Shuuei
Shuuei leaned on the rail outside his newly-assigned department and smiled. “So, here we are. Real live officials.”
“And even as an official, I can’t get rid of you,” Kouyuu grumbled. He did not, however, stop leaning back on the rail beside Shuuei.
“Why would you want to get rid of your best friend, the one who’s always ready to help you out?” Shuuei asked, innocently. “Or help you back to where you were trying to go, anyway…”
“Shut up!”
When Kouyuu’s growling and Shuuei’s laughter both subsided, Shuuei added, “Hey. Did you notice the Prince, during the ceremony?”
Kouyuu raised a brow at him. “Which one?”
“Seien, of course,” Shuuei told him, patiently. “The one we’re going to spend most of our lives serving?”
“Supposing nothing else happens to him,” Kouyuu muttered. “What about him?”
“Didn’t it seem odd to you?” Shuuei pressed. “I don’t think he changed expression once, the entire time. Ryuuki-koushi was definitely bored, but Seien…” He trailed off, not sure how to express what had disturbed him.
“So he’s better at ceremonies.” Kouyuu shrugged. “He’s what? Seven years older? It isn’t surprising is it?”
Shuuei braced his elbows on the rail and clasped his hands, staring out over the trees. “It was more than that. He seemed so distant; as though none of it meant anything to him, even though we’ll be the officials serving under him the longest.” Half to himself he murmured, “I wonder what happened while he was in exile.”
“Maybe he was somewhere cold and his face froze that way.” Kouyuu snorted. “What, did you not like having someone not paying attention to you?”
“It just seemed strange,” Shuuei said, lightly. “My brothers say he didn’t used to be like that. So I wondered what happened.”
“Mm.” Kouyuu frowned. “I do remember hearing something—about him disappearing?”
“Completely,” Shuuei confirmed. “My family tried to find him, but there was no trace. He set out and then just vanished.”
Kouyuu waved a hand, dismissing the mystery. “He was probably taken somewhere secret for his own safety. The imperial family is like that. It’s amazing any of them survive.” He tilted his head at Shuuei. “Why are you so interested in him, anyway? You can bet our positions won’t involve him for a good long time.”
Shuuei smiled, a bit crookedly. “Oh, well. I was trained to be his supporter, from the time I was little, you know. And then the clan thought not, but then there was the trouble a few years ago, and here I am after all.” He laughed and stretched upright. “Maybe it’s destiny.”
Kouyuu was suddenly smirking at him. “Oh, so you’re Seien-koushi’s intended, huh? No wonder you’re so interested in him.” The smirk became an outright grin. “Should I get you a red veil to celebrate your next promotion?”
“I wouldn’t laugh if I was you,” Shuuei told him mildly. “Isn’t that Yu-kanri, over there? He probably has another invitation for you.”
Kouyuu’s eyes got a little wild. “Ah, I, I should start work right away!” He strode off, in the opposite direction from his new duties, nearly running.
Shuuei leaned back against the rail, chuckling, as his friend fled.
Kouyuu
Kouyuu dashed down a covered walk. He’d abandoned dignity and started running two courtyards back.
It had been months since the Exams, and they were still after him!
After another two turnings he dared to stop and catch his breath and look around, trying to figure out where he’d ended up.
“Ah, is that Li-kanri?”
Kouyuu panicked and darted through the nearest arch, flinging himself back against the wall, out of sight. He waited, tense, while whichever daughter-laden official was outside shuffled around and finally walked off again making puzzled sounds. Slowly, he let his breath out.
“Who are you?”
Kouyuu jumped at the question and his head snapped around. He was poised to run again before the youth of the voice registered and he managed to relax before he actually sprinted off.
Then his eye took in the quite distinctive gold and silver hair of the two people in the courtyard, and the equally distinctive paired black and white fittings of their swords. Fate, he decided, hated him.
“Seien-koushi, Ryuuki-koushi! I’m very sorry.” He bowed quickly, eyeing the edge of steel Seien-koushi had turned toward him and the way the Prince had pushed his younger brother behind him. A bit cautiously, he added, “I didn’t mean to intrude; please forgive me.”
Rather to his relief, Seien relaxed. “It’s no problem.” He cocked his head at Kouyuu, looking a bit bemused. “Running away from something?”
Kouyuu flushed. “It’s just… invitations,” he muttered. “Daughters.”
“Oh.” The syllable was heavy with sudden understanding. Come to think of it, Kouyuu supposed the Prince probably got at least as many of those as he did.
Ryuuki-koushi tugged on his brother’s sleeve, wide-eyed. “Seien-aniue, are they going to chase me like that, too?” the boy asked, worried.
Seien’s smile softened so quickly that Kouyuu couldn’t help staring. The Prince petted back his brother’s hair. “A little, I’m afraid. I can’t keep them away forever. But don’t worry; I’ll keep you safe.”
Ryuuki nodded, and the shining trust in his face as he looked up at Seien-koushi made Kouyuu’s throat unaccountably tight. He swallowed against it.
And then he had to blink as the young prince turned to him and smiled, bright and generous. “Aniue has trouble with them all the time. You can hide here until they’re gone.”
“That’s… very kind of you, your Highness,” Kouyuu murmured, startled. He hadn’t been prepared for an imperial prince to be so… nice.
“Ah, there you are.”
Kouyuu choked as Shuuei popped up on the other side of the courtyard. How did Shuuei always find him?!
“Ryuuki-koushi, Seien-koushi, I do apologize for the interruption.” Shuuei bowed with infuriating grace and strolled across the court to catch Kouyuu’s hand. “Come along, Kouyuu, Sho-kanri will be annoyed if you’re late again.” With a last, sparkling smile at the elder prince, he towed Kouyuu out.
“Are you sure you’re not just flirting with him?” Kouyuu growled, red-faced.
Shuuei just laughed. “Not yet.”
TBC
I am ready to squeal like an unashamed fangirl over this. I adore the interactions in this, especially the hints of Shuhei/Kouyuu. This is just so darn CUTE, especially the bit about running from the girls, and it fits well into the previous fic with Seien… utter love for you.
*heartheart* Thank you! I’m very taken with these two and the way they interact, and tend to giggle when I write them. I love the Shi brothers, but I think these two might possibly be my favorites.
*laughing outright* Oh, poor Kouyuu. I should have known he and Seien could bond over the eligible daughters thing.
And Shuuei the intended! *dies*
*snickering* Kouyuu-muse /insisted/ on including that bit. I think he was feeling put-upon. Writing these boys young was fun.
Ryuuki’s cute killz me dead. HE IS SO CUTE.
And Kouyuu and Shuuei were gold. <3
In-series Shuuei sometimes seem to flirt with Ryuuki. I wonder how Seien would take it?XD XD XD Red veil indeed…
Majo
Thank you!
Ryuuki really is just the sweetest little wild-child; I have no idea when or /if/ he’ll ever grow some tact. *laughing*
*snerks* I think this Seien would gut Shuuei with a smile, if he flirted with Ryuuki. So Shuuei seems to be considering flirting with Ensei instead; Seien approves mightily of this plan.
Seien would have to beat a lot of people off with sticks to protect Ryuuki from future marriage proposals…..
*SNERK* I actually meant I wondered what Seien would do if Shuuei flirted with HIM. Angsty backstory aside, I think it’d be hilarious…..nearly (?) as fun as Shuuei flirting with Kouyuu.
Shuuei flirting with Ensei would be hilarious too…
Majo
*grins* By then he may have perfected his Scary Smile ™. Though a stick would surely be helpful.
*chuckling* Shuuei does flirt a bit with Seien, but in this storyline… it’s almost like he shows his respect for Seien by refraining from that. Of course, I’m not always sure why Shuuei is doing something until three stories later. He’s good at that.
Seien’s Scary Smile (TM) would do the trick, yes. Ryuuki’d wonder how his brother’s just SO GOOD at that!^^ (of course the Scary part of the Scary Smile would go right over his head).
I look forward to seeing why Shuuei doesn’t flirt with Seien. XD
Majo
Ryuuki’s straightforwardness is very cute, I agree. Would be sad if he lost that, somewhat; in-series he still has it to an extent (I remember his honest, genuine reactions disturbing Shuurei because, which was funny).
Ah, Shuuei, better be careful if you want to keep your skin intact. ::much amused:: Anyone flirting with Ryuuki had better watch themselves, I don’t imagine Seien will tolerate anyone “taking advantage of Ryuuki’s pure heart.” ::much amused::
Ryuuki wins people over that way, at least once they get done goggling at him. In part four he and Kouyuu strike up a friendship because of it.
*snickering* You have to wonder whether Ryuuki’s doomed to be single, with Aniue back on the job. I still don’t know how he’ll react when Ryuuki and Shuurei start getting closer!
. . . because he’s so cute, you mean? 😉 No, you probably meant they were goggling at him for being so frighteningly straightforward, which is equally amusing.
You know, I’ve often thought that Ryuuki and Shuurei ending up together is really the best possible turn of events for Seien, because who else would he trust those two to if not each other? I can totally see Seien going Reishin’s route and becoming a doting, infatuated uncle . . .
I am utterly thrilled with the Seien and Ryuuki cuteness, because brotherly cuteness gets me every time.
With that out of the way, much fun with Kouyuu and Shuuei. I especially like your characterization of Shuuei, his easy manner and refusal to be serious. And really, needling Kouyuu is far, far too fun. It’s only because he gets so riled up, after all . . .
A question regarding continuity: I take it that this five-parter is one storyline, and the various installments are not significantly separated by time? For instance, in part 2 now we’re seeing Seien and Ryuuki out training, which they started in part 1? Just clarifying for my own peace of mind. 🙂
w007, am looking forward to more!
*grins* Thank you!
Shuuei is a lot of fun, that way; he watches and calculates, and needles of course, so that it’s kind of a shock those times when he actually gets serious. He even catches Seien that way before too long.
*sighs* Actually, These are meant to be separated by at least a handful of months each; I’ve been trying to figure out how to indicate that between parts one and two, and haven’t come up with anything graceful yet. I considered having the brothers playing instead of sparring, but… now they’re this old, sparring seems to /be/ their playing. *makes disgruntled sounds*
More coming! Shuurei is up next.
Hm . . . if you need something to indicate the passage of time, you could try mentioning the weather or which plants are blooming in the gardens. That’s a trick they use in anime a lot: any time you’re watching some high school anime and there are cherry blossoms everywhere, you know it’s the beginning of the school year . . .
Huzzah, looking forward to more!
♥ the dialogue here. Also, I like how Shuuei takes note of Seien right away, whereas Kouyuu takes a little longer to catch on.
How did Shuuei always find him?! Fate again, darling! He follows that red string tied to your pinky finger.
“Are you sure you’re not just flirting with him?” … “Not yet.” … No, Shuuei. Stick to Kouyuu, who at least can’t cut you into little pieces, even if he wanted to.
*sparkles* Thank you!
Kouyuu pretends to be so grouchy, but /we/ know he likes having Shuuei around. *laughing*
Oh man, isn’t that the truth? Shuuei just likes to play with fire, I swear!
Ah, Kouyuu actually running into a fortunitous chance meeting–how amusing. ^__^ Not nearly as amusing as the idea of Shuuei purposefully flirting with Seien. Hmm–that will be something interesting to watch, since so much of Seien’s attitude towards Shuuei in the anime leans more towards abuse. ^__^
I really do enjoy the relationship between Kouyuu and Shuuei; like most of the more dynamical teams, they seem to have a great chemistry working there. But they just can’t compare to the absolute cute that is Seien-Ryuuki. I really do have a probably with Ryuuki being so gosh darn *cute*–it’s one of the reasons I’m not a complete Shuurei-Ryuuki supporter. Ryuuki always seems too childishly cute all the time. It would be interesting to see if he knows it, though, and uses his cute-factor to manipulate people. Now that, I think, would be interesting.
Still… hmmm… Kouyuu just bursting in on the princes like that–I wonder what Seien must be thinking. Did he already note the man who’s his youngest official? His connection to the Kou family, and thus, his connection to Shouka and Shuurei?
And Shuuei… was he really keeping tabs no Kouyuu? Or was he already assigned as part of the princes’ security detail at this point? How did he manage to be there to “rescue” Kouyuu? As a member of the Ran family, he has prestige if not power yet… has he met the prince already?
Gosh this leaves me all excited and happy! ^__^
I sat down and rewatched the first episode again last night. I was struck again by Seiren’s promise to keep his vow to always protect and serve Shouka and Shuurei. And remembering that time, 8 years ago, during the civil war, when he was working hard to help care for them… Why *didn’t* he return to the palace? One reasons that couldn’t he take *better* care of them if he was emperor and could use his influence and power to protect and care for them? During that time, his four other brothers managed to kill themselves–Shuurei read that Ryuuki rose to become emperor because four of his older brothers died and the fifth was in exile. The throne basically fell into his lap, she surmised. If Seien had returned then, he could have easily stepped onto the thrown…. but he didn’t. The only thing I can think of is a.) he just plain didn’t want to, or b.) he was serious about being there to protect and take care of the two Kous.
This presents a bit of an interesting situation in your story, too. One can assume, a lot of Shuurei’s character development is a direct result of Seiren’s presence in her family life. Now he won’t be there, but as a result, it seems she’s entering the palace a lot earlier than she had in the series—she had never been in the palace grounds before becoming consort, but in your story, she’s visiting her father in the archives and working with Ryuuki. Ryuuki and Shuurei’s relationship has changed due to that fact alone, and it will be interesting to watch.
I am definitely looking forward to it! And I have so got to find something else to do for the next three hours. [sighs]
Glad to hear you’re liking it!
*grins* Shuuei has Kouyuu-radar, I swear. He hasn’t formally met the princes yet, himself, though I think he watches them more closely than Kouyuu does yet.
The only thing I can really think, in canon, you know, is that Seiran was seriously emotionally wounded by his exile and that year, and that’s why he responds only to the Kou family, who saved him, and lets everything else go hang.
It make me seriously wonder what happened during that year. It was quite possibly the first time he’d ever killed a person, I suspect, even though he had the training. And didn’t Shuurei’s mom say something about Seiran’s outburst over Shuurei’s overly-sweet medicine being the first time he spoke around them? He and bambo-guy–uh, Ensei? They supposedly killed off most all of that one gang in Sa-Country, too, right?
And… huh. [head tilt] Just what is the attitude towards sex? ‘Cause second episode in, Seiran’s teasing Shuurei about being disappointed that Ryuuki isn’t sharing her bed, and she seems pretty whatever about the idea of having to bear an heir—well, she says they’ll just have to handle those details later. But, she total flips when Ryuuki kisses her. Is it because there are witnesses and it’s essentially ‘in public’? Or is it maidenly virtures being attacked? The others looked surprised, but fairly amused by the display, so I was thinking it was really more of a social faux–oh, can’t remember the spelling. >.< dang–mis-step. And Shuuei doesn’t hesitate to mention his forrays into the redlight district in front of Shuurei. Heck, Shuurei part-times it in the red light district, even though that’s a bit of extenuating circumstances, but…. It leaves me curiously confused.
Sex itself seems quite aboveboard. I’d guess that Shuurei freaked out because 1) she tries to not get involved in romance, personally, at all, ever and 2) it was in public.
Much love for the Shuuei-Kouyuu interaction XD
*grins* Thank you!
Shuuei and Seiran?
Now that’s interesting…..who’d be seme?
*chuckles* I doubt it will come to that in the arc proper, though there is a quantum-bubble story that nudges me every now and then. But if it did, Seiran would be on top. Not, mind you, that I would put it past Shuuei to top from the bottom.
Yes, the interchangeable ones are the best aren’t they?
You know what? I would LOVE to read about a Seiran x Sakujun fic…that pairing never fails to grab my attention…
*puddle of Happy Goo liquefies a bit more and gets all absorbed by the carpet*
Shuuei and Kouyuu were wonderful, but then I got some unexpected Ryuuki love!! ♥
But are you really going to go for Shuuei and Seien…?
*hearts* This is just the arc of cuteness; I’m having so much fun.
Nah. Not beyond flirting every now and then, I expect. I might write them a might-have-been, but I really think Shuuei is aiming at /Kouyuu/ when he says things like that. *amused*
Kita~!
(Kouyuu flushed. “It’s just… invitations,” he muttered. “Daughters.”)
I laughed so hard at this point. Nothing’s scarier than mobs of hopeful father-in-laws other than the daughters themselves of course. As for kawaii Ryuuki-chan, he’ll be doing the chasing after Shuurei when he’s come of age. *imagines puppy-Ryuuki tagging behind Shuurei everywhere*
*pleased* Great to hear you liked it!
Poor Kouyuu, really. *grins* I can totally see puppy!Ryuki bounding along at Shuurei’s heels. Indeed, he’s just about to the age where he starts to think of these things. Too bad for him Shuurei is so very work-minded.
*snicker* Kouyuu is so adorable.
*hearts* Isn’t he? I love writing Kouyuu as a young official, so prickly and growly. Not that he isn’t prickly and growly as an older official, of course!