Another Conversation

The Southern Prince escaped from his room to seek fresh air. His older brother, the Southern Crown Prince, has just entered his room. Upon seeing his empty bed, he immediately called a search for his brother. The rascal, despite wounded, had silenced but quickened his steps until he found himself in the Shrine’s little forest, just steps behind their building. Under his feet was a little stone path. He heard the ladies-in-waiting and soldiers calling his name. He chuckled, wasted no time, and followed the path.

…

The Northern Crown Prince stood over the little bridge, looking at the still waters decorated with water flowers. He was deep in his thoughts and that was simply because his conscience felt heavy over guilt and responsibility. However, the more he thought of it, the more it was made clear of him that he could not help the Southerner out of his predicament and that was the man’s choice to help him, not his.

…

The Rascal huffed as he leaned on a tree to catch his breath. He peeked from where he was and found that no servant or soldier has followed him. He mischievously smiled and felt proud of his furtiveness. When he turned his head around, he found a person staring at him.

“Kazuki?”

Never mind furtive, he thought. Still, he smiled at the man, “Yoshiro, what a fancy meeting you here.”

Yoshiro scoffed, “Great, you’ve ruined the peaceful atmosphere.”

Kazuki laughed and slowly walked to Yoshiro. Yoshiro looked at him in the knees and to his relief, the man wasn’t shaking. Kazuki followed where Yoshiro’s eyes were looking at and to his surprise, down his----damn it, he was surprised.

His eyes widened, “I didn’t know you had a thing for---“

Yoshiro sensed the man had the wrong interpretation and quickly tried to fix the situation, “That wasn’t what that meant! Don’t get me wrong!”

Kazuki laughed as he stood by Yoshiro’s side, “Heh, even if you have a thing for---“

Yoshiro’s voice came sternly as he said, “Stop that.”

“…oh, okay.”

Kazuki obeyed and that was a few seconds before he realized, he obeyed a Northerner’s command. He wanted to continue teasing Yoshiro, just to spite him, but somehow, the soft flowing of water, the rustling of the leaves, and crickets’ song all silenced him. Yoshiro was actually right. He did ruin the serene atmosphere here so the next thing he did was close his eyes and feel the peace fill his body.

Yoshiro turned to Kazuki. There were words he needed to say to him. It felt heavy in his throat but as he opened his mouth, the very organ refused to produce those words. He felt the speed of his blood rushing through his veins. He suddenly became sensitive to every sound, every scent and every sensation that passed at him then he was scared. He did not know whether the words or the sensations’ doing. He simply was but like the soldiers and wars and every fear he has fought before, he steeled himself.

He asked, “Were you punished because of me?”

Kazuki, surprised, quickly opened his eyes and slowly turned to Yoshiro. The man stared at him so he must be the recipient of that question…or is there someone else? Kazuki turned around just to make sure then smiled at Yoshiro.

“You ask me that?”

Yoshiro frowned and softly muttered as if he was uncertain, “Why did you go lengths to help me when you knew it was treason to?”

Kazuki laughed, “You are concerned for your enemy?”

Yoshiro was about to say, why not, but hesitated. It dawned on him what the message meant. He simply turned away from Kazuki and viewed at the little river in front of them. Kazuki only smiled and did the same.

He placed his arms behind his back, “Just like I told you back then, it’s because of the oath I took.”

“Hippocratic?”

Kazuki nodded, “Yes, I’m surprised you know.”

“I…I have read books about the West, their culture and their ideas.”

“Even if some of their ideas are illegal?[1]”

It was Yoshiro’s turn to nod.

“Oh, you’re quite interesting.”

The other man raised his eyebrows and suddenly turned to him, “What did you---“

“You act all neat and proper but reading illegal books is your past time.”

Yoshiro chuckled, lowered his head, then nodded, “They’re only illegal because they’re foreign to us. Heh, some of our ideas and books are deigned strange in the West. It’s a matter of culture that defines what is wrong and right.”

Kazuki stared at him. Yoshiro flustered as he realized he rambled to the man. How is it earlier, he couldn’t manage to speak, but now, his words were flowing and he felt at ease? For all he knows, Kazuki could team up with his court-enemies and frame him for treason but he was at ease. He didn’t feel the man would do something like that.

“Why do you read them?”

Yoshiro’s expression darkened as memories ran through his head in a flashback. He muttered, “…it’s a habit I can’t get rid of.”

Kazuki laughed, “Don’t get rid of it. It adds depth to your personality and I like it that way.”

He couldn’t believe what the man was saying. The man laughed. He wondered if he was joking.

“You know what, if we weren’t enemies, we could be really good friends. You could do a lot more illegal things with me if we were.”

His eyes widened at the suggestion, was about to accept the suggestion but remembered where he was and who he was talking to. He scoffed, “Ha, even if we weren’t, no, thanks.”

Kazuki shrugged but the next second smacked the man’s back.[2] Yoshiro gasped but it was too late. His back had begun to hurt. He glared, “I know it isn’t a tradition!”

“Not my problem!” laughed Kazuki. He took steps away from Yoshiro, “It’s getting late. I had my fill of fresh air and mischief tonight so, goodnight!” he turned and sprinted off.

Yoshiro flinched as he saw the man run---*he has fucking wounds---*but he figured it was a waste of time to stop or smack the man when he can do it in the next war. He rolled his eyes and bade goodbye, “Stay alive until I can kill you in Kaisen!”

Kazuki stopped running to look at Yoshiro. He snickered, “That isn’t a nice thing to say to a friend but okay, good luck with trying to kill me! I’ll do the same, too!” then he sauntered deeper into the forest, laughing.

The Northern Crown Prince watched as the man disappeared. He shook his head disapprovingly, “That man is unbelievable.”

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Illegal. Western Ideas, such as Christianity, are illegal in their time because it says “everyone is equal” but the Royalties this time thought themselves of gods or descendants of god. These two family lines where Kazuki and Yoshiro came from, actually believe so. More to this later as the story progresses.

[2] You decide which part of his back. It could be the thoracic, lumbar, or gluteal part.