Chapter 5 Like a Bird in the Sky
Disclaimer: characters belong to CLAMP
a/n : Okay, thanks for reviewing so far and maybe just simply stick up so far. This is still far from amusing things but, it supposed to be the beginning of it. Since Sakura'chan appear to request something. You'll found out once you read *wink
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That morning, Yuki look at his reflection in the mirror. There was someone else he didn't know that stand in front of him. The image in the mirror looked tired, exhausted with unhealthy pale face. His slim fingers traced the clothesline, embroidery felt rough under the touch as if it could ease his reluctant away.
He did it many times before and he has to do it today too, without any exception. He will continue the ritual, came to royal palace, greet the king, work on country matters, and bid his farewell once the meeting over. It's a simple task despite his scattered heart.
The dread feeling of certainty meeting the king has drained his mind. Yuki knew that he could no longer hiding from the king as his duty called him. He was the current high priest and meet the king was inevitable as always. His unreadiness wouldn't be tolerated by others and he didn't like any slight of idea about delay country matters because councils argue about his absence.
A soft knock at the door managed to distract his mind.
"Come in," he called.
Soon the door open to revealed a young man with dark eyes and hair. From his mouth came a greet, "Good morning, Tsukishiro'sama. Did you call me?"
"Yes, Sakurazuka'san. I'll attend the meeting today, thank you for your aid for past days," Yuki gave a slight polite smile.
"You didn't seem healthy, won't you take more rest?" his eyes concerned from behind the bespectacled.
Another polite smile gracing the blank mask of his face, "This is my duty in the first place, I'll do my best at all cost."
"Well, I supposed to back to my original duty then. Excuse me."
Yuki eyed the man in plain white rob as he took his leave and closed the door again. Yuki's eyes set at blue sky beyond the windowsill for a moment before he stepped out his own chamber.
He had a feeling that this gonna be a long day.
.0.0.
Touya sat on the head position of the table. Yukito usually sat at his right side but these days, since the high priest was noted sick, another man replaced him. The king thought that it would be the same morning, that the black haired man would help him with the matters today.
Even tough he didn't like any slightest of that man, he frightened the council member. While the council seemed to opposite Yukito's single idea, they seemed reluctant to go against the black haired priest. He was quite efficient if Touya may say, capable to handle both things and the members very well.
However, Touya missed his high priest so much that he didn't care how outstanding the black haired priest was, because Yuki is outstanding too.
Touya's eyes were set on the blue sky through the large window pane on his left side. His body leaned on his left part so that he couldn't see whoever on the room.
He felt bore listened to the council's complain about almost everything.
"Don't you think that he a bit late today?" a man asked the other member.
Carefully, they cover the people's name by mentioning him indirectly. But Touya knew who they did mean.
"Yeah, he supposed to arrive here by now. Didn't they know that this was insulting Your Majesty?" that other man said without hesitantly.
Touya could feel their stare burning his back but he pretend didn't hear them. Not too long after they continue their little chit-chat that the room fell silent.
Touya sensed the same intense tension as yesterday, or day before that when Sakurazuka was around.
So, he finally come, Touya thought. Then he turned his body only to freeze after that.
..0.
Yukito felt uncomfortable when the room fell silent as he came inside the chamber, it's unusual. He afraid of the way those people stare at him, as if something was definitely wrong with his presence there.
Did they know?, He thought. No, I must appear strong and act as if nothing happen, moreover, in front of him…
People's gaze followed as the high priest walked slowly to his usual chair, at King's right side. All the way there, Yukito lifted his head, show his determinant. His silver eyes were set on his chair, trying hard to ignore that person's presence.
"How's your condition?" Touya ask before Yukito managed to sit.
Like it or not, the sandy haired priest must lift his gaze and met him. He saw sincere concern, and a bit of something.
"I hear that you were sick. Are you feeling better now?" it was clear that Touya demand him an answer.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's concern, I'm so much better now," Yukito nodded his head politely.
Touya noticed how a smile was absence from Yukito's face. He looked tired and worn out despite all the rest he took. His bouncy shine was somehow disappear.
"Well, please take your seat. The meeting will begin soon," Touya said without release his look on Yukito. Now hw knew that it will take time more than he expected it would be.
o.o
The meeting was surprisingly solemn that day and it finished early, people didn't argue that much against each other, much to Yukito's relieve so he could leave soon.
"Now, if you excuse me, My Majesty," Yukito excuse himself, too polite for Touya's liking.
"Thank you for your hard work today, Yuki," the king replied with the same kind smile.
Yukito was taken aback because he thought that Touya would likely do more, like halted his depart. Not that he wanted it to happen but, exactly not letting him to go off so easily. Well, at least asking his condition…
Sure Touya did asked his condition before the meeting began. But Yukito thought that it just a shape of formality, that Touya will asked him privately…?
Yukito then realized that instead of rushing his pace toward the exit door as once he planned to do so, he stood still facing the king or rather stare at him. Which could be consider as a bold act, tough he did it unintentionally. He noticed when Touya raised one eyebrow, asking his action with sort of, "Well?"
"Is there something else, Yuki?" Touya prefer to use his nick as he saw a blush creep on Yukito's face.
"No, I…" he answered abruptly before lowered his eye level, "I leave." His murmur barely audible save for himself but he expect Touya to hear that.
He lowered his head all the while retreated with quickened pace, wishing to exited the palace and back to his own room. Rearrange what seemed as his not too ready but already shattered heart and built it up so he could face the king again tomorrow. He quite embarrassed himself today.
He was so into his own thought that he barely notice someone called his name.
"Yukito'san!" called the young princess.
"Princess, it's nice to meet you. How have you been?" he asked with more ease.
The said princess smiled as bright as usual, "It's nice to meet you too, Yukito'san. I'm fine thank you. But, how about you? I haven't seen you lately…" she asked with genuine concern on her face.
Yukito put up a reassuring smile, "Why, I've been a bit unhealthy so I rest for a few days."
Sakura didn't look convinced at all but she drop the matter as it is, "Is the meeting done already?" she tried to peek through Yukito's robe.
"Yes, it's finished early," he answered with wiseful voice.
Another bright smile popped up on her face, she reached out to hold hand with the high priest. "Then, you will stay for dinner with us, right?" she tugged his hand to firm her demand.
"Thank you for inviting me but I'm sorry I can't, Sakura'chan," Yukito prefer to use her name so as to not seem to pick up reasons.
She had that disappoint look on her cute face again so Yukito added, "I have to catch up with things. What about other time maybe tomorrow?"
"Yeah, sure. Nii'chan would be glad to hear that too," she chirped happily, unaware of the mention of her older brother causing Yukito to inhale sharp inaudible breath. Then again she inclined her face as if suddenly the floor became more interesting.
"Nii'chan wasn't look good these days, as if something has bothering him," she continued with those worried and lower voice to emphasis her feeling, "But he always said that everything was okay when I asked him what happen. He didn't want to make me worry, Yukito'san that's why…"
Now she looked at him, pleading eyes pierce his heart, "Please stay with him. Since I couldn't do anything to cheer him…"
Yukito didn't like it, the idea to stay longer than needed close to Touya, no matter how close they were before. Tough he admit that he didn't want to see the princess' sad face all the more. Besides, his circumstances will bring him close to the king almost all the time, like it or not.
"I didn't dare to promise that much Sakura'chan but I'll do my best," he gently pat Sakura's shoulder, make the princess beamed her cheerfulness at him.
"Thank you so much, Yukito'san!"
At the very same time, unknown to both Yukito and Sakura that someone was unintentionally eavesdropping their little chit-chat. This person noticed how Yukito face's shifted from one to another tough he wore the same aloof smile and hid his feeling behind the bespectacled.
This person turned slowly to other direction, follow the nagging feeling to leave before the two noticed the presence. Faint smile graced the lips, amused about the possibility of sort entertainment about what the high priest will do to fulfill Sakura's request.
On the table, manner was something cherished on by royal family, so did the High Priest. So he pretend to stay cool and composed when the princess around.
Yukito : *squeal* "T..Touya!"
Next time on "The Thorn Never Hurt Me": You set me free.
That's it for chapter5, I hope this chapter worth the long wait, if there're people who wait for this story of course. Yes, the next chapter would be another long wait because Yes, I have to put up with 3 stories now. Yes, I'm stressed out because my last assignment didn't went well, and Yes, like I care with other than my self, Hmph!
So, for everybody who cared for your self and want more chapter, do the review. Believe me that it would boost up the upload date of this story. This applied to you too, Hibrid'san! *giggle*