DISCLAIMER:
The characters belong to Sai Yukino and Kairi Yura, Kadokawa Shoten,
Madhouse Studios, etc., i.e., not me.
I'm just borrowing them for a
while to spin a tale.
This Flash Fic was prompted into existince by the Week 1 challenge on
the Saiun
Challenge LJ too.
But I entered Gifts and Motives instead. Word Count: 300 Words
Protective
Instincts
By firewolf
May 2008
@>;-'-
The ungrateful brat
didn't come easily, but Reishin could forgive his resistance. He
recognized the fear in Kou's eyes and seethed uselessly in his thoughts
of the ones who put it there.
The boy struggled harder when
he saw the carriage, but he calmed once
Reishin threw open the door to show him the fevered Yuri. After that,
Reishin managed to coax Kou into the carriage without incident.
However, when they proceeded with their journey, Kou moved to kneel at
Reishin's feet.
So surprised was he, Reishin
almost moved too late to catch Kou's
wrist. "Boy, I have taken you from the mountains making you mine, but
you must *never* do this again." Reishin told Kou firmly as he dragged
the small hand from beneath his robes.
"But-- it is the one thing I
am good at."
"We will find other things
that you can do for me." Reishin snarled,
angry at the thought of how Kou could have come to possess this
knowledge and expertise. He made up his mind then and there that the
boy would have his protection as an adopted son.
"If anyone ever approaches
you to ask for this-- 'service,' you will
*refuse* and report *directly* to me. Do you understand me, boy?"
"What would you have me do
then to earn my keep, Sir?"
"My companion is ill, Kou.
You can help me care for her."
*~*~*
In the dormitories, Shuuei
once woke Kouyuu from a nightmare by
grabbing his arm. The older boy clearly recognized the flicker of
terror in his eyes before it faded into the customary look of
annoyance.
Shuuei had a healthy
imagination. He also remembered the long ago
gossip of Reishin and the son he rescued from the mountains.
This incident sparked the
protective streak within Shuuei for his
friend.
~owari~