Hey! The beginning jumps around a little, but the middle is important so don't skip^^
Three years passed like this. Mangetsu picked up most of the runes, but couldn't remember their order in a single spell.
Fai had discovered that he really did like cooking and he was actually quite good at it. Much to Mangetsu's delight, he mostly made sweets. However, unlike Fai, Mangetsu had a penitent for rich meats like prime rib which, until he learned to make, he'd have to deal with Emiel.
Mangetsu could no longer alter her dresses. Sylvia had gotten tired of explaining to designers just what exactly had happened to their dresses and sitting through fittings listening to Mangetsu complain. Instead, she'd requested that the fabric be charmed against magical alterations. Now Mangetsu was stuck wearing full skirts and suffocating bodices and corsets. Despite what you might think, this didn't hinder her fighting. In fact, it looked kind of cool to Fai, the way her skirt whipped around when she spun. Mangetsu complained bitterly, but she couldn't stop fiddling with it and making sure it was lying correctly with the explanation that "If I'm going to be uncomfortable, I'm going to look gorgeous doing it."
Mangetsu began to notice several of the male members of the royal guard witching Fai in much the same way Emiel did. Whenever she caught one of them in the act, she either went after them, usually causing some damage before Fai could get her off of them, or she'd say something so ambiguously threatening that they just left.
Mangetsu also didn't trust Emiel. She'd gotten so overprotective of Fai that she now spent his cooking lessons alternately stuffing her face and glaring at Emiel, who never noticed. She was severely unhelpful in the fact that whenever he made cookies, she ate half the raw dough while he was prepping the baking sheets.
"Mang-mang, there's raw egg in that, you'll get sick."
When he tried to grab the bowl away from her she snatched it off the counter and held it over her head.
"Yeah, there's also butter and sugar and flour in it. All the staples of a well balanced diet."
She glanced down at Fai who was now practically jumping for his bowl.
"Really Angel, this is pathetic. Have I taught you nothing?"
"Maitresse," Emiel appeared from the walk in pantry, "Please relinquish Monsieur Flourite's dough."
"Fiiine." She handed him the bowl as Emiel disappeared into the panty again. Quickly, she lowered her voice.
"I swear to Moon, that's the most he's ever said to me outside of answering questions."
Fai laughed quietly, less about her words and more about the fact that she'd just sworn to herself, and started measuring lumps of cookie dough onto the sheet. She watched him for a moment before leaning forward nervously.
"Um, Fai? Will you be okay if I go to the bathroom?"
He wiggled an egg in front of her face, teasing.
"Sick?"
"No," She twisted her mouth to the side, "But I did just drink my weight in that hot chocolate and at this point I pretty sure I'm gonna pee no matter where I am."
"Then go."
She bit her lip.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"I'll be fine as long as you don't wet yourself."
She sighed.
"Thanks Angel."
He could hear the relief in her voice as she bolted from the room. Fai rolled his eyes; only she would sit there and eat cookie dough while desperately having to relieve herself.
He finished placing cookie dough and pushed the sheets into the huge wood-fired oven. Now if only Emiel would just stay in the back.
As if reading his thoughts, Emiel materialized behind him.
"And, where is the Maitresse?"
Fai ground his teeth and turned.
"She went to the bathroom."
"Hmm…" Emiel sauntered over as Fai brushed his bangs out of his face. He laughed. Confused, Fai looked at his hands to find that they were covered in flour and he'd probably just smeared it across his face. He grabbed a rag and went to wipe it off.
"Here," Emiel caught his hand and took the rag. "Let me."
Fai's eyes went wide as he lightly ran the cloth over his cheek. He was on the verge of shaking.
Where is Mangetsu?
"You know, Fai," He cringed at the use of his first name. He wanted to leave, run, do something, but he felt frozen in place; rooted to the spot.
Emiel trailed a finger down his face, bringing his hand to rest on Fai's shoulder with a lazy grin.
"I've been waiting for grow older for a while now. Even when you were young, I could see what a beauty you were going to grow-"
There was a loud bang as the door smacked open. They both looked up to see Mangetsu standing in the doorway, seething.
Her feet were planted apart, her hands were fists and she was snarling slightly. There was murder in her dangerously narrowed eyes.
"Get. Away. From. Him."
For unneeded emphasis, Natalia stepped out from behind her with a low growl. The two looked remarkably alike. Emiel gave a nervous laugh.
"Maitresse, I was just helping Monsieur Flourite with a bit of flour."
"Shut your face Emiel."
He did as she said, but stayed where he was, hand on Fai's shoulder.
"Back up." She couldn't use Mind Manipulation under the suppression, but the look on her face was pure intimidation. Emiel's voice shook, but he stayed put.
"I believe there's been a bit of a misunderstanding and, despite the fact that you are a lady, I am still the adult here and I say that…what are you…? Ughhh!
Emiel dropped to the floor.
While he'd been talking, Mangetsu, lacking the attention span required to listen to long explanations, had walked up and punched him in the crotch.
She took Fai's arm and led him back to the doorway, never once taking her eyes off of Emiel, who was trying to claw himself up on the edge of a counter.
"Sylvia!"
His eyes went wide.
"Now…I really… don't think… there's any…need-"
"SYLVIA!"
What is it-" Sylvia corrected herself as she stumbled through the door.
"I mean, how may be of assistance, Maitresse?"
"That ass-hole touched Fai."
What do you mean he- Oh. I see."
Her face took on a hard anger that rivaled Mangetsu's. Emiel blanched further.
"Guard." Sylvia spoke while touching the glittering stone in her ring. Fai recognized it as a Câblage Stone (Câblage Stone: Any precious gem that is bound by magic and then cut into several pieces. When separated, the pieces retain there connection and, when touched and spoken into, the speakers words emanate from the corresponding stones. They are often used to communicate in the army and among large staff.) No sooner had she spoken, several guards appeared.
"Arrest him. Keep him in a holding cell until His Highness gives you further instructions."
"No, I really don't think that's ness-" But that was all they heard as guards escorted Emiel out.
"Until I give further instructions regarding what?"
At King Ashura's entrance, the remaining guards dropped to one knee. Sylvia plunged into a deep curtsy. Fai bowed at the waist. Mangetsu smirked. Mangetsu continued to smirk until Fai, not wanting any more of an incident than there already was, delivered a swift kick to the back of her knee, causing her to wobble and appear to curtsy.
"And just where in the thirteen levels of hell was that when you needed it?" She whispered and Fai shushed her, earning them both a look from Sylvia.
"Your Highness, there was a minor incident that I'd prefer to go over in private…"
"Very well," He looked to Fai. "Fai, I need to speak to you anyway." He smiled kindly. "I have something for you in my study if you would go and wait for me there."
At the smile, Fai thrilled. For a moment, everything was fine. King Ashura was smiling, no doubt pleased with him. He even wanted to speak to him. It felt so good to pretend nothing was wrong, or at least, that he didn't know anything was wrong.
His dream was spoiled though, by Mangetsu's discreet gagging motions beside him.
"Yes, Your Highness."
As he made to leave, Mangetsu caught his arm.
"You okay?" She whispered.
"Yeah."
"'Kay."
He started to walk away when she stopped him again. None of the adults were paying attention.
"Hey,"
"What?"
"Don't take any shit. From anybody."
Then she gave him a nudge and he was on his way.
Ughh, I really screwed up the scene with Emiel. It was really uncomfortable to write though and the entire time I was screaming in my head "Bite him, Fai! Bite Him!" I keep doing stuff to poor Fai, even in some one-shots that I finished but havn't posted yet (I'm not kidding. In one, Kurogane accidentaly stabs Fai in the back of the hand with a fork *.*)
About Mangetsu's last line: My mom says that To me whenever she drops me off at work. A little more than two more years and I can get my licence^^
Oh, I don't think Emiel is going to get a drawing 'cause I HATE him now. To see the others go to Deviant Art . com and search ShingetsuXMangetsu and check out my gallery.
You have no idea how happy reviews make me, so share the love^^
ありがとう
ShingetsuXMangetsu