Chapter Five

Ken's P.O.V

The days are about to end and everyone is on their usual routine. Well, at least for most of them. Being the Daikenja and all, I don't really have a fixed schedule of my own. Right now I have no plan of going back to the temple yet. It's not like I like to stay here better than spend those weird nights at the temple.

Yeah, for some reason I find it very uncomfortable staying at the shrine. Err... Aside from the fact that the least thing you're going to have-at east if you are the sage- is privacy. No. It's not because of that reason. It is something else. I can't brush off this feeling that something's just not right.

I continue my walk going to the courtyard in silence like I always do. Some of the guard and maids including Wolfram and Greta passed my way and greeted me. Except from the blonde prince, of course. He just snapped and gave me a 'hmp' before he resumed his activity with Greta.

I can't help but to chuckle inwardly. Clearly, he's still upset about that little incident between me and his fiancé, Shibuya. After that day, I always catch him glaring at me whenever I happen to ask him the whereabouts of his fiancé. Sometimes, I saw him w/ a big frown and mumbling words like 'cheater' or 'flirt' on Shibuya whenever he saw us together.

'Such a brat!'

I find him cute though. Specially when I saw the fire (almost literally) in his emerald eyes and biting his lower lip while cursing me -for being with his Yuuri again- under his breath. I couldn't help myself but to get amused that sometimes, I do things to Shibuya on purpose just to see him like that.

'It's priceless!'

Lucky me, I haven't gotten myself roasted by him. at least not yet.

When I arrived at the courtyard, I easily spotted the one I've been looking for. He's seated on the green grass under the apple tree with a baseball on his hand. His raven black hair was being swayed by the cool breeze and his eyes were pointing on the invisible view in front of him. He is again in deep thought which actually doesn't suit him.

I came close and sat on the grass just beside him. I take a look at him for a few good seconds. Clearly he hadn't noticed that I'm beside him now. I shook my head then tilted my head to watch through the direction of the sun that was about to set.

'Maybe I should do it now'

I'm battling with myself for a few good minutes before I find my voice to speak. I... we...have to know.

"You did a pretty good job out there you know."

I started. not glancing at him. My eyes are still on the horizon. I could feel him looking at my direction though.

"David was a very good actor you know." Then I look at him.

"I must say Shibuya, you're learning fast."

For half a second, I swear to see the shock look on his face before it disappears immediately. Then, there we're both in silence for a moment. He didn't say a thing yet. W/c makes me think that I hit the spot.

NO. I don't 'think'. I'm sure of it.

"I... I don't know."

Finally he broke the silence.

"This thing still freaks me out somehow."

I just nod in agreement. and silently look at the sky above. It is a very good sight to behold. Quite peaceful that I could just let myself drift into it.

"Is this even possible?"

Shibuya blurted out after a while. I'm not quite sure though if the question was meant for me or to himself. Maybe both. Either way, I chose to keep my peace and shifted my head to his direction.

"Scared?"

I ask teasingly to lighten up the mood. But even myself knew that it's no use.

" Are you?"

Shibuya asked and looked at me using a deadpan stare that I never thought I would see on him. I was taken aback for a short while there but I just flashed him my notorious deadpan smile . I know very well what he's trying to do.

"You do know that that trick won't work on me, Shibuya."

Then he suddenly flashed his trademark goofy smile .

"Haha. Sorry 'bout that. It's just that..." his voice went back to it's seriousness again together w/ his facial expression.

"There are moments that I can't help myself from doing things like that now, that it creeps me out."

He turned to me again. I met his gaze and saw fear and confusion in his eyes.

" I'm scared, Murata. I really am." his eyes were glassy.

'Ah! The very Shibuya that I know.'

"So, what are we gonna do?" I asked

It's not that it doesn't matter to me or anything. It's just that there is no use in indulging ourselves deeper in the situation we are in. It will only cause chaos on our mind. The more that we talked about it, the more confused we will be. As a sage, confusion should always be out of the picture.

"I ... I don't know."

"Should we have them informed?"

"No!"

"No?"

"Not now. We're not even sure what's going on. I do not want them to worry."

"Fair enough." then, there comes the silence again.

I'm starting to become uncomfortable with it so i decided to speak my mind out.

"Maybe I should sneak into the shrine's library to find something that could help us. There must be an answer out there somewhere."

"Great! Maybe I'll search the castle's library too. "

I saw a glint of hope in those black orbs as he spoke. But the thing is, I'm not certain if there will be anything we can find. Though at least, we could give it a try.

"But we have to be discreet. If we are to pull it off, we should not do anything that could catch Weller-kyu's attention."

Shibuya just nodded and went silent again. Things may change a bit now. But Shibuya will always be Shibuya. One can clearly see and feel that he's too scared of what's happening, especially now that he can't voice it out to everyone except from me. He really felt alone.

Things are not simple as it may seem. I am Daikenja's incarnate, so I know. I worry for my friend. The mere thought of it makes me wanna cry. I shook my head involuntarily at the thought.

'So, this is how he feels every time, huh?'

"Say, Shibuya. Will you be alright?"

"H..hai." he reluctantly answered.

" If you feel uneasy and weird. Just let me know. 'kay?"

I tapped his shoulder to somehow reassure him that he is not alone.

A smile curve on his lips.

"Right. Arigato gosaimas, Murata." Then a moment later, he started to laugh.

"Really, Murata. I can't believe I'll hear you talk and see you like that. It is far from from the 'You' that I know. It gives me chills!"

"Urusai. Same goes for you too."

And then we find ourselves laughing our arse off for the next few minutes.

So, this is how it feels, huh? uncomfortable yet so light. For a moment there I felt like nothing was going wrong. I only wish we can pull this off. I know we will.

'In Shinou's name.'