He had been on galas before, after the war of the island everyone wants to celebrate, or even on the valley the festivals where more than less usually, but nothing compare to a party on the capital, on the King castle, everything shine, hundred of candles adorn the immense salon, the food… the food! Yamato hate himself everytime he taste anything, he was the son of a merchant, why his palate should be so exquisite?
Also he hate the amount of satisfaction to bring him the finest fabrics, the silk and cotton of his suit contrast with the armor he were on the daily basis and he couldn't avoid the feeling that he liked it a little too much; the bring lights, the music, the appetizers, everything to celebrate the four finalist of the tournament, he didn't deserve all that, he didn't even fight, he just put a show, he was a clow more than a fighter.
True doesn't matter on the nobility, he knew that, they with theirs games and rules, everyone enjoy the party, the ladies of the court have no repair on drop their eyelashes to him, people who never talk to him before wish him luck, King Joe toasted on his name, the princess conceal him a smile, his mother not even look at him when they cross on the aisle.
The only one who seen more apathetic than him was Iori Hida, sitting in a corner, stoic, watching his brothers get drunk after their defeats, he thought in come near to him, start a conversation about the pointless of the gala,the hypocrisy of the kings, if only the sound of Lori´s father head smashing the ground wasn´t graven on his memories.
Yamato must deal with his war crimes, his lost family and the pressure of the tournament, he could do it, he was ready for everything, and everything arrives pass the sunset, dressing on a white suit and an insufferable smile.
There were not too many parties on the burning mountains, the priest believes the music and licor make easiest the fall into the darkness, luckily for Taichi he wasn't a priest; still his sister make him stay until late on the temple, asking the light for help, for blessing, it was until her alchemist lesson begun that he was free to join the celebration, and a Party on the capital, in his honor, in his race to be king; he enter for the biggest door, drink the best wine and yell harder than anyone in each one of the toasts.
He will win, he could taste the glory, his hands shake on emotion, his ears buzz and his smile hurt, the people talk about his fight and he get tired to tell the story of how he figured out Davis strategy to everyone on the gala, or almost to everyone.
The wolf knight ignore him no,the wolf knight clearly doesn't has the manners of the nobility and didn't take his time to present his respect to him, even when they sit on the same table he didn't even look at him, he was to busy taking compliments from the sea king and the princess, even prince Takeru and he talk like if they were old friends, Yamato Ishida thought so much from himself, with his distant attitude and his beautiful features.
So, when the wolf Knight left the Table Taichi follow him with the eyes, afraid of been overtaken, i wouldnt be difficult, Yamato Ishida exhibits an elegance witch what Taichi could only dream about.
The music star and he get up, to his left Davis and Ken drunk and sing, for one moment Taichi hesitate, how many opportunities like that he would have? he dies for some fun, but no, he bite his tongue and in a bold move he walk to the principal table, pretending to not notice their hands tangled between their seats.
"May I?" Taichi inclinate in front of the princess asking for a dance
"Of course" the queen mother respond immediately, pushing her daughter to the dance floor.
The movement has the impact Taichi was looking for, everyone attention change to them.
"Did you enjoy the tournament?" he ask, wanting a small talk, desperate for connecting with her, the rhythm of the song bring them together and the beauty of the lady was overwhelming, still the knight was more worried about the people around them that for the hand he was holding
"Yes, i… really did" she force a smile,also looking around, posing her eyes once on her mother and then to the crowd behind Taichi " but if i must be honest not all the fights were as good as your sir Yagami"
"oh please, you can call me Taichi" her compliment was a victory "after today exhibition i'm sure none of the competitor would be rivals to me" she raise an eyebrow exceptical "well, we see the poor attempt of a fight from the Sea king and the wolf knight, no truly a magnus event, and sure Iori master the classic style of the Honest Island but he is not a treat, if you are familiar with the technique it´s become easy to avoid that attacks, and even when the ability of the prince is remarkable I must said he is a little too rough, maybe in a few years when he refine his movements and add some speed and coordination he would be a fearsome opponent"
"So, what you said " she add with an unexpected grin "is that someone with the same technique that my cousin but with more experience and in…" she blush "better shape would be an opponent you would be worried about?"
"ham.. " he doub "yes but if a swordsman like that exist i'm not sure.."
"Did you know who train the Prince right?" Taichi felt a knock in the stomach, not sure of what she was implying.
The music stop and the princess left the dance floor, again her gaze was fixed on the crowd behind Taichi and he didn't need to turn around to guess who was she looking for.
Pretentious, vain, self absorbed, impulsive,privileged, unbearable; without a doubt Yagami Taichi personified everything that Yamato despise about nobility and meanwhile the princess and the knight roll around over the dance floor the young man feel his blood boil, did the competition mean nothing to him?
He must assume that Yagami would try some trick like that, the boy loves the attention, but he would never predict what happens next: the song end, he rest alone in the center of the salon watching the princess leave and then he turn around, his long cape wave and his steps found his way until the corner where Yamato was hidding.
"Is true that you train the prince?" he ask, and Yamato hate how friendly he sound, insecure he panics.
"Yes" That must be enough, he didn't need to know any of the complication of his relationship with the prince "he past some summers on the valley"
"You live on the valley?" dam, another question "i thought you serve on the islands"
He has no intention to chat with the heir of the burning mountains, he owe him no explanations
"No, i live on the valley, i was appointed head of the guard in the garden fort since the war ended" why he keep talking?
"Weird" his smile took Yamato by surprise " you and Jou look like really good friends" Who was he to refer at the Sea king by his first name? "and i had never been on the island but i assume they didn't call it the paradise for nothing"
Their friendship was not of his business and if he didn't know the island how he could possible understand what that place mean for Yamato?
"The valley is where i born, its feel natural for me to come back" he bite his tongue, and pretending disinterest he look for a glass of wine, with all certainty that would help him with that conversation, maybe Taichi would take a hint and leave him alone
"I don't understand , how a valley boy ended on the middle of the island war?
Yamato want to scream, and in a way he did
"my dad is a merchant, i sail with him since i have memory, Jou´s family were our more loyal customers, we met when we were childs, when he call for a rebellion i just follow him"
"uh" Taichi exclaim and also take a glass a wine; for a moment Yamato feel relief," it must be a fun childhood, sail with your family across the continent!" his enthusiasm seemed genuine "i rarely leave the mountains, i bet you know some amazing places"
"Yeah,..." he doub, paying attention to Taichi's gestures, his eyes bright at the opportunity of adventure, more than that Yamato notice in him a bit of jealousy "but, we were really just my dad and me not, you know, not a big family" he must shut up before said anything else,but a part of him was angry, Yagami has nothing to envy, he doesn´t know nothing about him "my parents weren't married when i born, in fact my father found out about my birth when my mother abandoned me in front of his door, and he was decent enough to not throw me to the ocean, not like the thought never had cross his mind…" he laught, hoping to light the mood, regretting every word
Taichi gaze change so quickly from expectation to worry no, it was no worry, it was pity, and Yamato fears materialize in an awkward smile
"what a..." he tried to sound polite and Yamato feel even worse "unfortunate.." clearly the knight struggle with words "I.. sorry to hear that but if that is the case, how…"
"How did i get to be knight?" he interrupt guessing what he was about to said, what everyone always said when they knew about his origins "how a bastard like me get this far?!"
"no" Taichi rush "i mean that´s weird but i suppose the laws on the island are not as strict as the ones on the mountains" somehow he ended as nervous as Yamato " i don't care if you…"
"Yamato!" another voice sound "Yamato!" Prince Takeru approach to them "sir Yagami" he react to Taichi present, surprise to see them talking "what are you doing?" he mumble, recognize in his brother eyes the panic "did you wanna to help me? i´m.. am.. starting a improvisation and my hand still hurt from the fight so, i thought maybe you could help me with the instrument and" Yamato nod with his head, he just want to leave that place with at least some of his dignity "You know that technically you are still a knight at the serve of my house and you can't said no to any of my request right?"
"really?" usually Takeru never used his status agains him but he recognize the playful tone on his brother voice "Be careful, by this hour tomorrow i could be your king..."
"Yea.. like that is gonna happen " Taichi laughs and the two of them turn to him, what a pretentious little brat, Yamato walk away from him, following Takeru to the place where the band was a few minutes ago, they didn't even star to play when the princess attention was already on them, or better said, on him.
For the first time in all night Yamato conceal her a smile, clear and beautiful , the kind of smile that would make a bride blush, and just enough, he hope, to infuriate the knight of light.
He almost never understand poetry, it wasn't for him, but listening to Takeru and Yamato, he realize why her sister enjoy it so much, surely the blond hair, blue eyes and beautiful smile must play an important part in her taste for fine arts, he couldn't blame Kari or princess Sora for that mater.
Still he can't repress his feelings, his strong unnamed feeling. It was unfair, Yamato was handsome, brave and humble, he shouldn't be able to play that little sitar with the skill of a master, no just after told him about his past, it was a lie? was he playing with his emotions? trying to gain his sympathy? he could in a certain way admire his attempt to win the heart of the princess, it was something Taichi try before, even when it was pointless, it doesn't mater who princess Sora prefers, she would married the winner.
And im a winner, he mutter
Forget the ball and the dancing and the talks! They were the reals contenders, if he could fight Yamato Ishida right away, erased that stupid little smile and shut his sad eyes, discover of what was he truly capable… Of all the finalist Yamato manage to be the only one who keep his technique in secret. Would he had an elegance defense or a rought attack? would he surrender when he push him agains the floor or he´ll fight until the last minute?
Desperation, that was the name of his feeling, patient wasn´t his virtue.
And just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, one of the Princess stand out, Takeru´s mother, surely for a boring discourse.
"Welcome everyone!" she smile, happinest look odd on her "We are honor for this wonderful celebration" The queen mother approach to said something but Ritsuko shut her down with a sight of her hand and Yamato recognize her gaze over him.
It was strange, worse than strange, surreal, after all those years his mother finally look at him, and it was terrifying. His pulse increse, his hand sweat, he turn to his brother, but Takeru look down and Yamato could spot the shame on his posture.
"I´m glad to take this opportunity to congratulate our four brilliant finalist" the whole room explote on claps and yells, she raise her cup "for Taichi Yagami!" Taichi make a quick reverence happy to take the complement, and Yamato amuse of how easy was for him to please the crowd, he only need to wave and everyone cheered; "For Lori Hida" She continues with a note of contempt, still Lori´s brother scream even louder that the light fanatics and lift him over their shoulders, for the first time ever Yamato see him smile and realize how young he really was, God… he was barely a kid; "For prince Takeru!" a big part of the court yells and Yamato get nervous of what was coming "For Yamato Ishida"
His name sound wrong on her mother libs
"Of course as the mother of one of the contenders i can´t be impartial" Princess Sora laughts and Yamato decide that maybe the posibility of married her wouldn´t be so awful "I think we all know the wonder that my son is, noble cradle and pure ascendent, selfless and worried for those on need" the mother queen roll her eyes and Taichi grin at him, if Yamato had not been so nervous he would have returned the gesture "But i´m not here to talk about his virtues, you all would see them in the futurE" she smile again and Yamato feel the cold running for his body " I want to bring your attention to the other contender who also wear my family insignia" his hands trembled" I could not be more proud, you see, when Yamato Ishida come to the garden ford a few years ago, asking for the opportunity to serve to our family and swore a life of loyalty over my beloved husband sword, i never imagined that he would end here, fighting for the crown"
Takeru hold his brother arm and whisper something that sound like an apology
"I mean, anyone would believe that after a swore like that he would fight on the name of his lord" she took a small sip of her glass, tasting the wine " i must congrat my dear niece for allow such a modern display for this tournament, not only one, but two knights compete by their own names, magnificent, unprecedented …."
"Ritsuko…" The queen mother stand up next to her "is enough"
"Some could said you broke your votes" but she did not stop "that you two forgot the honor and devotion you once promise, but that would be an exaggeration" Lori wasn't smiling any more " i wish the best luck to all four of you!" She finish the toast still looking directly at him and it was until she turn away that Yamato could finally breath.
Well, that wasn´t boring
Lori and the rest the knights of the honest island left the dinner of course, Taichi saw Joe and Yamato talking after their departure, they argue about it, he couldn´t hear them well, but Joe look upset and Yamato look… he wasn´t sure, he didn't know how to describe him, he has the right to be mad, he was insulted, his honor was questioned, still Yamato didn't look angry.
Taichi try to come near to talk to him, but Ishida moves like a shadow, and for his frustration in every step he was stop by some duke or earl, all own an opinion over the princess discourse, he didnt get surprise by the common agreement, he knew the kind of rapine that abounded on the court, some of them laughs and he respond with a smile of courtesy, but again patient wasn´t his virtue.
All men are born equals, is their proximity to the light what separate them, that was the first mandament of the regimen, that´s why every knights has the right to be king.
The music star again and the people congregate in the dance floor, Princess Sora remains on her sit talking with her maids, it was his opportunity, if he ask her for one more dance; more than the half of the court support him, the queen mother approves him, one more dance and would be no doubt that he was the stronger contender.
But then Yamato get out and without even think about it Taichi follow him
In the many years that would come Taichi would often remember that moment, sometimes with joy and others with angry; Yamato Ishida dress in gala, staring at the moon, surrounded by the most beautiful garden, visible irritated, eyes at the edge of tears, jaws clench, messy hair and complete unaware of his presence, that would be the most gorgeous vision.
He couldn´t count the minutes he stay there, admiring the view
"What do you want?" the deep cold voice moused him
"I.. " he could thing in nothing good to say "I follow you"
"I can see that" Yamato laughs "Why you follow my? your greatness"
The qualify didn't get unnotice by Taichi but remain him that he must not feel threating by Ishida, but that same feeling bring him down, he wasn´t better than him, worse, he wasn´t better than those dukes and vultures of the gala, that was what Yamato thought of him? that he was some kind of spoil little prince?
"The light said that all men…"
"I don't care what the light said!" he interrumpt and Taichi control his impulse of confrontation, the light was sacred for him and his people "I care what you think"
That miserable of Yamato, he would be his doom
"She is wrong" He said calmly and Yamato look at him with caution "The Princess was wrong, you didn't betray your word, you has the right as same as Iori to fight, Im not better that you, i mean.. " he grin "i´m a superior swordman but that doesn´t mean…" Yamato v have that much power over him, but it was stupid to lie at this point, no when his nervous eyes point at him, where did his security go? where was that stupid pretentious knight who look for a fight since his white horse?
He must stop, it was to risky, to stupid, to impulse… but the stupid brat didnt move, instead he open his mouth and doesnt said anything
It amused him how much control of the situation Taichi allowed him, because that was what he envy of him so much: how in control he look, he was own of himself, he has that type of confident that was imposible to fake, he want to kiss him so badly.
And he did it
And he could feel Taichi´s hand tremble on his back and then those same hands hold him with the strength of a fighter, it was perfect, for a moment it was perfect.
He has never kiss like that before, Taichi consider himself an impulse personA still each one of his actions were made with absolutely certain and somehow that man manage to surprise him, it was so unexpected that he coudnt even close his eyes but Yamato does, and he could see witch how much tender his eyebrow move, his left hand follow the right and both cup his face with tenderness, it was absurd, so much caring shouldn´t be alloud in a first kiss.
Yamato was distand and serius and intense, that softness couldn´t belong to him, it was a mistake, and It wasn´t fear, he was no coward but Yamato look angry when he push him away, maybe he use more force than the necessary
"This isn´t right" Taichi must chose his words better and in agony he realize his mistake when Yamato let him go
"Don't worry" he rush, his pale cheeks were red "I wouln´t tell anyone"
"What?" it was horrible, it wasn´t what he was trying to said but Yamato shake his arm when he try to reach him and walk away, Taichi want to scream, he want to stop him, to beg him to come back and hold him again, unfortunately he remembered where they were and who they where.
Yamato decide it, the next time he would touch Taichi Yagami would be with the blade of his sword.