Chapter 15: Brother

I groaned, shrugging my shoulders back and forth in circles. This week has been quite stressful. Not to talk about the upcoming wedding. Even though it's not my wedding, I feel tense and stress in my body. Some of the wedding visitors had arrived a while ago, even days ago.

Haki had been worried about me staying late in my office. She has been also trying to take some of my duties, so I can have a longer rest. Although her idea is good, it wouldn't work for me.

I got up from the chair, after placing all the papers orderly. Switching, blowing off the lights, I closed the door of my office gently. I placed my coat on my shoulders.

Walking through the palace, everything is been settled for the wedding. The flowers, the flags, the bells, the... lots of things. It reminds me of my own wedding.

Although I was tired, I wanted to make sure some guests are still not lost. I heard clashes and soft groans. I wanted to see who it could be by this time of the night, so, I walked a bit faster. And there he was. I sighed.

"What are you doing, at this time of the night?" I asked walking down the stairs.

He turned. He looked a bit surprised but then smiled. "Hey, brother."

Walking down, I saw his tunic and belt on the floor, properly laid. And two bottles next to them. Then that means someone is or was here. Who could it be?

"So, what are you doing here?" I asked putting my shoulder coats down, next to his.

He didn't answer me, just waved his wood sword for me to guess what he's up to.

"Care for a match?" I queried.

"Oh yes. That would be delightful." He said in a beam.

We took our time and then in seconds we were clashing like there's no one who couldn't hear us.

Zen's sword skill has improved impressively. He's more careful of his surroundings and more... proper.

His breath was hitching. He was playing fairly and squarely. I couldn't help but give all my best shots. I haven't fight like this in years and I wouldn't be fighting like this with him for years. Probably my last fight with him.

With the last clash, we were both tired, panting, a bit sweaty. Our match was a tie. We just stared into each other's eyes, not saying anything.

"Care for a drink?" Zen broke the silence. I nodded my head. Zen took two bottles into his hand and gestured one for me, whilst sitting on one of the stairs.

"Isn't it someone else's?" I asked pointing at the full watered bottle. He just shakes his head.

"Well, it was actually for Mitsuhide, but he couldn't make it. Because he had something to take care of. And also, I wanted to be alone." Zen handed me the drink. I opened it and drank, so did he.

Zen put his tunic and belt on, wrinkled. We were sitting there in silence. Of course, I knew he had questions on his mouth, ready to pout out like there's no next time. But he restrained himself, like a gentleman.

"Time passes." I finally broke the silence with a loud whisper. Zen immediately rotated his skull to look at me.

"Just years ago, you were born. When I was told I was having a sibling, I didn't know if to be happy or to be sad. Since I wasn't sure having a sibling was like. And then I found out, I had a baby brother. He had a deep platinum blond hair, deep sapphire blue eyes. I felt like I could freeze when I was told, I should hold you. You were so fragile.

You were always smiling. For some reason, you liked me, liked being with me. I didn't know why. You were, looked different than I imagined you to be. I thought siblings would be so annoying, I would have to put them in a boiling fire and take them to Wilant to cool them.- Zen couldn't help but chuckle- But you were different, very different. Years couldn't come that much until he passed away. I know, you don't have many memories of him, but he cherished you, very much. -I could feel Zen close his eyes, imagining about our father.- To be honest, I would love to see the late King Kain's face, if he was to know his youngest son is getting married.

You very innocent, cute, obedient, you name it. But it all ended when intransigence started hitting you like small stones. -Although I was looking away, I could feel Zen smiling.- You were gladly accepting. You became so challenging and somehow difficult to handle. Within that period, a red-haired maiden came into your life.

I must admit, I was a bit determined to take her out of your life. I was proceeding, till I found out that, she wasn't any less changeling as you were. Shirayuki. Stubborn, just like you. She had already made up her mind in staying and befriending you. The only way was to see if she really deserved the title of friending you. I tested her, you and your relationship. The both of you never ceases to disappoint me, instead amazed me. Within her two-year research, you changed. And even changed more as she influenced you. And now you're marrying her. I couldn't help, but to give my blessing, because only goodness knows what would have happened if I hadn't given my blessings."

Zen couldn't help laugh. "But I'm still cute, ain't I?" Zen asked running his hands through his hair.

"Oh, you still are. Very very." I said playfully.

Zen smiled, looking away. I just looking away.

"You have a wedding, you know," I said drinking again. Zen stood up, ready to leave.

"Before you leave, I have placed some papers on your study table. Clean it all up, then you get to marry Shirayuki. Unfinished it, I cancel the wedding." I said in a serious tone.

Zen looked at me with wide eyes. He looked like he could kill me. With that, he left without a word.

My brother, my sweet little brother. It's really good that I have a brother like him. He will never know, how much I cherish him and love him. If not for him, I wouldn't ever know what it's like to love and hold someone like an egg, as if afraid to let it fall. So did Haki.

I was sitting there thinking about the world and everything until I heard fast approaching footsteps. It was close. I could already feel the aura, an evil, angry aura, to be precise.

I quickly took the wooden sword that was beside me and swung it in the air. Oh, it's just him again. I thought I had sent him away. He did look angry though.

"Oh, what wrong? Cancelling your wedding already?" I asked smirking evilly.

"You...!" Zen shouted. Swing his sword around.

Zen managed to take a wooden sword and we drifted into another sword. I was laughing around, smiling having fun while my brother looked so pissed off, ready to clear my smile off.

"There were no papers on my table. You only wanted to send me to Oblivion." Zen said between clashes.

"You seriously believed me? I thought you didn't trust me." I said sadly. We went back to fighting each other.

"If you really want to duel that badly, then you're on. But if you lose, I will seriously without joke cancel your wedding." I said in a firm tone.

"You are on. And if you lose, you will have to tell the whole Kingdom, you are not worthy of a King." Zen said. Well, that's not bad. I can do that. "-And also tell them, I, the future Grand Prince of Clarines, commanded you," Zen added proudly. His last words made me so angry. I was now in the mood to really fight him.

Almost all the duels were a tie. And it was all part of the plan, to restrain him. I knew Zen couldn't sleep because he was so nervous about tomorrow. The only way to make him sleep is to keep him exhausted. And it was working perfectly.

We ran around the duel area. I was still laughing, teasing him about his relationship with Shirayuki. It all ended up with a smile. We did our last fist clash, just like when we were kids. And we both parted ways. A better brother, wouldn't be needed.

A/N:

Hiya!

I know many of you are desperately waiting for the wedding day, so am I myself.

I wanted to post this, because I wanted to write something about Zen and his brother, Izana.

And you guys must have known, I'm having a tough schedule because the academical year is ending, so tests and projects are coming like there's no future. -_-

So, I won't be posting much. But I promise to try my best and write as soon as I can.

Hope you enjoyed;)