Title: Difference
Series: "Samurai Deeper Kyo"
Disclaimer: Akimine Kamijyo owns.
Warnings: Language.
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Hotaru, Shinrei, Yuan.
Rating: PG
He's fast, Shinrei remembers thinking as he watches the younger boy from behind the stone pillar. He's much smaller than Shinrei himself is – but that's probably due to age and lack of nutrition as a small child. His hair is long and blond, braided to hold the majority from his face which is blanked as he lunges at the man he was sparring against. Shinrei watches in rapt attention as the student fights his master.
Yuan-sama grins wickedly as the boy – Keikoku, his mind supplies – tries to jump into the air and kick him in the head. With ease, he reaches up and slaps aside Keikoku's leg – but the blond recovers midair enough to twist himself and strike at Yuan-sama's ribcage. Inventive, but there is little to no force behind the blow due to loss of momentum so there was no damage done to the master. Keikoku lands on his feet, a glow of triumph in his eyes despite the lack of success in harming his teacher.
"Gettin' better," Yuan-sama comments absently, eyes on Keikoku from beneath his red blindfold. "No where near as good as me, though."
"I'll kick your ass one day," Keikoku vows hotly, jaw set.
"Ooh, keep dreamin', pipsqueak," Yuan-sama says around a grin. "Maybe one day you'll be able to kick at my head without jumping, too."
A hot flush crosses Keikoku's cheeks and Shinrei has to bite back a laugh as Keikoku rushes Yuan-sama with a vengeance. Fubuki-sama never has to rile Shinrei up to get him to try harder, but perhaps this is because water is passive where as fire is passion? Shinrei takes a step back from the pillar, biting his lip thoughtfully.
His father told him that this boy is his brother – half, technically. Shinrei was curious and sought him out to observe. He likes what he sees, but he knows, deep down, that he and Keikoku will never be brothers, not like his cousins are. The difference between them is far too great.
Different mothers. Different teachers. Different elements. Different styles. Different beliefs.
Different paths.
One day, they may meet and then they will walk their separate roads. Shinrei steps farther away from the courtyard and turns his back. Better to cut his losses now than when he's attached.
He walks away without ever looking back.
It's better this way.