Chapter 7: What's Your Reason?
"Hello officer." Seimei greeted the guard from the night before.
Nisei's hair stood on end as he hopped behind the couch. He was too young to die!
"Can I help you with something?"
"Beloved's no longer in the church and you where the last seen with him."
Seimei's ears twitched. "You searched the church? Why if you can't pull him out?" He mocked.
The guard just glared at him, annoyed with his tone and constant disrespect.
"Look boy." The guard towered over him. "If you know where he is-"
"If he was smart he would have stayed in the church." Seimei stated, cutting him off, he hated people who acted as if they were better than him. "I'm guess if he left he thought he was safe, or his curiosity got the better of him." He added, smirking. Stepping aside Seimei out stretched his arm. "Search my place if you want. You won't find him here."
Nisei's heart stopped. What the hell was Seimei doing!
The guard peaked his head over looking around.
"It would be ridiculous for me to put my life on the line for anyone, much less a gypsy."
"Then your reason for helping him last night?"
"I was doing what any good church goer would do, helping someone in need." He smiled.
"Not many would help a gypsy."
"Well I guess I'm the few that would. Now are you going to search my home or not? You're kinda letting in a draft."
"No. It would be nice to see you get the death penalty."
Seimei's ears flatted as he shut the door. He didn't have the time for such weak threats.
"What is wrong with you!?" Nisei shouted quietly as he popped out from behind the couch, just in case the guard was still listening. "Are you trying to get me killed?!"
"Calm down." Seimei waved a hand at him. "Are you always so dramatic or is that every gypsy?"
"I'm not being dramatic, my life is literally on the line here!"
"As is mine." Seimei reminded. "If you get caught so do I and we both die, and I don't feel like dying so young."
Nisei sulked. He really needed a nap. This was all just too much and it was starting to get to him, he was just happy to hear that Loveless had escaped and was most likely safe in The Gypsy Capital. That was one problem solved, now he just needed his and Seimei's problem solved. If he could just escape into The Gypsy Capital too then it would be fine, both his and Seimei's life would no longer be in danger, but it no doubt had guards patrolling the area to make sure that that didn't happen.
...
Koda stood tall on a tall building besides the entrance arch of The Capital, looking down she saw many guards, some on horses, some on foot, all looking for the two gypsys.
She shook her head, this was wrong, something many thought but no one would say for fear of punishment.
She looked at the castle on the opposite end of the kingdom. It some what made sense that the gypsy capital and the castle were on opposite ends, almost as if at war, always at war. She briefly wondered if anyone there was standing up for them, if anyone there cared, after all they were still human too.
...
"Yamato don't!" Kouya grabbed the arm of her girlfriend as she stormed towards the king's chamber.
Though she had none of it as she just kept walking, pulling Kouya along, who refused to let go.
*BAM*
"Your highness!" She yelled as she through the doors open.
Kouya immediately let go and stood at the doors, she didn't want to be apart of this, but she also didn't want to leave her girlfriend alone in front of the king.
She walked in front of the kings desk and stared at him until he finally looked at her over his glasses.
"What the hell was that order!?" She asked, usually the few times that she ever spoke towards him her tone held respect out of respect, but now it held anger and pain.
"What do mean?" Ritsu sounded bored, or tired.
"Death!? You're sentencing them to death? For what reason?"
"They've been causing trouble recently." He went back to his paper work. "I've ignored it till now but-"
"That's bull!"
"Yamato!" Kouya shouted, hoping she would just calm down already.
"They've done nothing. Nothing deserving the death penalty. Now what's your real reason, Ritsu?"
"Kouya." He called out to her. "Could you give us a moment, and close the door please."
Kouya looked down, no she wanted to stay by Yamato's side, even though she didn't exactly agree with what she was saying.
"... Yes sir." She answered as she hesitantly closed the door, peaking one more glance at her girlfriend.
With the click of the door Ritsu looked back up at Yamato.
"You always stand so strong for the gypsys, even Nana doesn't do that. Care to tell me why?"
"Because like it or not, they're apart of this kingdom too."
"They're the dirt of this kingdom, maybe even lower, and yet they parade around in there colors and jewels with out a care for anything even the law. After Loveless and Beloved's death they'll lose hope. It'll help them stay in their place."
"Cause that worked so well last time."
"Didn't it." He smirked.
She looked away, she wasn't going to give him the true answer and cause more trouble for the gypsys.
"You're wrong." She stated staring him straight in the eye. "They won't lose hope, they never will. They'll always fight because that's what they've been doing from day one of their lives."
Ritsu looked at the girl, a bit agitated with how she kept standing up against him on behalf of the gypsys, for this was not the first time either.
"Besides Loveless and Beloved aren't only adored by the gypsys, this whole kingdom loves them! And if you hurt them they will turn on you!" With that she stormed out not waiting or caring to see what he had in response to her words.
She was shaking and fighting tears, she just wanted to be with Kouya.
...
"You know it would really just be better if I went to the gypsy capital." Ritsuka said, as he was swinging his legs over the bed.
"Huh? Why?" Natsuo asked as he hit a ball against the wall.
"Because I don't want you guys to be in any danger." Was he the only one that heared the 'Death' part of that order?
"We're always in danger." Youji commented nonchalantly as he threw the ball against the wall back to Natsuo.
"Yeah its nothing knew." He smiled.
Ritsuka just looked at the two play back and forth, he didn't understand why they weren't scared. Even if they were in danger all the time, were they really in danger of dying all the time!? If they were that would be just crazy. And what about Soubi? Soubi was just a normal commener... well kinda, aside from taking three stray gypsys into his home, he was normal. He shouldn't be hurt for his sake.
Hopping off the bed Ritsuka headed towards Soubi's room, Youji and Natsuo didn't seem to notice him leave.
"Soubi?" He pushed the already cracked door open, just enough to squeeze through.
As he looked around he quickly spotted the blonde on the floor, over a canvas... painting? Ritsuka stepped closer, he had never seen anyone paint before, at least not on a canvas. The only painting hes ever seen were gypsy painting on themselves or each other, it was mostly done for fun and show.
"Soubi." He called out again closer.
The blonde looked up at him surprised to see him, but he still smiled. "Yes?"
"Um, I'm sorry. Your door was open and I, I kinda needed to talk to you."
"It's fine." He stated. "Youji and Natsuo usually slam the door open. What is it that you need?"
What was it that he needed? He needed to go home! To get away from everyone so that they won't be in any danger.
"Soubi." He sat down. "You can turn me in if you want."
"What?" Shock was evident on his face, though Ritsuka was to busy looking down to see it.
"If you don't you can die. And so would Natsuo and Youji."
Soubi smiled, now he understood. They boy didn't want anyone to be hurt, so much so that he was willing to sacrifice himself for them. What a saint.
Ritsuka's ears perked and he blushed as Soubi put his hand on his head and began petting him.
"I can't do that Ritsuka. I can't turn you in knowing that if I do you'll be hurt. That you'll be killed."
Ritsuka stayed quiet as Soubi kept rubbing his head. He closed his eyes, finding that he actually kinda liked it. He had never had anyone pet him before, Chouma would occasionally pat him on the head clamming how 'cute' he was and Nisei would usually tease, flick, tug and pull them. He had never had anyone treat him so gently, not even his own mother was kind to him!
Soubi smiled as the boy leaned more into his touch.
"Is there anything else you need?"
"Huh?" He looked at him for a moment before realizing what he was doing. "Um, ah no." He pulled away, though he still felt a bit unsettled about staying there putting them all in danger.
Soubi seemed to see this as he tilted the boys chin to look at him.
"Youji and Natsuo seem to like you here. And I for one like having you here as well." He smiled.
Ritsuka felt a chill go down his spin. 'I for one like having you here' There was something with the way he said that that made Ritsuka's chest hurt the same way as before when he had first seen the blonde.
"Soubi."
"Yes?" He leaned closer.
Ritsuka blushed as he got that weird, nervous feeling again. He wanted to be closer to him, to allow Soubi to be more kind and gentle with him. To see how kind and gentle he could be. Ritsuka mentally shook his head.
'No no no, not this feeling again!'
He couldn't afford to be so confused right now. Not with his, Soubi's and the others lives in danger!
He pulled away and shook his head. He needed to shake off those strange conflicting feelings.
"Um, what is it that you were doing?" He asked pointing to the canvas on the floor, not looking at him.
Soubi momentarily frowned. He wondered why the boy would always, flinch, tense, and now pull from him.
"I was painting."
Well Ritsuka knew that, but since Soubi didn't give any further explanation he decided to look over it. It was unfinished, yes, but it still looked very delicate and beautiful, with many different colors and shades.
"Is it, a butterfly?" He asked. From the parts that were finished it looked like it was going to be one.
"Hai."
"That's amazing." And it was.
Soubi smiled as he pushed the boy's bangs away. "Very."
Ritsuka continued to stare at the picture and blushed deeper than before. His throat felt dry and his heart was pounding.
"Ritsuka." Soubi tilted the boy's head once again to face him, slowly rubbing his cheek. "Would you allow me to paint you?"
"You wanna... me? Why?"
"Because you're beautiful. Especially when you dance." Soubi moved his hand to stroke under his eye. "You're so focused."
That felt nice to hear. Everyone always stated how nice and well he danced, but no one every really realized how hard he tried to do his best.
"So, can I paint you?"
Everything in Ritsuka was screaming no, that he should just get back up and return to Youji and Natsuo, and play a game. But at the same time there was still that part that wanted to be closer to Soubi. Damn it! He thought he shook off those thoughts.
One second he's thinking of getting closer to him and the next second he's thinking of staying away from him. Ritsuka just wished his mind would agree on something instead of always conflicting with itself.
'Yes, let him paint you. No, go back to Youji and Natsuo. Yes. No. Yes. No!'
"Yes."
...
'Where's Sei-san?'
Petite little Mikado had been wondered around the church searching for him for about twenty minutes and she still could not find him. Though she knew she should've just stopped looking after she saw that he wasn't on the roof. That's where he liked to be the most, up high looking down and observing everyone.
'Weirdo.'
"Excuse me." She called out to a nun in the church. "Have you seen Seimei anywhere?"
"I'm sorry I haven't." She answered after a moment of thinking. "Have you tried his house yet?"
"No. Thank you." Mikado gave a small bow. "I'll try there next."
With that the some what elderly nun went off.
Mikado's ears flatted as she walked towards the entrance/exist of the church. She really didn't need to see Seimei bad enough to go to his house and disturb him, after all he had bluntly stated before that he didn't want anyone there invading his personal space. Then again he had once invited her over, though it was only to pick up a book she had lent him, so he probably would have just gave it to her at the door, there would be no need for her to go inside.
'Why did I even let him keep that book?'
She stepped down the church steps, finally outside again... but something felt different? She looked around there were people walking everywhere, that was the same. There were people talking and ordering stuff form sales men and merchants, that was the same, but everything seemed dull. Usually there would be a few gypsys dancing around, doing magic or whatever, but now there was nothing. She could understand that they would be afraid but, didn't only Loveless and Beloved really have to be afraid, after all that order was only directed towards them.
Mikado started to walk towards Seimei's home, with some what of amiss feeling. Though Mikado didn't exactly like the gypsys and was kinda frightened when they got too close, she did like how they made everything a bit more cheerful.
As she pasted by the circle stage directly in the middle of town square, the image of Loveless and Beloved dancing the other day popped into her head.
'Why kill them?'
She shook her head. It really wasn't any of her business and either way it wouldn't effect her, but for some reason it was bothering her.
'Why those two?'
She shouldn't care, but she did. It shouldn't bother her, but it does.
She continued towards Seimei's house. Pushing that topic out of her thoughts, but it continued to rack the back of her mind.
...
"Sei-san!" Mikado knocked on the door, wondering exactly why she was there, she really didn't have a reason to be.
Her ears twitched as she heard the door unlock and the door open.
"Do you have to knock so loud?" He asked, not a 'Hi' or anything close to a greeting, she knew it she was going to disturb him.
"Um, sorry. It's just that..."
He looked at her, ears perked as they waited for what she had to say.
"Can I come in?" She didn't want to bother him but, she liked being around him and talking with him, it gave her a feeling of harmony.
He seemed a bit surprised by her question.
"Umm," He turned his head inside, looking at Nisei napping on the couch.
'She may or may not panic.'
He knew his friend and her problem with gypsys, but he also knew that afraid or not she wouldn't tell anyone.
"Sure." He stepped aside, allowing her to walk past him in to his home.
She bowed and thanked him before entering his home, but a few feet inside and she froze dead in her place, with out a word.
"What is that doing in here?" A very calm question.
Seimei politely closed the door. At least she wasn't panicking, that would be annoying.
"Mikado." His voice sounded like a parent's correcting their child "It's very rude to refer to someone as 'that'."
She rolled her eyes. One because of his parental tone and two because he himself referred to many people as 'that' or worse.
"Seriously what is he doing here?"
"Napping." He shrugged.
Her ears flattened. "Why is he napping on your couch?"
"Because I don't want him on my bed."
"Seimei! Why is he here!?"
"It's fine Mikado." He patted her head like a child and walked over to the couch.
"It's not fine! Seimei, they're dangerous."
"That's not what you usually say about them. And besides," Seimei sat with his legs crossed on the couch, near the gypsy's head, and began to pet his long pure black hair. "I doubt that he could do anything other then solicit people out of there money."
"Still, what about the king's order."
"What about the kings order?"
"Seimei! You heard'em if they find him in your care you'll be killed along with him."
Seimei stopped his petting of the gypsy and stared at her intently.
"Mikado, don't you think it's weird how they did not specify why him and Loveless are wanted?"
She thought for a moment... that's why it was bothering her! The king never gave out the reason why they were wanted for death. Why wouldn't the king tell'em what they did so bad that they're going to be punished by death? She stopped and let that sink in.
"... You don't think they did anything?"
...
After Yamato's outburst at Ritsu, Kouya had taken her into her room, where she had broke down in tears. Kouya just sat on her bed, petting her girlfriend's head as she cried into her lap. She hated seeing her like this, her usually loud and spirited friend was now crying and shaking. And why? For gypsys, of all things. Kouya would do anything to take her pain away, seeing Yamato cry was like a knife to her heart.
"Yamato, why do you always stand up for the gypsys? It does nothing except work you up and get you into trouble."
Yamato wrapped her arms around Kouya and hid her face in her stomach. She couldn't answer that, not a hundred percent honestly and oh how she hated lying to her.
"Yamato please answer me."
But there was one thing she could never lie about.
"I love you." She got up and put her arms around her neck. "I love you so much." She kissed her as she pushed her back against the bed.
"Yamato!" Kouya shouted as they pulled apart, cheeks red and burning.
Seeing the look on Yamato's face made her gasp, it looked like she was in pain and she still had tears clinging to her lashes.
"Please, don't hate me." She leaned down to kiss her again.
Kouya closed her eyes and kissed her back, hugging her lightly.
'Hate you? How could I hate you? I love you.'