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maderrI didn't want to put this up until I had at least one more chapter ready, but I get the feeling few of us are having wonderful days. So, for the Treasure fans at least, hope this improves the day a bit.
And the fact that it's raining today amuses me to no end. I'll post it the proper journal when I have 16 finished. Much love to the ki-chan, for fixing about a bajillion mistakes ^_^
Chapter Fifteen
Takara frowned as he watched the horizon, which was thick with black clouds. Around them ship the waters were growing restless and the wind in his hair brought the sent of rain.
A familiar arm dropped lightly around his shoulders, Raiden pressing casually against his side. "What fascinates you so?"
"Those are storm clouds."
"Yes…" Raiden said, not quite understanding. Then he chuckled. "Have you never seen storm clouds before, Taka?"
"Of course not," the secretary replied, annoyed. "Until this journey I'd never left Kundou for more than a day or so - never far enough to fall out of the protection of the Dragons. Rain I've encountered, but never a storm."
Raiden sighed. "It seems a pity, really, that so few Kundouins have ever seen that which their gods once controlled."
Taka fought the wind for his hair, pulling it from his face only to have the wind snatch it away again. He gave up. "It was a parting gift, was it not, that we never again be forced to endure a terrible Storm?"
"Seems a strange gift to me, coming from the Three Storms. I wonder sometimes what the dragons thought they were doing. A trifle like spoiling children, if you ask me."
Takara brushed his words away. "The devout would say it is better to accept, not ask questions."
"Ignorance creates more problems than asking questions." He took in Taka's impatience and gave another soft sigh. "Come, Taka. We should go inside before the storm hits."
"Isn't there something about this entire situation that seems wrong to you?" Taka didn't budge when Raiden tried to guide him toward his cabin. He glowered at the dark clouds.
Raiden shrugged. "Clearly the Prince is highly distraught about something. I'm certain your sulking is not helping much."
"My sulking?" Taka frowned. "I highly doubt…"
"That you're having any affect on the King's Stone? Come now, Taka. Even I know that the spells and magic of the Dragons is affected by the moods of the royal family. The more royals, the less their emotions upset things. But with only two of you within the proper proximity of the Stone, and both miserable about something - it's no wonder we're in for a bad storm."
Takara shifted his glare from the clouds to the general direction of Nankyo's cabin. "If I could do something about him, I would. But he refuses to see even me anymore."
"Maybe causing a storm will snap them both out of the foul moods they've been wallowing in," Raiden cast a glare of his own toward the helm, where Kindan was speaking with his first mate.
"Are you certain it's a good idea to let the storm reach us?"
Raiden laughed softly. "Of course not, but it's nothing Kin and his crew can't handle. It would, naturally, be easier if Nankyo would realize what he's causing and stop it, but seeing as he won't leave his cabin that is unlikely to occur. So we will endure what the Dragons throw at us."
"Except that the Dragons are dead," Taka pointed out. "The royal family's magic is all that remains of the Three Storms."
"The ocean remains. As long as the ocean is here, the dragons will not completely die."
Takara looked at him askance, not taking his gaze completely off the black clouds approaching them. "I had no idea you were so religious."
"Life on the ocean will turn most men religious - or at least teach them profound respect." Raiden smiled. "There are many who believe that were the Dragons alive, the storms, the mermaids and the ocean itself would not be as hostile as they are now."
"That is an argument I have heard over and over. You will not find me disagreeing, though I think it is perhaps wishful thinking for the most part."
"You two should get inside," Kin said abruptly from behind them. "That storm may seem to be approaching slowly, but it's coming at a good clip. Neither of you is qualified enough to be above deck, so I suggest you get to your quarters unless you're feeling up for a swim."
"Aye, Captain." Raiden replied with a grin.
Ignoring him, Kin turned to stride back to his first mate.
"Captain," Takara held him up. "If things start to get too bad - which I doubt because Raiden says this is nothing for you and I have no doubt he's correct - Nankyo should know how to stop it."
Kindan sneered, "I don't need his help to manage my ship. Get to your quarters." He strode off, snapping orders for his first mate to bellow to the crew.
"Captain," Same said when Kindan had fallen silent.
"What is it?" Kindan asked without looking at him, gaze locked on the rapidly approaching storm.
"If you'll beg my pardon, why are we being forced to cope with a storm? My belief was that, with a prince aboard - two, in fact - we would not be forced to deal with such things."
Kindan's mouth tightened, hand going reflexively to the pendant that felt hot against his chest, beneath his tunic. "It is not your job to grow spoiled by the presence of a royal. See to the men and ensure we lose no one. Keep a sharp eye out for mermaids, storm-tossed ships make for good prey."
Though he looked as though he wanted to press it, Same was long used to his young, moody captain. "Aye, Captain."
Nodding stiffly, Kindan headed for Raiden's cabin. "I do not want either of you leaving this cabin until I give you leave. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly, Kin." Raiden, for once, was perfectly serious.
Kindan slid his glare to Taka. "If he knows how to stop the storm, why is he letting it happen in the first place?"
"I do not know," Taka replied quietly. "I can only surmise that he is somehow unaware. Kyo is always careful about how he affects the Stone. The fact that he's been the one in possession of it for so long is the reason the royal family's magic has been especially stable for so long. I guess he is finally starting to lose control. Though as Raiden says, I am no doubt contributing to it."
Kindan never got a chance to reply, as the rocking of the ship suddenly took a hard turn for the worse, sending all but him crashing to the floor. Letting out a string of curses, Kindan turned to head back out. "Stay here and be careful."
Outside, he fought the wind and rain as he made his way to Nankyo's cabin. Reaching it, he threw open the door and stepped inside. For some reason he had imagined seeing the prince sitting in his chair, glasses glinting on his nose as he read from his strange book.
But the prince was asleep in his bed - though he was tossing and turning so much that it took Kindan a moment to realize it. His cries were unintelligible, though Kin recognized them as similar to the strange, musical language he used for his spells. The old language.
Glowering, Kindan stepped forward to wake him - just as a wave rocked the ship hard to throw him forward. He tumbled and fell, half on the floor - half on the prince.
Nankyo went suddenly still, and Kindan realized he had woken. He struggled to sit up, and off the prince.
"What is the meaning of this?" Nankyo asked in his icy voice, only slightly slurred from his abrupt awakening.
Kindan remained kneeling on the floor, not quite trusting his ability to stand. "I should be asking you that," he snapped. "Why have you suddenly brought a storm down upon us, Prince?"
"A storm?" Nankyo rose from his bed, tangled robes falling back in place around him, moving with him as he made for the door. He pulled the door open and stepped outside, all but falling over from the force of the wind, rain whipping him in the face as thunder crashed overhead.
Cursing loudly, Kindan went after him, grabbing the prince about the waist and dragging him back inside. "Prince of the Storms you may be, but a tempest such as that will kill you the same as me."
"It's beautiful," Nankyo said, eyes still locked on the door Kindan had slammed shut, as if he could see the storm through it. Then he stiffened, realizing to whom he was speaking. "Give me the Stone."
Kindan shook his head, dropping his arms from around Nankyo's waist and backing up. "You don't need it to perform magic; do without it."
"It will help!" Kyo snarled. "A storm such as that, it is better if I am touching the Stone. Unless you want the storm to batter your ship and men."
"We have weathered worse."
"No, you have not. It is here because I mistakenly called it, and it will not dissipate until I have banished it." His expression turned mutinous, and with startling speed he shoved Kindan back against the wall, searching for and finding the pendant beneath his tunic. Hand held to Kindan's chest, he began to murmur softly to himself. The musical words of a spell filled the small space.
Kindan moved to shove the prince away, but found himself pausing, shocked by how warm the prince was - almost too warm. He frowned, looking Nankyo over. The prince, lost in concentration, did not notice his perusal.
Nakyokukai was beautiful; Kin had never denied that. Of all the royal children, he was the one least known but most talked about. Kindan had always thought of him as reserved, cool, given only to speaking when he could provoke or manipulate.
But now the prince simply looked tired - Kindan would even venture he looked defeated. It was a look he had seen often amongst the seafaring. There were shadows in his normally sharp eyes, dark smudges beneath them, his fair skin almost white in the dim light of the cabin.
And now suddenly he could see traces of Koori in Nankyo, hints of the dirty face smudged with dirt and tears, the blue hair even more beautiful than his purple glamour had been. Though the Nankyo he knew no longer gave in to tears. Which led to the obvious question of what was upsetting him so much. The secrecy plaguing the journey angered him, made him want to beat the truth out of someone - preferably the prince. A simple journey to deliver offerings to dead gods - what of that could cause such agony in someone as reserved as the prince? Though, to be honest, he wondered more what had forced Koori to become Nankyokukai.
Abruptly the cabin was too small, and Kindan could not have been more relieved when he felt the shift in the air - the storm was gone and the prince had fallen silent. He stepped away and exited the cabin before Nankyo's awareness returned, slamming the door behind him.
The sky was clear and blue above him, the ocean much calmer. He cast about for his first mate. "Same!"
The man appeared at his side almost immediately, reporting that minimal damage had been sustained and repairs were already underway. Kindan nodded. "Keep an eye on things." He strode to the helm, staring out at the sea and doing his best not to think.
Some time later, the sun much lower in the sky, soft fingers gently squeezed his shoulder. He turned to look unhappily at Raiden.
"What's wrong?" the merchant asked quietly. "I have not seen you like this in years. Did we lose someone in the storm?"
"No," Kindan slowly shook his head back and forth. He regarded Raiden, eyes wide with disbelief. "I think you were right."
"About what?" Raiden asked, amusement creeping into his voice.
"The Prince."
Raiden looked confused for a moment, then his expression cleared as realization struck him. "As I dislike being pitched overboard, I will keep my mouth shut. But once we are on land, I am very much going to enjoy laughing at you."
Kindan's look was nothing short of murderous. "You're not doing a very good job of keeping quiet."
"I suppose you're right. Never was good at keeping my mouth shut, was I?" Raiden started laughing so hard he nearly sent himself over the side.
Kindan punched him, somewhat appeased when Raiden's laughs turned into pained groans. "I'm glad someone's amused by it."
Raiden grinned, "You're acting like it's some sort of punishment."
"Isn't it?" Kindan asked sourly, eyes fastened on the endless stretch of water before them.
"I should think not."
Kindan groaned. "I don't need this. I don't even know what to do about it."
Raiden's eyebrows went up. "Clearly you've been spending more time alone at sea than I realized. Would you like some pointers?" He dodged away as Kindan swung another punch at him.
"If you're just going to mock me, Shima, then go away."
Raiden sobered. "So you like the prince after all. Is that such a problem? Or are you just mad that your precious Koori turned out to be who you least expected?"
"I'll grant you I never saw that coming - though I should have." Kindan looked as though he wanted to punch himself. "Of course I'm mad. He shouldn't have kept it a secret, not after boarding my ship." He rubbed tiredly at his face. "I don't need this."
Clapping him on the shoulder sympathetically, Raiden said, "Everything happens for a reason, Kin. And sometimes the last thing we want is the very thing we need."
Kindan made a face. "Go away and take your wisdom with you." Jerking away, he stalked off to check on the progress of the repairs.
"How long 'til Sanhoshi?" Raiden called after him.
"If we're not too far off course," Kindan reluctantly replied. "We'll be there by tomorrow morning."
Raiden nodded.
Nankyo could not seem to quit shaking, huddled in his too-small bed with only the lantern to provide warmth.
He'd caused a storm! Was he so lost to his own selfish agonizing that he would grow so careless? He did not need the deaths of sailors on top of everything else. Storms, he was growing weak.
Perhaps he would be better off dead.
Nankyo attempted to shake off his morbid thoughts, breathing deeply and slowly. Waking from a nightmare to Kindan in his lap and a storm-tossed ship had done nothing to calm him - it was no wonder his mind was in such turmoil.
Ignoring the slight trembling that lingered in his hands, Nankyo threw off his blankets and reached for the tome he was heartily sick of reading. But forcing himself to study it, over and over again, had resulted in his understanding more than he had before.
And in a solution - of sorts. Curling back up in his bed, he flipped slowly to the relevant pages.
The nightmare lingered in the back of his mind, shadows of cold and dark and being utterly lost, but Nankyo ignored it as best he could. He stopped, fingers tracing the words on the relevant page. A passage he had not been able to grasp before. For all that the Stone granted him the ability to read the old language, it could not grant him perfect fluency. That came only with practice, and before he had never needed that degree of skill.
But now…now he needed it desperately. There was no way out, not if he wanted to accomplish what he had set out to do. But there was a solution of sorts.
The belief amongst the royal family - those who knew the burden of the sacrifice - was that it must occur on the lost island every one hundred years. And it must be one of the blood, so that the magic would continue on down through the generations.
The time and the blood were inviolate. If not carried out every hundred years, the spell would begin to weaken. If the Seal collapsed completely, the magic would be set loose. Without someone or something to control it? The results were best not dwelled upon.
But the location was not, as the saying went in Pozhar, set in stone. They were three months from the location of the island. Less than two days from Sanhoshi.
He would simply kill himself on Sanhoshi.
A sharp rap at his door broke into Nankyo's thoughts. "Enter," he snapped, reluctant to see anyone but knowing he owed Taka, at the very least, an explanation.
"Kyo…" Takara looked him over, frowning in concern.
It was still strange, to look at Taka and see his mirror image. But it was a comforting sort of strange, though he did not bother to examine why he felt that way.
And mirror images they might be, but there were still differences. Such as the flush that lingered on Taka's cheeks, his lips obviously recently kissed. His sash was looser than Taka tended to wear it, hair less neat. To a degree, Nankyo was envious. Mostly, however, he was glad that his family would not be able to do Taka harm after he was gone.
"What's wrong, Kyo?"
"I was rudely awakened for one," Nankyo said, annoyed. "The next time my nightmares accidently call up a storm, send someone else to wake me. Sending that confounded Captain does nothing to calm my temper."
Taka quirked a brow at him. "Nightmare?"
"I'm sure it's only the result of my sulking." Nankyo cast his book aside and stood to stretch, arching his back, arms over his head. Slowly he worked the kinks from his neck and shoulders, then smoothed out his wrinkled robes. "I do not suppose there is going to be a meal anytime soon?"
"You…" Taka frowned. His eyes narrowed in thought. "You seem calmer, Kyo. The past several days you would barely look at me, barely eat, barely move. And now you are asking if we're having dinner?"
Nankyo sniffed, "What? I'm not allowed to eat? I admit the storm was a bit much, but surely that doesn't revoke my dining privileges?"
"Stop dodging my questions!" Taka stamped his foot. "Storms, Kyo! I've been worried sick about you - the least you could do is give me a straight answer. It's not like you'll have to put up with me for much longer." In an instant, his anger turned into misery.
Dropping his flippancy, Nankyo moved across the small cabin to embrace his secretary. "I am fine, Taka. I merely needed some time to myself for a bit."
Takara settled for simply nodding. "Raiden has ordered dinner be prepared. I came down in the hopes that you might be persuaded to eat."
"I believe I could be," Nankyo said lightly. "Let me change and I will be up shortly."
"Let me help," Taka offered. "I will not be able to do it much longer, and your hair could use a good brushing."
Nankyo hesitated, and then nodded. "Very well."
"Prince," Raiden nodded as the twins entered his cabin. "You are looking remarkably better than when I last saw you." He grinned, "Perhaps the only man I know who can look better after several days of confinement, rather than worse. You must tell me your secret."
"A Secretary who doubles as Dressing Servant."
Takara rolled his eyes, ignoring them both and taking a sip of his wine.
Nankyo sat down opposite Raiden. "And where is the Captain?" he glanced at the empty place setting. "Did he hear I was coming and opt to not attend?"
"Something like that," Raiden replied, smothering a grin. "I am certain he will appear eventually." He hesitated.
Nankyo shook his head, "I apologize for the storm. I accept full responsibility for it. My sleep was less than restful, and I somehow lost control of the Stone."
"No harm was done," Raiden said calmly. "You do seem better than you did before."
Nankyo shrugged and began to eat. "Sulking gets boring, after a time. I think I shall resume being a nuisance."
"Despite our…less than happy start, Prince, I would never consider you a nuisance." Raiden smiled evilly, "Except to Kin, who could stand the abuse."
The ghost of a smile danced across Nankyo's lips, but he refrained from replying. Raiden shifted his attention to Taka, interspersing eating with teasing. Nankyo watched them in silence the rest of the meal.
And the fact that it's raining today amuses me to no end. I'll post it the proper journal when I have 16 finished. Much love to the ki-chan, for fixing about a bajillion mistakes ^_^
Chapter Fifteen
Takara frowned as he watched the horizon, which was thick with black clouds. Around them ship the waters were growing restless and the wind in his hair brought the sent of rain.
A familiar arm dropped lightly around his shoulders, Raiden pressing casually against his side. "What fascinates you so?"
"Those are storm clouds."
"Yes…" Raiden said, not quite understanding. Then he chuckled. "Have you never seen storm clouds before, Taka?"
"Of course not," the secretary replied, annoyed. "Until this journey I'd never left Kundou for more than a day or so - never far enough to fall out of the protection of the Dragons. Rain I've encountered, but never a storm."
Raiden sighed. "It seems a pity, really, that so few Kundouins have ever seen that which their gods once controlled."
Taka fought the wind for his hair, pulling it from his face only to have the wind snatch it away again. He gave up. "It was a parting gift, was it not, that we never again be forced to endure a terrible Storm?"
"Seems a strange gift to me, coming from the Three Storms. I wonder sometimes what the dragons thought they were doing. A trifle like spoiling children, if you ask me."
Takara brushed his words away. "The devout would say it is better to accept, not ask questions."
"Ignorance creates more problems than asking questions." He took in Taka's impatience and gave another soft sigh. "Come, Taka. We should go inside before the storm hits."
"Isn't there something about this entire situation that seems wrong to you?" Taka didn't budge when Raiden tried to guide him toward his cabin. He glowered at the dark clouds.
Raiden shrugged. "Clearly the Prince is highly distraught about something. I'm certain your sulking is not helping much."
"My sulking?" Taka frowned. "I highly doubt…"
"That you're having any affect on the King's Stone? Come now, Taka. Even I know that the spells and magic of the Dragons is affected by the moods of the royal family. The more royals, the less their emotions upset things. But with only two of you within the proper proximity of the Stone, and both miserable about something - it's no wonder we're in for a bad storm."
Takara shifted his glare from the clouds to the general direction of Nankyo's cabin. "If I could do something about him, I would. But he refuses to see even me anymore."
"Maybe causing a storm will snap them both out of the foul moods they've been wallowing in," Raiden cast a glare of his own toward the helm, where Kindan was speaking with his first mate.
"Are you certain it's a good idea to let the storm reach us?"
Raiden laughed softly. "Of course not, but it's nothing Kin and his crew can't handle. It would, naturally, be easier if Nankyo would realize what he's causing and stop it, but seeing as he won't leave his cabin that is unlikely to occur. So we will endure what the Dragons throw at us."
"Except that the Dragons are dead," Taka pointed out. "The royal family's magic is all that remains of the Three Storms."
"The ocean remains. As long as the ocean is here, the dragons will not completely die."
Takara looked at him askance, not taking his gaze completely off the black clouds approaching them. "I had no idea you were so religious."
"Life on the ocean will turn most men religious - or at least teach them profound respect." Raiden smiled. "There are many who believe that were the Dragons alive, the storms, the mermaids and the ocean itself would not be as hostile as they are now."
"That is an argument I have heard over and over. You will not find me disagreeing, though I think it is perhaps wishful thinking for the most part."
"You two should get inside," Kin said abruptly from behind them. "That storm may seem to be approaching slowly, but it's coming at a good clip. Neither of you is qualified enough to be above deck, so I suggest you get to your quarters unless you're feeling up for a swim."
"Aye, Captain." Raiden replied with a grin.
Ignoring him, Kin turned to stride back to his first mate.
"Captain," Takara held him up. "If things start to get too bad - which I doubt because Raiden says this is nothing for you and I have no doubt he's correct - Nankyo should know how to stop it."
Kindan sneered, "I don't need his help to manage my ship. Get to your quarters." He strode off, snapping orders for his first mate to bellow to the crew.
"Captain," Same said when Kindan had fallen silent.
"What is it?" Kindan asked without looking at him, gaze locked on the rapidly approaching storm.
"If you'll beg my pardon, why are we being forced to cope with a storm? My belief was that, with a prince aboard - two, in fact - we would not be forced to deal with such things."
Kindan's mouth tightened, hand going reflexively to the pendant that felt hot against his chest, beneath his tunic. "It is not your job to grow spoiled by the presence of a royal. See to the men and ensure we lose no one. Keep a sharp eye out for mermaids, storm-tossed ships make for good prey."
Though he looked as though he wanted to press it, Same was long used to his young, moody captain. "Aye, Captain."
Nodding stiffly, Kindan headed for Raiden's cabin. "I do not want either of you leaving this cabin until I give you leave. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly, Kin." Raiden, for once, was perfectly serious.
Kindan slid his glare to Taka. "If he knows how to stop the storm, why is he letting it happen in the first place?"
"I do not know," Taka replied quietly. "I can only surmise that he is somehow unaware. Kyo is always careful about how he affects the Stone. The fact that he's been the one in possession of it for so long is the reason the royal family's magic has been especially stable for so long. I guess he is finally starting to lose control. Though as Raiden says, I am no doubt contributing to it."
Kindan never got a chance to reply, as the rocking of the ship suddenly took a hard turn for the worse, sending all but him crashing to the floor. Letting out a string of curses, Kindan turned to head back out. "Stay here and be careful."
Outside, he fought the wind and rain as he made his way to Nankyo's cabin. Reaching it, he threw open the door and stepped inside. For some reason he had imagined seeing the prince sitting in his chair, glasses glinting on his nose as he read from his strange book.
But the prince was asleep in his bed - though he was tossing and turning so much that it took Kindan a moment to realize it. His cries were unintelligible, though Kin recognized them as similar to the strange, musical language he used for his spells. The old language.
Glowering, Kindan stepped forward to wake him - just as a wave rocked the ship hard to throw him forward. He tumbled and fell, half on the floor - half on the prince.
Nankyo went suddenly still, and Kindan realized he had woken. He struggled to sit up, and off the prince.
"What is the meaning of this?" Nankyo asked in his icy voice, only slightly slurred from his abrupt awakening.
Kindan remained kneeling on the floor, not quite trusting his ability to stand. "I should be asking you that," he snapped. "Why have you suddenly brought a storm down upon us, Prince?"
"A storm?" Nankyo rose from his bed, tangled robes falling back in place around him, moving with him as he made for the door. He pulled the door open and stepped outside, all but falling over from the force of the wind, rain whipping him in the face as thunder crashed overhead.
Cursing loudly, Kindan went after him, grabbing the prince about the waist and dragging him back inside. "Prince of the Storms you may be, but a tempest such as that will kill you the same as me."
"It's beautiful," Nankyo said, eyes still locked on the door Kindan had slammed shut, as if he could see the storm through it. Then he stiffened, realizing to whom he was speaking. "Give me the Stone."
Kindan shook his head, dropping his arms from around Nankyo's waist and backing up. "You don't need it to perform magic; do without it."
"It will help!" Kyo snarled. "A storm such as that, it is better if I am touching the Stone. Unless you want the storm to batter your ship and men."
"We have weathered worse."
"No, you have not. It is here because I mistakenly called it, and it will not dissipate until I have banished it." His expression turned mutinous, and with startling speed he shoved Kindan back against the wall, searching for and finding the pendant beneath his tunic. Hand held to Kindan's chest, he began to murmur softly to himself. The musical words of a spell filled the small space.
Kindan moved to shove the prince away, but found himself pausing, shocked by how warm the prince was - almost too warm. He frowned, looking Nankyo over. The prince, lost in concentration, did not notice his perusal.
Nakyokukai was beautiful; Kin had never denied that. Of all the royal children, he was the one least known but most talked about. Kindan had always thought of him as reserved, cool, given only to speaking when he could provoke or manipulate.
But now the prince simply looked tired - Kindan would even venture he looked defeated. It was a look he had seen often amongst the seafaring. There were shadows in his normally sharp eyes, dark smudges beneath them, his fair skin almost white in the dim light of the cabin.
And now suddenly he could see traces of Koori in Nankyo, hints of the dirty face smudged with dirt and tears, the blue hair even more beautiful than his purple glamour had been. Though the Nankyo he knew no longer gave in to tears. Which led to the obvious question of what was upsetting him so much. The secrecy plaguing the journey angered him, made him want to beat the truth out of someone - preferably the prince. A simple journey to deliver offerings to dead gods - what of that could cause such agony in someone as reserved as the prince? Though, to be honest, he wondered more what had forced Koori to become Nankyokukai.
Abruptly the cabin was too small, and Kindan could not have been more relieved when he felt the shift in the air - the storm was gone and the prince had fallen silent. He stepped away and exited the cabin before Nankyo's awareness returned, slamming the door behind him.
The sky was clear and blue above him, the ocean much calmer. He cast about for his first mate. "Same!"
The man appeared at his side almost immediately, reporting that minimal damage had been sustained and repairs were already underway. Kindan nodded. "Keep an eye on things." He strode to the helm, staring out at the sea and doing his best not to think.
Some time later, the sun much lower in the sky, soft fingers gently squeezed his shoulder. He turned to look unhappily at Raiden.
"What's wrong?" the merchant asked quietly. "I have not seen you like this in years. Did we lose someone in the storm?"
"No," Kindan slowly shook his head back and forth. He regarded Raiden, eyes wide with disbelief. "I think you were right."
"About what?" Raiden asked, amusement creeping into his voice.
"The Prince."
Raiden looked confused for a moment, then his expression cleared as realization struck him. "As I dislike being pitched overboard, I will keep my mouth shut. But once we are on land, I am very much going to enjoy laughing at you."
Kindan's look was nothing short of murderous. "You're not doing a very good job of keeping quiet."
"I suppose you're right. Never was good at keeping my mouth shut, was I?" Raiden started laughing so hard he nearly sent himself over the side.
Kindan punched him, somewhat appeased when Raiden's laughs turned into pained groans. "I'm glad someone's amused by it."
Raiden grinned, "You're acting like it's some sort of punishment."
"Isn't it?" Kindan asked sourly, eyes fastened on the endless stretch of water before them.
"I should think not."
Kindan groaned. "I don't need this. I don't even know what to do about it."
Raiden's eyebrows went up. "Clearly you've been spending more time alone at sea than I realized. Would you like some pointers?" He dodged away as Kindan swung another punch at him.
"If you're just going to mock me, Shima, then go away."
Raiden sobered. "So you like the prince after all. Is that such a problem? Or are you just mad that your precious Koori turned out to be who you least expected?"
"I'll grant you I never saw that coming - though I should have." Kindan looked as though he wanted to punch himself. "Of course I'm mad. He shouldn't have kept it a secret, not after boarding my ship." He rubbed tiredly at his face. "I don't need this."
Clapping him on the shoulder sympathetically, Raiden said, "Everything happens for a reason, Kin. And sometimes the last thing we want is the very thing we need."
Kindan made a face. "Go away and take your wisdom with you." Jerking away, he stalked off to check on the progress of the repairs.
"How long 'til Sanhoshi?" Raiden called after him.
"If we're not too far off course," Kindan reluctantly replied. "We'll be there by tomorrow morning."
Raiden nodded.
Nankyo could not seem to quit shaking, huddled in his too-small bed with only the lantern to provide warmth.
He'd caused a storm! Was he so lost to his own selfish agonizing that he would grow so careless? He did not need the deaths of sailors on top of everything else. Storms, he was growing weak.
Perhaps he would be better off dead.
Nankyo attempted to shake off his morbid thoughts, breathing deeply and slowly. Waking from a nightmare to Kindan in his lap and a storm-tossed ship had done nothing to calm him - it was no wonder his mind was in such turmoil.
Ignoring the slight trembling that lingered in his hands, Nankyo threw off his blankets and reached for the tome he was heartily sick of reading. But forcing himself to study it, over and over again, had resulted in his understanding more than he had before.
And in a solution - of sorts. Curling back up in his bed, he flipped slowly to the relevant pages.
The nightmare lingered in the back of his mind, shadows of cold and dark and being utterly lost, but Nankyo ignored it as best he could. He stopped, fingers tracing the words on the relevant page. A passage he had not been able to grasp before. For all that the Stone granted him the ability to read the old language, it could not grant him perfect fluency. That came only with practice, and before he had never needed that degree of skill.
But now…now he needed it desperately. There was no way out, not if he wanted to accomplish what he had set out to do. But there was a solution of sorts.
The belief amongst the royal family - those who knew the burden of the sacrifice - was that it must occur on the lost island every one hundred years. And it must be one of the blood, so that the magic would continue on down through the generations.
The time and the blood were inviolate. If not carried out every hundred years, the spell would begin to weaken. If the Seal collapsed completely, the magic would be set loose. Without someone or something to control it? The results were best not dwelled upon.
But the location was not, as the saying went in Pozhar, set in stone. They were three months from the location of the island. Less than two days from Sanhoshi.
He would simply kill himself on Sanhoshi.
A sharp rap at his door broke into Nankyo's thoughts. "Enter," he snapped, reluctant to see anyone but knowing he owed Taka, at the very least, an explanation.
"Kyo…" Takara looked him over, frowning in concern.
It was still strange, to look at Taka and see his mirror image. But it was a comforting sort of strange, though he did not bother to examine why he felt that way.
And mirror images they might be, but there were still differences. Such as the flush that lingered on Taka's cheeks, his lips obviously recently kissed. His sash was looser than Taka tended to wear it, hair less neat. To a degree, Nankyo was envious. Mostly, however, he was glad that his family would not be able to do Taka harm after he was gone.
"What's wrong, Kyo?"
"I was rudely awakened for one," Nankyo said, annoyed. "The next time my nightmares accidently call up a storm, send someone else to wake me. Sending that confounded Captain does nothing to calm my temper."
Taka quirked a brow at him. "Nightmare?"
"I'm sure it's only the result of my sulking." Nankyo cast his book aside and stood to stretch, arching his back, arms over his head. Slowly he worked the kinks from his neck and shoulders, then smoothed out his wrinkled robes. "I do not suppose there is going to be a meal anytime soon?"
"You…" Taka frowned. His eyes narrowed in thought. "You seem calmer, Kyo. The past several days you would barely look at me, barely eat, barely move. And now you are asking if we're having dinner?"
Nankyo sniffed, "What? I'm not allowed to eat? I admit the storm was a bit much, but surely that doesn't revoke my dining privileges?"
"Stop dodging my questions!" Taka stamped his foot. "Storms, Kyo! I've been worried sick about you - the least you could do is give me a straight answer. It's not like you'll have to put up with me for much longer." In an instant, his anger turned into misery.
Dropping his flippancy, Nankyo moved across the small cabin to embrace his secretary. "I am fine, Taka. I merely needed some time to myself for a bit."
Takara settled for simply nodding. "Raiden has ordered dinner be prepared. I came down in the hopes that you might be persuaded to eat."
"I believe I could be," Nankyo said lightly. "Let me change and I will be up shortly."
"Let me help," Taka offered. "I will not be able to do it much longer, and your hair could use a good brushing."
Nankyo hesitated, and then nodded. "Very well."
"Prince," Raiden nodded as the twins entered his cabin. "You are looking remarkably better than when I last saw you." He grinned, "Perhaps the only man I know who can look better after several days of confinement, rather than worse. You must tell me your secret."
"A Secretary who doubles as Dressing Servant."
Takara rolled his eyes, ignoring them both and taking a sip of his wine.
Nankyo sat down opposite Raiden. "And where is the Captain?" he glanced at the empty place setting. "Did he hear I was coming and opt to not attend?"
"Something like that," Raiden replied, smothering a grin. "I am certain he will appear eventually." He hesitated.
Nankyo shook his head, "I apologize for the storm. I accept full responsibility for it. My sleep was less than restful, and I somehow lost control of the Stone."
"No harm was done," Raiden said calmly. "You do seem better than you did before."
Nankyo shrugged and began to eat. "Sulking gets boring, after a time. I think I shall resume being a nuisance."
"Despite our…less than happy start, Prince, I would never consider you a nuisance." Raiden smiled evilly, "Except to Kin, who could stand the abuse."
The ghost of a smile danced across Nankyo's lips, but he refrained from replying. Raiden shifted his attention to Taka, interspersing eating with teasing. Nankyo watched them in silence the rest of the meal.
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Date: 2005-03-23 05:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-23 06:18 pm (UTC)I was so not expecting that. You managed two meeps out of me... Tim's giving me odd looks now.
*sniffle*
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Date: 2005-03-23 08:29 pm (UTC)Not expecting what? And that's why you don't read at work, dorkus :P
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Date: 2005-03-23 07:12 pm (UTC)I don't guess it really matters now, but I did in fact like it. And if I'd remembered it upon waking, I'd've jumped on sending you some corrections before going to work. As is, I apologize profusely for not doing so, and I'll get to them when I'm done with all my work.
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Date: 2005-03-23 08:29 pm (UTC)No worries, Sip. I rather figured that the dson server was the guilty party. ^_^
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Date: 2005-03-23 10:03 pm (UTC)Thank you. You've just made a rainy horrible day seem kind of fabulous.
Thanks.
Love and Cups,
Jo
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Date: 2005-03-24 12:18 am (UTC)^_^ Welcome.
*pets Nankyo* He's my baby, except when he's been kidnapped by Skylark.
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Date: 2005-03-24 01:51 am (UTC)Oh manohmanohman. *sniffles* Poor, poor Kyo...
*steals Kyo and pets him* That decision he reaches? Man, I can see why it gives him peace, but at the same time I want to shake him until his teeth rattle and then shake everyone else around them and tell them all about what he's planning. (Because no! No die! ;_____;)
And poor Kin. I really am going to shake him til his teeth rattle, silly boy. He's going to lose Kyo before he even has a chance to have him.
At least Raiden and Taka have come to a truce. (There was much, much squeeing over his appearance when he walked into Kyo's room after having been with Raiden. ^_____^)
Thank you for making my day. Completely. I so needed it. *tackle glomps*
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Date: 2005-03-24 04:46 am (UTC)*explodes with love for this story* <3
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Date: 2005-03-24 08:51 pm (UTC)As usual, wonderful chapter. Love Kyo's logic. "He would simply kill himself on Sanhoshi." O.o...
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Date: 2005-03-25 01:51 am (UTC)a wonderful way to pick up after a nasty day at work. ^______^
::sighs:: wonderful as always. i'm growing fairly fond of taka and nankyo. ^______^