Covert Operation - 02

Nobu is a great strategist.

Not only that, but he is also very secretive, so much. In fact, when Kazuki asked him what the plan was, he only answered with a smile.

That sent Kazuki panicking.

He realized that they might have walked straight into a suicide mission. They only had a handful of soldiers. Yes, they were the best soldiers in the South but if the Northerners brought a whole army, they were done for.

However, Nobu would’ve thought of that already. He must have something up in his sleeves. Besides, his brother wasn’t stupid, just rather very secretive.

He let out a sigh and leaned on one of the pillars. Was renting a "hideout" a good strategy? Wouldn't the locals be anxious if a group of bandits, as they would see it, come to this place? Would the guards or worse, the Northerners, hear of this? He shook his head and allowed his body to fall to the floor. It was a long day; they couldn't blame him if all he wanted was just to rest.

His brother, Nobu, liked hiding things from him and Miurio. Even when they were younger, he never told much about himself. Not even the servants knew what their Crown Prince's favorite food was. They were told it was a way of "protecting" himself, which he could never understand. They were siblings; how and why was he like that? Well, he didn't grow up in the palace but Miurio didn't turn out to be like that. There must've been something that made Nobu this way. It made him and Miurio more inquisitive. It started as filial love, and an eager yearning to know their brother better then it became their pastime. So far, they've discovered precious information such as their brother's favorite food, color, and season but not much of love. The man never had any affection for anyone yet that can't be true especially not when he looked at that Eunuch that way.

Thoughts of the war came back to him. Why, why was he thinking about his brother's secrets when they were about to get ambushed or whatnot--

The faint footsteps outside his room brought him out of his thoughts. He turned to the door and saw the man he's always looked up to. His brother smiled, "Kazuki, why aren't you dressed?"

He raised his brow, "What---What should I be getting dressed for? Aren't we supposed to plan how to get the Northerner alone---"

Nobu flung his arm around him, pulling him down to his height, "Ah, my dearest brother, you're worried!"

Much to his annoyance, Nobu started to ruffle his hair. He tried to struggle out of his brother's hold but Nobu pinned him down. He gave in and let his Nobu mess his hair.

Nobu chuckled, "You may be taller but I'm still the stronger one. Don't you forget that."

He felt his hair ruffled again but this time, it was much more of a caress. Nobu's arm suddenly left him; he stumbled but quickly regained his composure before the ground caught him. He let out an annoyed sigh, "Could you at least tell me some parts of the plan----"

Nobu smiled, "Don't bother. It's all settled. Besides, your partner will be filling you in the information."

His brother eyed him from head to toe and narrowed his eyes. It made him look at himself. Was there a soiled spot on his clothes? Did he wear his belt inside out again? Wait, could one even wear a belt inside out? He checked every spot of him only to find that he looked good or at least, presentable. He couldn't take it; he asked, "Is there----"

"I said, why aren't you dressed? I told Hyuk to tell you that we're seeing fireworks tonight."

He blushed then glared at his brother, who started to laugh and run. He went after him with a hand ready to smack his head off but Nobu simply turned his body to avoid him. He groaned as his brother pinched his cheek.

"Well, now that you know you need to impress your former lover, get dressed. Make him regret."

He shoved his brother's hand off, "I was the one who cut ties with him. Besides, I didn't bring anything good---"

Nobu playfully sighed, "Anything other than that plain black will do, Kazuki. Well, see you at the market. The Northerner's said to be there tonight...and as for you and Hyuk, I sincerely wish you'll have---" He started pushing his brother out of his room, "Go! Just go!"

He watched as his brother laughed, walking away from him. He shut his eyes and hit his forehead with his palm. Was this really his sole purpose, to watch fireworks with his brother? He felt sure he didn't ride all the way here just to watch some damn fireworks. He wanted to help his brother to win this war. Or did he lose his brother's trust? Was that the result of the first war?

He placed the tip of his fist on his lips. It was too late to regret now. He's always said that but couldn't say it enough. He shouldn't have helped the Northerner. He groaned and cursed rather loudly. He looked around and outside of his room in case anyone heard him curse. It wasn't like he was a woman; there are no rules imposed on him. He can curse as much as he wants. Back to his dilemma, he decided to be responsible. He rummaged for coins in his bag, a trait he's earned by living in with the commoners (for emergency), and headed for the market.

...

Fuck it.

That was what Yoshiro thought when he escaped from the eyes of his guardians. The word, thought, and memories of having a guardian irked him. Who, in their right mind, would assign guardians to an adult? He is twenty; isn’t that considered an adult? His mind ran through the list of things he couldn’t do and could rebel against. He couldn’t curse (which he did more, just to show his power if he had any.) He couldn’t be left alone (especially not after falling into the hands of the enemy but was lucky he was with that type of enemy.) He had to be with a guardian, at least a squad of soldiers, wherever he wanted to explore but that -is- not exploring. That is being under surveillance. Couldn’t they trust him---even for just a minute or two? He is twenty for the sake of all the fucking gods there are.

He snickered, pleased with his rebellious phase. Today, he broke three rules---no, he made it four. He counted Confucius’ most precious rule: honor thy parents. He surely wasn’t honoring his father or his stupid rules. That made him feel a bit guilty but free, even a bit thrilled; he might get addicted to this feeling. Is this why criminals repeatedly commit the same offenses? Maybe, he should break more rules.

What more rules does he break? He childishly strolled along the stalls, relishing his time as a completely free man. He smiled, taking more steps into the bazaar and its’ plethora of stalls. His eyes carefully examined every detail: the fabrics in all colors of the rainbow hung almost everywhere, the dusty, the fresh, the rotten, the perfume to flowery smells, the textures and oddities of each good, the varied voices ranging from high, low, sickly, too happy to coughing and diseased. All of it was strange.

Is this what commoners call luxury? Certainly, this was what that stranger named this place to him. He couldn’t believe it. He didn’t know if he should be disgusted or thrilled. He only knew pedigreed men and women, who always held themselves in high esteem. He decided to look at the bright side: at least, he knew how the lower spectrum lived their lives as a reference when he becomes an emperor. He smiled bravely (for a person who’s known wealth all his life) and stepped into the messy place.

It felt both exciting and disgusting and unreal, all at the same time. He heard voices, of all sorts, calling him, pressing strange things at his face, urging him to buy. He heard them calling it charms, made from dead---he instinctively moved away before he knew what kind of dead but another wave of merchants came at him, offering him another batch of strange things. (It made sense because he looked rich and seemed young and clueless about the world; a rich governor’s son who got lost or wanted to.) He also heard some merchants talking about fresh, young flesh. What?

He felt a hand over his shoulder; that drew the line. He got pissed but when he turned around, saw someone who shouldn’t be seeing him in a degenerate place like this. The man signaled with his head to follow him, which he shouldn’t do but did. Everything felt surreal and he couldn’t think things through the confusion in his mind.

The crowd gave way as the man walked. The man exuded indifference and seriousness. He admired that. Come to think of it, this man had lived with commoners before. He fits right in, knows their ways, and how to be respected by these kinds of people. Or, probably, they thought this man was his guardian. That slightly irritated him but disregarded it. He saved him from that strange situation, anyways.

He followed him all the way. The sights changed from that mess of a place to a lighter, friendlier one. He could see the skies here once more; unlike that place, where products almost covered the skies and the smell---he shook it off. He didn’t have to remember that. He was here, in a safe place---no, he was in an inn room With the Southerner? What? His whole face felt hot. How absentminded could he become!?

He watched as Kazuki walked to a dressed and stripped his outer robes. He felt embarrassed, having to see the way Kazuki took his robe off. He quickly turned and searched for the exit from this….room. Just how could he follow him mindlessly!?