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
Submitted to
Saiun
Challenge's Week 10 Prompt. Word Count: +250 Words. I won Second Place.
Promises
Made
By firewolf
July 2008
@>;-'-
“‘Oh?’ Is that all you have
to say?” Reishin stared down at Kou who looked away, refusing to meet
his eyes.
He knew that he was unused to children, but Reishin thought he
remembered enough about being a child to think the boy would be more
excited about the prospect of visiting the city. He could fondly
remember visits to the city tagging along with his beloved Aniue as
they visited the shops and enjoyed the games and food at the quarterly
festival. He would be so jealous of the time spent with Shou Aniue,
he’d sometimes trick Kurou into staying behind, just so he could
monopolise his Aniue’s time.
Kou, however, reacted as if it was the end of the world. And Reishin
knew deep down that this was not natural.
“Kou?”
Reishin gritted his teeth and knelt on one knee to bring himself down
to the boy’s level. But he was glad that he had done this otherwise he
would not have noticed the tears rolling down the boy’s face. He
immediately understood then that the boy didn’t associate a visit to
the city in the same way he did.
“Kou? What is it? What are you expecting me to do with you?” Reishin
could not help asking this question though he could guess what the
answer might be.
“I—I thought—I was useful—I was hoping—you wouldn’t think of—of selling
me so soon.” The boy sobbed softly. “But—I guess—I guess—you don’t need
me around anymore.”
Though he was expecting that answer, Reishin still could not stop
himself from reacting strongly at the suggestion. His hands reached out
to grip Kou around his arms fiercely. “Never think that. *Never*
suggest again that I will rid myself of you, Kou.
“You are mine, and what I consider mine I do not give away nor sell.
What I consider *mine,* Kou, I *keep*.”
The boy stared stunned at him through his tears. And in his eyes,
Reishin could see a tiny spark of hope. But there was still fear
dominating those eyes, a lingering doubt which Reishin knew made the
boy afraid to believe.
In a move which surprised even him, Reishin flicked free an inner
sleeve to gently wipe the tears from Kou’s face. “Come, Kou. Yuri has a
carriage waiting for us. ”
*~*~*
Through their entire visit in the city, Reishin refused to release
Kou’s hand as they moved from store to store. Yuri noticed of course,
but she just smiled as she walked with them and accepted Reishin’s
wallet to pay for the purchases they made at the shops without making
any remarks.
As the hours passed, Kou started to relax, especially when both Reishin
and Yuri would share with him sweet meats and treats they’d find at the
festive stores. Reishin knew the moment he finally won Kou over when
the boy’s face lit up to be handed a ring of multi-coloured paper fans
on a stick. He reflected belatedly then, that this could possibly be
the first frivolous toy Kou had ever been given.
Thereafter, Reishin could feel Kou’s tiny hand clinging as fiercely to
his. Reishin knew that Kou would never bring up the subject of being
sold ever again. But to cement this, he was going to give the boy a
proper name.
When they returned to the manor, Reishin would begin his research.
Hopefully, he’d be able to find something suitable before the festival
was over. Then they could visit the city again for a celebration to
firm Kou’s position as their recognised son.
~owari~