaction. This far, nobody dare to talk it out loud, just gossips amongst them. The news about Tsukishiro'sama stayed at His Majesty's palace due to sick was an uproar but from his condition, I wish that people would left it at that. That he was sick nonetheless.

When I went back to deliver his breakfast at 10, he didn't looked well in his sleep. With face buried in the pillow and damp sheet beneath, it seemed that he cried before give in to deep slumber.

Now it really worried me. I've heard that he never sick before, as energetic and bouncy as all of the kindness he always shown us. That Tsukishiro'sama had cried after went back to his own room, there must be something had happened. He always seemed enjoy to keep the King accompanied by himself. He was being sick might be just a made up excuse to hide the real problem, right?

But I didn't dare to voice it out, I'm afraid that I discuss the matter to the head of Temple, he would only give another pressure to Tsukishiro'sama. Of course, he isn't that kind of man, but his secretary does. And it almost impossible to talk to him without his secretary around.

.0.0

Sorata just finished his evening chore when Subaru asked him to deliver Tsukishiro'sama's supper that night. So there he was, in the corridor with food tray in hands. It's dinner time and must of the priest gathered at hall so he's surprised when he saw someone standing alone and stared at the moon.

From distance, Sorata knew that this person whoever it was, not a guard. Guard won't stare at the moon in such manner, more over without weapon in hands. But the man, after closer inspection, not a priest either. He wore different clothes.

Sorata almost didn't recognize the man until the man turned at him. That the man was nobody else but King Touya himself. He supposed to bow or kneel or whatever to show his respect but Sorata didn't, not with tray full of foods in hands. Instead he just stare at the man.

This is the first time Sorata meet face to face with the King. He heard from rumor that he brought all of the perfection with him, young, handsome, smart, kind, and all of his Kingness. He often watched the King from distance and he looked as perfect as people described him. However, a little fact that the King might messed up Tsukishiro'sama he adored, made him rebel by not bow at him. Altough, he admit that the King has mesmerized him in some way he didn't know.

The man in front of him, more than anything he heard from peoples. More handsome, more dignified, and another more he didn't feel like to mention…

"Your Majesty, I never dreamt able to meet you here," he said with sarcasm, "Shouldn't Your Majesty rest in Palace instead of wandering around without presence of royal guard?"

Touya smiled at the novice. Unlike the other novice, he seemed brave enough for his status, not that it bothered Touya though. Somehow, his sense told him that the boy dislike him.

"Sure. And you supposed to have dinner with other right now. What brings you here with that foods? You're not straying, are you?" Touya return the polite gesture with slight treat.

"I'm not. This for Tsukishiro'sama," Sorata swear he read some changes on King's face by the mention of High Priest's name.

"What happen to him?" Touya asked after a moment of pause, his darken eyes hid his emotion.

"I think Your Majesty knew it better than me, what happened to him," Sorata persistently annoying. He wonder if he'll sent to punishment tomorrow, death maybe for his disrespect.

Touya's eyes wandered a bit.

"That… You must really like him, that Yukito," Touya eyeing the boy, assessing.

"There's no reason to hate him."

"Ah, yeah, sure. I wonder why the council didn't like him too much either. He's so lovely," Sorata caught another gentle expression as they talk about the high priest.

Slowly, awkward silence filled the air between them as the Touya somehow lost.

"Pardon me, Your Majesty, I must deliver this food immediately," Sorata waking the King from his deep thought. Without waiting for Touya's excuse, Sorata walked away.

"Tell me your name," Touya asked before Sorata leave the place too far,

"Sorata, I'm a novice."

"Then, Sorata, I have a favor to ask."

"And what is that?" he eying the King as if he was the most suspicious person ever.

"Please take care of Yuki while I'm not around. He might hide his pain alone and will avoid people's attention at all cost. He won't let me get near to him so…"

"I won't let people hurt him, not even Your Grace."

Touya smiled. He knew he could trust this novice, "Thank you."

Sorata made his way back to his current task, not bothered by the King's presence at all. He was determining to keep his words too, as an ally of justice no matter how young he is.

XxX

His slim fingers traced the clothesline, embroidery felt rough under the touch as if it could ease his reluctant away.

"Good morning, Tsukishiro'sama. Did you call me?"

"Yes, Sakurazuka'san."

Next time on "The Thorn Never Hurt Me": Like a bird in the sky.

That's it for chapter4.

Like it? Don't like it? Let me know what you think, 'kay?