128A/N: Thank you, dear readers, for sticking with me and this story for as long as I've been writing it. I've already begun a full rewrite, but will do my best to keep updating, here, until I'm ready to start replacing chapters. I'm doing this for a few reasons: I want my plot and character interactions to be more cohesive, realistic, and believable; I want Haruhi to be older, more mature, and have a healthier relationship with Nekozawa that isn't portrayed as something controlling and abusive; and I want my chapters to be longer and have more depth. I've grown so much as a writer, and I've developed so much love for this story that I want to make it shine. Granted, this means I've changed A LOT of the original content, but the core themes and plot points are still intact, and I'm genuinely happy with what I've written, so far. I promise it's so much better, and I can't wait to share what I've created. When I'm close to the debut I'll start dropping teasers.
From here until my rewrite, I want to go ahead and apologize for any minute inconsistencies you might come across in the timeline. I'm trying to keep all my characters on the same timeline, right now, but it's starting to get a bit sticky with so many characters in different locations. I appreciate your patience and critique, and feedback is always appreciated so please review!
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Chapter 28: Promises
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Ouran Castle
With the Harvest Festival on the horizon, the kingdom of Ouran was abuzz from sun-up to sun-down, from the center of the castle to the outer gates. Royalty and commoners alike were tidying their shops and homes, and the innkeepers were hiring extra staff to accommodate all the travelers they were expecting. The king's knights, in particular, were diligently training to put on a good show for the attendees as well as maintain a safe environment for them.
A cluster of colorful tents had overtaken the training grounds, and all the knights and their squires were having a bit of breakfast before diving into that day's training session. Hikaru yawned and scratched his head while he waited in line for his bowl of eggs and porridge. Once he acquired his piping hot bowl of food, he grabbed a cup of ale and made his way over to a group of his mates that were exchanging banter. Hikaru grunted a 'good morning' and took his usual seat.
"Damn, Hikaru, you look like hell," one of the men said.
"Have another fight with the wife?" teased another.
"Harr harr," replied Hikaru, "I swear, that bastard thinks all of his problems will go away if he keeps to his old habits."
"Must have a lot of problems, then," the man on his left joked, "At the rate he's going there won't be a woman left on the continent who hasn't shared his bed."
Hikaru rolled his eyes and was about to lift a spoonful of egg to his mouth when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and to his side stood one of the castle's servant girls.
"Excuse me, Sir Hikaru? I was instructed to deliver this message to you." She presented him with a folded piece of parchment.
"Uh, thanks," said Hikaru as he took the note she held out to him. The servant curtsied and skittered away. Hikaru flipped the note over and groaned at the sight of his brother's wax seal. He sighed and slid his finger under the fold.
Hikaru,
Out with Kyoya. Be back for the festival.
-Kaoru
Hikaru felt little bubbles of irritation break the surface of his skin and pop. He crumpled up Kaoru's note and stuffed it in his pocket before furiously shoveling the rest of his food past his clenched jaw.
"I swear, my brother will be the death of me," he growled. Hikaru finished the last of his food and chugged his cup of ale. He took his empty dishes and returned them to the cooking staff.
"What do you think that was about?" one of the men asked.
"Could be anything, honestly. You know, ever since the king pardoned Kaoru, Hikaru feels responsible for him."
"For crying out loud, Kaoru's a grown man! Hikaru shouldn't have to govern his every move."
"It's hard to believe those two are even twins," someone else said. Everyone nodded in agreement and there was a moment of silence while they ate.
Then, the last man in their group suddenly burst out laughing, "Hey, remember when Kaoru made Mori's cock hard?" The rest of the group erupted in raucous laughter.
Hikaru was near his tent, ready to grab his gear and get a head start on that day's training when he heard one of the head guards call everyone to the edge of the jousting arena. Hikaru sighed, and reluctantly turned heel, following his peers toward the seating that had been erected for their future audience. Hikaru would try to wrestle Kaoru from his mind, later.
At the front of the crowd, standing on a small stage, was one of the castle sentries holding a large cone to his mouth so he could address everyone in the group.
"Alright, everyone!" he bellowed, "Let's review! As you're all aware, the Harvest Festival is fast-approaching and as members of the Royal Guard we will be responsible for three things! Firstly and most importantly, we are here to protect the Crown and the people. If you witness or are called upon to intervene in an altercation, it is your duty and responsibility to heed that call and put an end to it. Alternatively, if you sense that a situation is about to escalate into violence, you must take action. It's worth noting that King Suoh is once again opening our borders to everyone, which means," his tone turned a bit sour, "that magick-users will once again be allowed to enter our vicinity and...mingle...with the common folk. Some magick-users will be allowed to set up shop in a designated marketplace, provided that they've been registered with the royal clerk ahead of time and have obtained written permission to do so. There will be a separate group tasked with ensuring all vendors selling magickal goods and services are properly licensed, but you may be asked to step in if an unregistered storefront is reported. All magick-users are also required to wear this symbol," he pulled a small doll made of straw from his pocket and lifted it up for the crowd to see, "pinned to their clothing and in open view at all times. This is to keep them honest by making all our citizens aware of their...origins...before they decide to engage in business or exchange coin with them. If you suspect non-compliance, in any form, you have full authority to investigate and detain all rulebreakers." The sentry pocketed the straw doll and continued his speech, "And don't anybody piss off the fae - we don't want a repeat of what happened last year."
The crowd of knights all started to shift uncomfortably and murmured amongst themselves. Hikaru had almost forgotten about last year when Kaoru almost cost the kingdom it's transportation contracts with the fae people when he attempted to seduce both Senator Aya and her sister at the same time. Fast travel, uninterrupted supply chains, and powerful allies were all a hair's breadth away from being cut off completely. If the Queen hadn't stepped in and fixed everything; well, it wouldn't have been the first time a war broke out because a man put his dick first. Hikaru shook the thought from his head and returned his attention up front.
"Secondly," the sentry continued, "we are to promote unity across the nations. There will be royals and nobles from other regions and kingdoms in attendance, and we are to treat them with utmost respect and hospitality. Our presence is not meant to threaten, but to show that we are strong allies to keep! Among the representatives that will be attending this year's festival is Prince Tamaki's betrothed - your future Queen! It is imperative that we all be on our best behavior and exude valor and chivalry. Additionally, participation in this year's ball will be mandatory for all those not on continuous guard duty. If you do not have a lady to escort you will be matched with someone from one of the visiting noble families."
Hikaru tensed up at that last sentence. He wasn't sure he'd be up for finding a date to the ball, especially with so many people confusing him for his twin. Maybe he could request to be on full guard duty before the assignments were posted.
"Thirdly," announced the sentry, "let's put on a bloody good show! The tournaments are to provide entertainment to the people as well as demonstrate the strength of Ouran's armies to our allies. Now, are there any questions?"
One man in the back perked up and hollered, "Can we reinstate last year's special contest?"
"Ah, yes, of course!" exclaimed the sentry, "Thank you for reminding me. Alright gents, just like last year, and just for fun, ten shillings will be awarded to any man who can find a woman that hasn't been bedded by Kaoru, yet!"
The crowd of knights hooted and hollered while they playfully nudged Hikaru and slapped his back teasingly. Hikaru put on a sarcastic smile and tried to play along, "Haha, very funny; I get it," he muttered.
"Alright lads," said the sentry, "Suit up and get to training! The next time you see me, I'll have your festival assignments." The knights cheered and then dispersed to their designated training areas. Hikaru, thankful to get away from the crowd, quickly retrieved his armor and felt relieved to engage in something that would keep his mind off of Kaoru.
If only that were what actually happened.
Hikaru hadn't lasted two seconds in the training pits before annoyance with his twin resurfaced and consumed his entire being. Their latest conversation and this morning's note - it all kept replaying in his head, and Hikaru kept thinking of new things he should have said in retort. He was beyond pissed. So much so, that he almost forgot who he was sparring with when he swung his broadsword upward to cleave his opponent's armor in the armpit. Onlookers gasped and one of his superiors shouted profanities, screaming at him to fall back. His opponent didn't seem to mind the shift in Hikaru's attitude and flawlessly defended himself with quick footwork. Iron clashed with steel, and more gasps from the growing nearby audience did not go unnoticed. Hikaru saw his opening and glided underneath his opponent's swinging arm, sweeping behind him, but not before the hilt of a sword dented one of his pauldrons along the way, causing him to lose his balance and fall flat on his face. Hikaru hit the ground and felt the tip of his opponent's sword pressing into the exposed skin on the back of his neck.
Hikaru sighed and relaxed his muscles. He had been defeated. A pregnant pause held the air for a moment, and then his opponent sheathed his sword and helped Hikaru to his feet. Their impromptu audience erupted in roaring cheers and applause, and some of the women wiped their brows and sighed in relief. A group of squires and servants surrounded the two fighters, relieved them of their weapons, and began the mechanical process of removing their armor.
A brunette woman with a long braid draped over her shoulder enthusiastically approached Hikaru after all of his armor had been removed. She scooped up his damaged pauldron in her arms and shooed the squires away.
"I'll have her back to you as good as new by tomorrow, Sir Knight!" The woman flashed a smile and skipped off in delight. Hikaru's opponent came into view in his peripheral and clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Looks like the blacksmith's daughter has taken quite a liking to you," teased Tamaki. Hikaru scoffed.
"I'm sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I look exactly like someone who had his face buried between her thighs, recently," he said bitterly.
Tamaki wrapped his arm around Hikaru's shoulders and pulled the biting redhead into his side. "Walk with me?"
Before Hikaru could reluctantly agree, Tamaki was already leading him away from the training grounds and toward the courtyard gardens. Tamaki released Hikaru when he felt sure he'd keep following him.
"I really do worry about your brother, sometimes," said Tamaki, sighing. "At the rate he's going, he'll never find a wife." Hikaru snorted.
"As if he would ever settle down to bed only one woman for the rest of his life - not that marriage would ever discourage his amorous behavior." Hikaru frowned and snatched a flower from a nearby bush and began dismantling it petal by petal. Tamaki, sensing his irritation, quickly changed the subject.
"Thank you for not going easy on me, today," he praised, "You're the only one who pushes my limits and doesn't treat me like I'm made of porcelain." Hikaru grinned, his mood instantly improving. He tossed aside his partially disassembled flower.
"If only the High Constable saw it that way. I'm sure he nearly fainted when I almost landed that blow. If previous conversations are any indication, he's going to lecture me endlessly the next time I get within arm's reach of him. It's a little insulting, actually - I wouldn't dare wound my Prince, and I know for a fact that my Prince has spectacular footwork," said Hikaru with a smirk.
"Indeed," said Tamaki, smiling. The two continued walking until they reached the center of the gardens and sat down on one of the benches that lined the choppy pond.
"It truly warms my heart to know how much you value our training sessions, but I must confess that I wasn't wholly focused on our spar." Hikaru sighed.
"Oh?" replied Tamaki, "What's bothering you, then?"
Hikaru fished the crumpled note from his pocket and handed it to Tamaki. "This morning I received that message from my insufferable brother telling me that he's skipped town with Kyoya. He usually says goodbye or at least tells me where he's going and when he's leaving, but I suppose if Kyoya is with him he won't be getting into too much trouble. That's his only saving grace, right now."
Tamaki smoothed out Hikaru's crumpled note before refolding it and handing it back to him.
"Now that you mention it, I do remember overhearing Kyoya speaking with my father and requesting to take Kaoru and Mori on an assignment, with him; however, I didn't think they were leaving anytime soon. If it's any consolation, Kyoya also didn't say goodbye or tell me where they were going."
"Well," said Hikaru, "if Mori's with them that at least takes some of the worry off my shoulders. He's better than Kyoya about keeping Kaoru on a short leash."
"Are they still at odds with one another?"
"Of course! Well, I know Kaoru doesn't think it was a big deal, but Mori is still mortified and he has every right to be! After everything my brother has been through, you would think he'd learn to show some remorse or sympathy for his actions. Sometimes I think he goes out of his way to rile me up."
"If you don't mind my asking, what did you two argue about, this time?" asked Tamaki. Hikaru bit the inside of his cheek.
"I caught him bent over one of the kitchen maids in a closet, yesterday, and instead of understanding why I was upset with him he criticized me for not engaging in similar activities." Hikaru's face went sour.
"Ah, I can relate to that, somewhat," said Tamaki. "Éclair has been trying to bed me for months, now, and I know it's my grandmother that's putting her up to it! It is not my intention to father a bastard before marriage. I'm sure I will be able to perform that duty with my wife without needing to prove I can do so beforehand."
"Well, the situations are different for you and I," spluttered Hikaru, his face heating up, "You are the King and Queen's only son; there's a lot of pressure on you to produce a viable heir."
There was a pregnant pause between the two men, and Tamaki fiddled with his fingers.
"Say, Hikaru? May I confide in you? There's...something that's been weighing on my mind, lately."
"Of course, my Prince! What troubles you?" Hikaru snapped out of his embarrassment and gave Tamaki renewed attention.
"Do you recall the vows you made when you were knighted? Would you mind reciting them for me?" asked Tamaki. Hikaru was confused, but obliged.
"Of course," Hikaru stood and cleared his throat, "I vow to protect my kingdom, my country, and my people. My sword is an arm of virtue, and my shield is a hearth of compassion. I will heed the calls of my brethren, provide honest judgement for my actions, and deliver justice to those that seek its audience. I will never fall victim to the disease that is lust, and I will strike down all forms of malevolence. I am a body meant to keep the peace, and I will give my life if necessary."
Hikaru took a deep breath as he finished while Tamaki wiped away a single tear and gave a soft clap. "Beautiful," he said, "Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but when you say you will 'never fall victim to the disease that is lust,' you aren't explicitly proclaiming celibacy, are you?"
"Um, well…" Hikaru started to sweat, "Does it matter?" he laughed nervously.
"I'm just saying," continued Tamaki with a sly grin, "if celibacy was what you had in mind when writing your vows, why not just say the word?"
Hikaru's face was full vermillion by this point, and he could feel literal steam escaping from every pore.
"A-uh-b-because," he spluttered, "It-it might be nice...you know...having a family of my own...some day."
Tamaki gave the biggest grin he could muster before clapping his friend around the shoulders.
"Wonderful!" exclaimed the Prince. "Mother has been trying to arrange Mori's marriage, I'm sure she would help you out, too!"
"Hold on just a minute, now! Wh-what are you going on about?!" questioned Hikaru, "I'm not looking for a wife, right now!"
"Ah, but if our children are to be betrothed, you'll need to start fathering them around the same time I do."
Hikaru was about to protest further, but Tamaki's last sentence stopped him in his tracks. All the awkward tension left his body and an overwhelming sensation of joy and disbelief consumed his senses. He stared dumbfounded at the blonde, unsure if he heard him correctly.
"I...what…pardon?"
"I wish for our children to be married," repeated Tamaki. Hikaru fought to maintain his composure.
"You would...join our houses...just like that?" he asked.
"I've known you for a long time, Hikaru," said Tamaki, "You're one of our most trusted knights, but more importantly one of my closest friends. We share similar ideals and values, and I can't think of a better match for my future son or daughter than a child that came from you."
Without skipping a beat, Hikaru dropped down on one knee and bowed his head.
"My Prince! I am incredibly honored and beyond humbled by this incredible act of generosity and thoughtfulness and-"
Tamaki chuckled and tapped his friend on the shoulder, motioning him to stand up.
"Forget the formalities, for now, and let me enjoy this."
Hikaru quickly wiped away some happy tears and stood. "O-of course!"
"Now that that's out of the way," continued Tamaki, "I would challenge you to find someone who's more beautiful and charitable than my bride, but that's an impossible feat so you will just have to settle for second best," he joked. "I'm not expecting you to find a wife anytime soon, but, at the very least, maybe we can start with finding you a lady to dance with at the ball?"
Hikaru hesitated, but then let out a breath and conceded. "My Prince's wish is my command," he said.
"Then it's settled!"
Hikaru beamed, and any thoughts he had of Kaoru melted away and freed him from his pessimism. He couldn't wait to write to his parents and tell them the good news. Acquiring a lady to escort to the ball shouldn't be too difficult...right? All he had to do was find someone to ask and...oh, no...what if she declined? What if she told her friends and they told their friends to stay away from him? Or what if she accepted, and then what? Is dancing with her enough? Was he expected to spend the entire day with her? What would they even talk about? Oh, no, would she be pleasant company? Would he be pleasant company?!
Hikaru's joyous energy faltered and Tamaki felt the tension drop like a dagger in the chest.
"Calm down, Hikaru. I promise I'll help you," said Tamaki with a nervous chuckle, "Let's head back to the training grounds. Don't fret over a date for the ball - if all else fails you'll get paired with a visiting noble girl. It'll be fine!"
Hikaru nodded in agreement and took a deep breath. This wasn't the time to fret over something so trivial. The two men returned to light and pleasant conversation as they walked across the grassy lawn.
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Nekozawa's Cabin
Nekozawa wasn't sure how long he was slumped over on the ritual room floor, but when he awoke his back was in knots and his joints felt twisted and strained. He wearily tried to push himself up, and failed. His hands and feet were bound with ropes behind his back. Moments later his blurry eyes adjusted and he saw Haruhi sitting on a stool in front of him. She had bags under her eyes, a dagger in her lap, and a ring of pixie salt around her feet.
"Haruhi?" Nekozawa slurred.
"I've been awake the entire time you've been out, you know," she said, a slight rasp in her throat. "Half of me is still screaming to run away from you and never look back. The other half is just too exhausted to move."
"What's going on? Why am I tied up?"
"I've been at a loss with myself, lately," Haruhi continued, ignoring him, "I've started questioning if my payment for your spell was worth the cost. I mean, what have I really accomplished while in your care?"
"What are you talking about, Haruhi?"
"I'm tired, Nekozawa," she said, "I feel weak and caged, and I'm scared of you. I'm scared of Bereznoff. But...I'm mostly scared of myself. I'm scared I'm getting too comfortable here. I'm scared that my own kindness might kill me one day."
Nekozawa coughed and finally forced himself into a sitting position. Haruhi gasped and adjusted the grip on your dagger, fear flitting across her face.
"Haruhi," said Nekozawa in a low voice, "untie me."
"What am I to you?" asked Haruhi.
"Haru-?"
"What am I to you?!" she yelled. Nekozawa was taken aback.
Haruhi stared at him, for a moment, with her sleep-deprived gaze before burying her face in her hand and stifling her cry.
"Haruhi?"
"I don't want to do this, anymore," she finally said, "I thought I could handle it, but I can't."
"Do what? Handle what?"
Haruhi threw her hands up and gestured to everything around her in the room.
"This," she said, "The magick. The secrets. Living with you. I'm tired, and I want answers. I mean, one day I'm your student and apprentice, and another you treat me gently like a lover. At least, at the end of the day, Bereznoff has the decency to be upfront with his feelings."
"Did Bereznoff do something to you?" asked Nekozawa, his chest tightening. Haruhi wiped her face on her sleeve and recomposed herself.
"I heard him crying, and it broke my heart. So I comforted him."
"With your words or with your body?" asked Nekozawa through gritted teeth.
"Does it matter?" The two of them locked eyes and Nekozawa started fuming. That was not the answer he was expecting. Haruhi continued, "He clung to me as if his life depended on it. It made me feel like I had purpose - like I was the protector; like I had control. I liked that feeling."
"I didn't realize you two had gotten on such intimate terms behind my back," he seethed. Nekozawa refused to make eye contact with her.
"You aren't listening to me," snapped Haruhi, "I just told you that I'm scared of him; though, I guess now I pity him more than I fear him."
"Did you lay with him?" he asked. Hauhi laughed in disbelief and chucked her dagger off to the side.
"You aren't listening to me!" she yelled. Haruhi stood and kicked her stool over. She banged her fists on the wall and stumbled backward clutching her skull. She regained her footing and abandoned her ring of salt to tower over Nekozawa. All patience having left her body long ago, she screamed at him until her throat was raw.
"How long am I expected to hide behind a protection circle whenever he comes around?! Am I not your apprentice? Am I not expected to live here?! Do you expect me to learn from you or lay with you! I'm so confused! WE NEED BOUNDARIES!" Haruhi fell back against the mirrored wall next to Nekozawa and slumped down in a heap beside him. "The whole time I sat in here I had to look at myself in the mirror. And I spent a lot of time questioning who I am and what my purpose is. And while I started thinking about what I am to you, I had to ask myself what you were to me and...the truth is I don't even know that. So...I want to go back to the beginning. I need to talk to you about Bereznoff; about us; about that night," she said, "And I don't want you to brush me aside, or change the subject, or tell me lies."
Nekozawa's expression softened when he saw Haruhi's pleading eyes.
"It's not that simple-" he began, but Haruhi interrupted.
"Isn't it?" she said.
"I promise everything will be clear...in due time."
"That's not good enough," she bit.
Nekozawa sighed and pursed his lips. When he didn't speak up, Haruhi continued, "I don't know if you recall, but I'm not here for just a year or two - I'm here because I agreed to give up everything from my former life in exchange for your spell. I admit my decision may have come off as rash, but it wasn't one that I made lightly. I hoped I'd be worthy of your trust, by now. At least some of it." When Nekozawa didn't respond, Haruhi shrugged and retrieved her dagger. She cut off his restraints and flung her dagger to the floor once more.
"I don't know what I was expecting," she said, "I can't go on like this; I give up."
Nekozawa massaged his wrists and looked at Haruhi's retreating figure, a feeling of guilt weighing his stomach. Haruhi paused in the doorway and rested her hand on the frame.
"Unlike you, Bereznoff reminded me who I'm living with and why I'm here. Granted, he took advantage of my sympathy, but I won't let that happen, again."
Before Haruhi could leave the room, Nekozawa leapt forward and pulled her into a tight hug from behind.
"Why do you keep kissing me?" she asked, deadpanned.
Nekozawa's heart skipped a beat and his face fell. "Where is this coming from?"
"You're avoiding my questions, again," she said.
"Do...do you want me to stop?" he asked.
"Are you even kissing me because you like me?"
"Where is this coming from, Haruhi?"
"Bereznoff."
"Of course," Nekozawa scoffed.
"Was he telling me the truth?" asked Haruhi.
"It's...complicated," he said, and he released her from his grasp. Haruhi turned to face him, and past the puffy eyes, chapped lips, and red face he saw determination and resolve.
"Then enlighten me," she said, "I'm not the dumb farmer's daughter, anymore."
Nekozawa seemed to mull over her words before answering.
"Alright," he said softly, "No more secrets - you have my word." He was relieved to see a speck of warmth and acceptance dart across her features.
"I better," she replied.
Nekozawa let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding and cleared his throat, "I...um...need to gather some materials, first, and I wouldn't be opposed to a bath, either. If you would be willing to brew a pot of tea and make us something to eat, then I'll answer all of your questions - no matter how long it takes."
Haruhi squeezed her hands together and offered a small smile. "I can do that," she said.
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Somewhere in the wilderness...
After riding on horseback from sunrise to sunset, Kyoya motioned for Mori and Kaoru to pull over and set up camp for the night. Kaoru immediately protested and insisted that there was a perfectly good inn just a little further up the road, but in the end his argument fell on deaf ears. Kyoya was more interested in scavenging for medicinal plants, and Mori seemed set on doing anything that Kaoru didn't agree with. So, grumbling, the redhead undid the straps holding his tent and bedding together and watched them tumble on the ground. Kaoru sighed and with his staff he tapped the ground three times and said, "Bygge," after which his tent proceeded to perfectly assemble itself. Mori snorted disapprovingly.
"If you have something to say, then say it to my face!" snapped Kaoru.
"Seems like a waste of magick if you're using it for such trivial tasks," said Mori without looking up.
"Are you insinuating that I'm lazy?!"
"I'm not insinuating, I'm telling you," said Mori, "On that note, rather than using your spells to avoid a little bit of manual labor, why haven't you opened a portal for us, yet? I'd like to get this mission over with as soon as possible because the sooner we finish the sooner we can stop breathing the same air."
"I can't just create a door anywhere I please!" shouted Kaoru, "There's a protocol you have to follow!"
"Yes, a protocol," seethed Mori, standing up to tower over Kaoru, "A protocol that wouldn't even be in place if you didn't try to bed every woman you see - and fae politicians, no less! Your common sense knows no bounds. If Queen Anne didn't step in, who knows what sort of enemies they'd be."
"And I'm grateful for that!" shouted Kaoru. His face fell and his voice softened, "Don't ever think I'm not. I know I'll never be able to repay her for everything she's done for me." The anger between the two men started to dissipate.
"Whatever," Mori finally said, "Just stay on your side of the fire, wizard."
At that moment, Kyoya returned to camp with a bundle of firewood. "Gentlemen, if I'd known this is how you'd behave I might as well have brought Hikaru along." His two companions neglected to respond.
The majority of the rest of their evening was carried out in silence, and Kaoru didn't dare open his mouth until Mori left the fireside to do a quick patrol of their perimeter. Once Mori was out of sight, Kaoru signed and turned to Kyoya.
"So, what do you know about this village in the sticks? Have you been there before?"
"Ah, back to speaking terms? Pity, I was looking forward to some extended peace and quiet this evening," teased Kyoya. Kaoru rolled his eyes.
"The village?" repeated Kaoru. Kyoya sighed and shook his head.
"If it's the one I'm thinking of, I've been there only once before when I was smaller and shadowing my brothers. It's a quiet and painfully normal little rural area in the Western Valley. The people there mostly keep to themselves, so that's why I was surprised we received any kind of message from them. I'm even more surprised the King took their request seriously. People near the borders have a tendency to be more...superstitious. Still, they're residents of our kingdom, nonetheless, and if there is magick involved well...you know."
Kaoru's face fell almost immediately, and Kyoya could already see the wheels turning inside his head.
"Something the matter?" he asked.
"Oh, no, not at all," Kaoru replied, perhaps a touch too quickly, which didn't go unnoticed by Kyoya, "Just trying to remember something."
"Ah, yes, you lived near the Western Valley before coming into the King's service, correct? I suppose this is somewhat of a homecoming for you?"
Kaoru bit the inside of his cheek and frowned, "Tch. Hardly."
"Well, I'm sure it's been a while, but do you recall any wizards or other magick folk that might still be in the area?" Kyoya maintained his false smile even when Kaoru's demeanor darkened.
"You can stop shitting around me, Kyoya," said Kaoru, "I know exactly what you're getting at, and I assure you I'm well aware that if this pissant village's letter checks out we'll have to pay my old master a visit."
"Ah, of course. Do you recall seeing anything unusual during your last visit with him?" asked Kyoya.
"No," replied Kaoru, "he's still shaping up to be a ripe old hermit." Kaoru's face paled. He fell right into Kyoya's trap.
"Well then, there's nothing to worry about," said Kyoya, "You've both kept your noses clean as required per the King's decree. So long as he's not acting maliciously toward the kingdom on behalf of an outside party he's not broken any rules of his agreement."
Kaoru ran a hand through his hair and changed the subject.
"Do you mind if I hold onto that letter, for now? If the message was written in the area affected by the curse - if there is a curse, mind you - I might be able to pick up traces of magick from it."
Kyoya handed him the scroll and yawned. "Do as you wish. I'm turning in for the night. If you find anything, wait until morning to tell me." Kyoya waved a hand and retired to his own tent. The redhead decided to follow suit before Mori came back.
Kaoru didn't know how long he'd been staring at the letter, but there was just something in the wording that he couldn't quite place; some piece of information that was staring him in the face, hiding in plain sight. The dim white orb of light that he conjured started to fade and blink as he nodded off. As Kaoru felt himself drifting off to sleep, an image of a pretty brunette girl suddenly filled his thoughts. He imagined her falling down and him rescuing her and healing her injuries. He saw her sad, skeptical face and had the sudden urge to listen to all of her woes. He imagined her relieving him of his tunic and unbuckling his belt. He was about to imagine this fictional woman inviting him to ravish her atop the kitchen table, but before he could let that scenario play out he hesitated. There was something about the room they were in that was overly familiar, and it made him uncomfortable.
Suddenly, Kaoru abandoned his fantasy and bolted upright. He'd realized that the room he was in was in Nekozawa's cabin. The mystery woman he thought he was dreaming up came to life, and the more he thought about her, the more vivid her features became. At that moment a feeling of dread and realization came bubbling to the surface. He didn't want to believe it, but the letter did mention something about "girls disappearing from their beds…"
Their interaction was so brief that he just brushed it off and forgot about it entirely, but he did remember meeting a girl the last time he visited Nekozawa's cabin.
And Nekozawa's cabin was located in the Western Valley.
Honestly, there was only one logical conclusion, and Kaoru groaned as he fell back onto his sleeping mat. He didn't want to believe that a letter from some rinky dink village on the outskirts of the kingdom had any validity, but here they were.
'What have you done, now, Umehito?'