Ch.2 Memories

The woman covers the boy in a black cloth and kisses him on the forehead. She hides him under the table in the dark corner of the room.

"Be a good boy and stay here. Don't you dare come out or make any noise."

The boy grabs on to his mother's shirt, "Mommy what's going to happen? Where are you going?"

She detaches the boy's hand from her shirt and holds it betweens her hands, "Shh Shusuke, just remember that mommy always loves you."

The woman walks away quietly and screams out, "What do you want with me?"

A group of soldiers enter the room, "Isn't it obvious? Haven't you heard the screams of the other villagers?" The solider shows her the head in his hands, "Or the scream of your husband?"

The women steps back covering her mouth, "No…Shun!" Tears stream down her eyes and anger boils in her ocean eyes. "How could you!"

The soldiers laugh and the leader touches the woman's face lightly, "Ah so beautiful, why did you fall in love with a man like Shun?"

She swaps his hand away, "Don't touch me you dirty scum."

The leader takes his sword out, "Too bad, if you had treated me nicer I would have let you live." He stabs her through the chest and she falls onto a pool of blood. She lands facing the hidden boy and with the last shred of life she had; she gives him a farewell smile.

Fuji opens his eyes wearily to find Ryoma staring at him with a sadden look in his eyes. Fuji looks around and realizes he was sitting outside of Ryoma's door.

"Are you awake Fuji?"

Fuji tries to stand up but slides down to the floor again, "Yes I am." He runs his hand through his hair, "Why are you out here prince Ryoma?"

Ryoma sits next to Fuji and leans on his door, "Well, a certain someone woke me up because he was talking in his sleep."

Fuji smiles apologetically, "I'm sorry, I was having a nightmare."

Ryoma touches Fuji's wet cheeks, "Why did the nightmare make you cry?"

Fuji stares at his hands, "Because it's a nightmare I have every day that reminds me of why I became a soldier."

Ryoma looks at Fuji's expression and gets the feeling he shouldn't question him more. He sighs, "Why are you outside my door?"

Fuji stands up, "It's my job, although I fell asleep on the first day." He opens Ryoma's room door and pushes him inside, "No more questions, go to sleep!"

Ryoma looks at Fuji, "What about you? When are you going to sleep?"

Fuji smirks, "Are you worried about me?"

Ryoma glares at him, "No, I don't care one bit" and slams the door.

After making sure that prince Ryoma had fallen asleep, Fuji makes his way towards the garden. He opens the beautifully carved door and breathes in the different aromas. Fuji smiles as he makes his way towards the Chrysanthemums. The moonlit night made them shine like newly formed pearls. Fuji handles a chrysanthemum gently in his hand and cuts it off the bush.

He stares at it, "Mothers favorite flowers…the white chrysanthemum. Fuji walks to the table near the bush and sits down, placing the flower in front of him. Tears gently trail down his cheeks, "She always said this is the reason she married father. She died before she even could tell me the story…"

Fuji's eyes burn when he opens them to the radiant morning sun. He sits up and notices a blanket around his shoulders. He smiles when he sees prince Ryoma sleeping on the other side of the table. Fuji stands up and places the blanket around prince Ryoma, "Thank you, I change my mind, you aren't a spoiled brat."

After exploring the garden, Fuji comes up with a great idea. He picks an empty table away from the sleeping Ryoma and puts a container in the middle. He walks around the garden, cutting one white, pink, and red rose. He cuts out three chrysanthemums and a few other flowers. He brings all the flowers, as well as other items to the table and starts assorting them beautifully.

"How surprising, a solider making ikebana."

Fuji jumps at the voice coming from behind him and turns around, "Good morning prince Ryoma."

Ryoma walks around the table and stands in front of the masterpiece, "When did you learn how to arrange flowers so beautifully?"

Fuji smirks, "Why do you care? I thought you were just going to ignore me?"

Ryoma smiles, "I'm curious, it's not every day you get to meet an ikebana making soldier."

Fuji focuses on finishing the ikebana, "Nee, why is that?"

Ryoma sighs, "It is because every soldier I've encountered has a heart of stone and no talents except killing. You are different which makes you quite intriguing."

Fuji laughs "Wow what an honor, being called intriguing by a spoiled prince. "

Ryoma crosses his arms, "Che'"

Fuji sighs happily, "Finished."

Ryoma looks admiringly at the piece and at Fuji, "It's beautiful…"

Fuji blushes, "Do you really think so?"

Ryoma nods, "I wish I had the talent to make something like that."

Fuji sits down and stares at the flower arrangement, "My mother taught me when I was young. She worked as an ikebana maker so there would be all types of flower arrangements in the house."

Ryoma rests his chin on his hand, "Where is she now?"

Fuji stares at the table's pattern, "Dead, both my parents are."

Ryoma feels sympathy for what seems to be the first time in his life, "I am so sorry…I didn't mean to-

Fuji shakes his head, "Its fine, I am supposed to be over it since it happened thirteen years ago."

Ryoma stares into Fuji's ocean eyes, "Supposed? Have you not gotten over their deaths?"

Fuji diverts his eyes, not wanting Ryoma to see the glint of anger outlining his pupils, "Their deaths haunt me every night because they didn't die naturally…they were murdered."

"What? How do you know?"

Fuji sighs painfully, "I witnessed it. My father was a great general for your clan and was greatly respected. My uncle was only a knight and he envied my father for being a general. One day, my uncle and other members of father's army killed the people in our villages. They came to our house, beheaded my father and stabbed my mother though the chest."

Ryoma was at loss for words and just watched silent tears drip from Fuji's eyes. "My mother had hidden me in a corner in order for my uncle not to kill me. I hope he had because watching him kill my mother scarred my life. After that, I trained to become a soldier and was accepted into the army at age 15. When my uncle found out I was still alive, he tried to kill me, but I killed him first."

Ryoma reaches for Fuji's hand but Fuji moves it away, "Don't touch me, my hands are soiled in blood. I killed my own uncle and don't feel an ounce of regret."

Ryoma finds his voice again, "You should value your life because your mother gave up hers to save you. It is normal not to feel regret towards killing someone who killed you loved ones, even if he is your blood relative."

Fuji picks his head up and looks at Ryoma, "…you know just what to say to make someone feel better."

Ryoma looks away to hide his blush, "I wouldn't have to say anything if someone weren't acting like a sentimental five year old."

Fuji smirks, "Why don't you look at me when you say that?"

Ryoma tilts his head and looks at Fuji, "Che'"

Fuji smiles, "You didn't seem to hate sympathizing with me. Why act like you do?"

Ryoma clears his throat, "I am pretty sure my maids are panicking right now since they don't know where I am."

Ryoma stands up to leave but Fuji grabs his hand, "Wait!"

Ryoma faces Fuji, "What? Are you still feeling sad?"

Fuji shakes his head and lets go of Ryoma's hand, "I just wanted to say thank you." Ryoma nods and walks off to his room.

Fuji waits a few moments after Ryoma walks off and then leaves the garden himself. He walks to his room but a maid stops him on the way.

"Fuji-san, the king wants to see you."

Fuji nods and walks towards the king's study. He knocks on the door and enters when given permission. The kings signals him to walk closer to his desk, "Hello Fuji"

Fuji bows, "Greetings my King."

"I have a simple task for you. In the front balcony the daughter of the Ran clan's leader, Mioko, is waiting for the monthly meeting I've arranged between Ryoma and her. Please go get Ryoma but make sure you don't tell him it's to meet her because if he knew, he would lock himself in his room.

Fuji nods, "Understood."

"One more thing, please make yourself at home. Your father was my best general and a good friend. I am honored to have his son stay with me and am sure he would be proud to see what you've become."

Fuji smiles, "Thank you very much." He turns around to walk out but the king tells him to wait once more.

The king smiles, "You are young, very good looking, and about Ryoma's age. Mioko has a younger sister, Rena, and I would like to see if you are interested?"

Fuji shakes his head, "No thank you sir, I don't-

"Okay then, I'll arrange monthly meetings between you and her as well. When Mioko comes next time, I'll tell her to bring Rena."

Fuji bows once more and walks out of the study, sighing once he gets outside. He walks through many hallways and up a flight of stairs in order to get to Ryoma's room. He knocks and hears Ryoma telling him to enter.

Fuji stands, speechlessly staring at the almost naked prince Ryoma. All Ryoma had on is a towel around his waist since he had just gotten out of the bath. Fuji's eyes glaze over the silky and wet skin, "Um…"

Ryoma sighs annoyingly, "What do you want?"

Fuji clears his throat, "When you are finished getting dressed I would like you to come with me to the balcony."

Ryoma's eyebrow arches, "For what?"

Fuji runs his hand through his hair, "You'll find out when you get there."

Ryoma grunts, "I don't like surprises."

Fuji sighs, "Just get dressed" and waits outside patiently for him. After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Ryoma comes out and Fuji starts guiding him to the balcony.

"Are you going to tell me what's waiting for me?"

They reach the door leading to the balcony and Fuji smirks, "I am sure you will not like it."

"Why do you say-

"Hello prince Ryoma."

Ryoma stares at Mioko for a few seconds but then glares at Fuji, "Father involved you didn't he?"

Fuji laughs, "I am sorry prince Ryoma, I had no choice."

Ryoma tries to walk away from the balcony but Fuji stops him, "No can do. Give her a chance, it's not like you have to marry her."

Ryoma grabs Fuji by the collar and lowers his voice, "Don't act like you know everything. For your information, I'll have to marry her next year in order for us to strengthen our bonds with the Ran clan. I told my parents I didn't want marriage but my father doesn't care."

Fuji smirks, "Fierce aren't we now? Just make her dislike you so that she would have no desire to marry you.

Ryoma lets go of Fuji, "It is not that easy, I have to set a good image since I am the future king. I can't severe our connection with the Ran clan."

Fuji smiles, "Well that's a tough situation, have fun. I'll enjoy seeing you try to solve it."

Ryoma glares at Fuji but smirks, "Hnn, I'll make sure you do."

Fuji watches Ryoma walk over to Mioko and say hello while kissing her hand. Fuji sits on the chair by the balcony doors and watches over them. An amused grin forms on Fuji's face, *What are you trying to do Ryoma? Envy, that's impossible. Why would I be envious of her, you are a man.* But as Fuji watches Ryoma sweet talk and laugh with Mioko, that statement's liability grows greater.