The King of Etherin part one (edited)
Jun. 1st, 2014 10:40 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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krystalkatzficzTitle: The King of Etherin (Edited)
Author: krystalkatz
Rating: G
Length: Chaptered
Genre: Historical Au, Romance,
Pairings: Ohno Satoshi/Ninomiya Kazunari
Disclaimer: I only own the plot
Nino woke slowly pushing away his dream of Ohno and sitting up in the bed to ring the bell beside the bed to let the servant know it was okay for them to enter. The heavy wooden door was pushed open slowly to reveal his advisor Sakurai and a maid carrying a silver tray with his breakfast on it. Nino gave a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes as he looked at the mound of food, he never had much of an appetite but he was always worried that his cook would be offended if it wasn’t finished, he held up one of the prewritten notes from beside the bed
>Thank-you, Mizuki< the maid smiled and gave a curtsy before leaving, he ate a few of the fruits slowly and drank some of the tea before pushing the tray in Sakurai’s direction, the advisor ate what was left of the breakfast while handing Nino some paperwork to sign. Nino let out a sigh, looking out of the window at the dull grey sky, it was four years since he had become King of Etherin, four years since his father had died, four years since he had seen Ohno in the flesh, but he still dreamt of him every night and thought about him when times were hard.
In his drawer were so many letters that he had written but he could never find the courage to send them. It was more for personal reasons than political but if somehow one of his letters went astray the implications would be immense. He knew Toma wrote to Yamapi every week and he couldn’t help but feel a little envious of them. He wrote the letters so that one day when Ohno did come he could show them to him, they were more like his journal than anything else.
“Your majesty, are you feeling okay?” Sakurai asked as he watched the king sigh again, Nino picked up his writing pad
>I’m fine, I was just thinking… Is Jun back yet?<
“No your majesty” Sakurai answered thoughtfully, he had long been suspicious of the King and knights relationship, it was his job to make sure things ran smoothly and a scandal like that was the last thing they needed at the moment. Nino pouted Jun had become almost like a brother to him over the years and he hated it when he was out of the castle,
>I see< he wrote and then read through the documents Sakurai had given him, signing them at the bottom, >Will you send Yori in?<
“Yes, sire” Sakurai bowed taking the paperwork, Nino frowned again, over the years Sakurai still remained a mystery, he refused to call him ‘Nino’ or anything that wasn’t respectful just as he refused to talk about anything personal. All that he really knew about the man was that he was that he was the only member of staff that didn’t live inside the castle grounds. Nino was getting dressed when his elderly knight, friend, and guardian came in. The man looked older everyday with hair that was almost completely silver now and so many wrinkles that his face sagged when he smiled as he was doing now.
“You wished to see me, sire?” He asked and Nino nodded picking up his notebook and writing purposely slowly digging the pencil into the page.
>Yes, I want to go to Rain farm<
“Your majesty?” Yori gasped sounding overly shocked and Nino could understand why, he had always refused going back to visit the farm knowing that the leaving would be more painful than he could bear. So he waited but he knew that with each passing day it was growing more and more painful to wait and his memories were becoming less like memories and more like dreams of what had happened.
>Please, it’s been Four years, I just want to see him again< Nino wrote quickly knowing that the old man wouldn’t refuse his request and sure enough Yori sighed running his fingers through his very grey hair saying softly;
“I will see what I can do your majesty”
>Thank-you!< Nino wrote happily underlining it a few times his face almost glowing with his happiness. Yori let out a laugh, glad that he could give his king that much happiness over only a few words. Nino had changed little physically since becoming king, but mentally and emotionally he was years older, matters of state kept him from sleep most nights and meetings throughout the day kept him from meeting with even the few friends that he had inside the castle and Yori suspected he needed some time to be himself again and seeing the younger farmer would restore him, he was sure of that.
For the first time in a long time Nino spent most of the day smiling happily and his smile only grew when Yori told him that they could go to Rain farm in two days.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ohno stared at the mound of earth, a storm of emotions churning in his stomach, tears he hadn’t been able to shed at the death were now following freely down his face. Four years had passed since Nino had left and it was a year since Kana had gotten ill instead of getting better had gotten steadily worse until a week ago she had passed away finally released from the torment her sickness caused throughout her body. There was only him and Yamapi at her funeral and if Yamapi hadn’t have stepped in she wouldn’t have even been able to have been buried within the temple walls. Still an outcast for accepting him when nobody else would. He sank to his knees his eyes burning and his heart heavy with grief wondering what he was going to do now. He remembered his last promise to Nino but how was he meant to keep it? It had been four years and there had been no contact what would he do if he turned up at the palace and Nino didn’t even remember it. Their sweet time together and the love that they had shared had been perfect, a dream almost one that kept him warm even during the harshest winter but there was no way he could just show up at the castle but if he did remember then that meant that Nino was expecting him.
“He would want you to go to him” Yamapi said as if reading his mind as he came to kneel beside him touching his shoulder. The farmer looked at him they had become close friend despite everything, the temple didn’t approve but Ohno suspected that they would have disproved of the letters that had been to Rain farm from Toma more. Ohno had no idea what kind of relationship the healer and the knight had but he always seemed to read the letters with a happy smile.
“So will you be going to the castle?” He asked and the priest spluttered for a moment looking more flustered than he had ever seen him as he gasped;
“Me?”
“I know Nino asked you to be his personal healer… You stayed because you were the only one that would treat my grandma while I was in the house…” Ohno murmured gratitude that he would never be able to put into words filling him as he thought about it and the priest hummed rubbing his chin.
“I was just thinking about that yesterday…” He admitted as they both bowed their heads at the grave and then walked away the rain cutting into the clothing they were wearing.
They didn’t speak more until they were back at the farm, Ohno was sat in Kana’s chair stroking her bag of wool lightly tears filling his eyes again. He had known for a long time that she was dying and he never expected for it to be this bad when she was gone. The farm, tiny though it was, felt huge and silent the floors thick with dust and grime that he could not get clean. So many happy years had been spent her but it felt as cold and as empty as a tomb. He wanted to see Nino so much it was like a physical ache in his chest, Yamapi patted his arm lightly murmuring that everything was going to be okay repeatedly.
“I think I will go to the castle, even if Nino has forgotten me…” He murmured when he had calmed down and the healer nodded
“Okay… I would travel with you but I am guessing you will be rushing off as soon as possible… I will meet you at the castle” He said and Ohno thanked him again as they both raised a glass of whiskey to the woman that had been more loving then almost all of the holy men.
The healer was right about him rushing off as soon as he could, there was nothing left for him to stay for any more and as soon as he packed a sack with food and clothes he locked the door on the cottage not knowing if he would ever return, even if Nino had forgotten him. He walked through the forest in the opposite direction from the village until he reached a dirt road that was well used by horses and carts. The rain had caused the dirt to become a thick type of mud that squelched and sucked at his feet and as he walked several carts passed close by him spraying mud and other things up over his clothes but none stopped until he had been working for almost a day.
“Need a lift, lad?” A kindly bright voice said and Ohno turned in amazement. His body was cold and sore and he longed to take up the offer but he was also aware that he was up to his knees in mud and the cart was more of a brightly painted caravan which told him quickly that they were a family of the wanderers. He had seen the wandering folk before but he had always been warned to stay away from him. His father had calmed that they would steal your wallet while seducing you blind. His father had said a lot of useless things though and it wasn’t through fear that he shook his head and gave a smile,
“Thank-you but no…I would not want to dirty your caravan…” Ohno stated and the man waved his hand in a flurry.
“A bit of mud never harmed anyone, climb aboard…” The man said kicking down a step for him “I’m Aiba Yuuki, a trader by practise…this is my wife and our boy’s Masaki and Yusuke” the trader said and Ohno smiled politely at the family as they were introduced.
“Um… Then thank-you for stopping” Ohno mumbled gratefully climbing up into the caravan and almost tumbling down with relief his legs starting to throb now that he had stopped walking.
“The road is long, more company the better as they say…” Yuuki said as he urged the horse onwards up the road thankfully in the direction that he wanted to be going in. “Where do you be traveling to?”
“The capitol… To the castle” Ohno answered slowly grateful that they had offered him a lift but he didn’t know how much he could explain. The children’s eyes were on him watching him closely with bright expectation in their eyes, something that only got brighter when they heard the word castle. Even the older boy who looked to be about the same age as Nino would be.
“Are you hoping to get work there?” Yuuki asked after letting out a loud whistle speeding up the horse.
“Y-yes I have a friend at the castle” he said wondering if it was improper to call the king ‘a friend’ but if that was the case most of their other activities would be called improper he thought, letting out a long sigh until he realised he was being stared at by a boy of about ten, he pulled a funny face causing him to laugh
“What does your friend do in the castle?” The older boy Masaki said with no small trace of excitement in his voice bouncing up and down on the seat that could easily be turned into a bed and Ohno hmm his head tilting to one side and giving a smile.
“They’re the king’s knights” He answered thinking about Nino and Jun, doubting they would believe him if he said ‘King’.
“King Kazunari’s knights?” The younger brothers eyes widened and he inched closer his older brother while he was still pulling faces at him
“We used to live in the palace… When the king was younger, have you ever met him? He was really cute…Shame that he couldn’t talk… And he had such a rotten father…”
“Masaki you shouldn’t talk ill of the dead…” His mother sighed and Ohno remembered vaguely that Nino had mentioned a friend once. A boy and his family that was thrown out because they were too close and his father didn’t like that. It these were Nino’s old friends then what were the chances of that happening? It was almost unbelievable. “You should get some rest now, Satoshi…”
“Thank-you…” Ohno smiled his head resting back against the wood of the caravan the swaying and the gentle sound of the horse’s hooves sending him into a peaceful sleep as he thought, it really is a small world while wondering if it was a sign.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ohno sighed happily as he soaked in the stream, having waited until everyone else had taken their turn, knowing that he had to be careful to keep his shirt on to hide the marks on his back but it felt good to wash some of the grime and mud away. He had been traveling with the Aiba’s for three days and he found that he rather liked them. Yuuki was a man that seemed to have a heart as warm as the sun, he didn’t have much but what he had he shared with a smile, his sons was just as giving and from Masaki he learnt a lot of cute stories about him and Nino when his silent prince was a tiny boy. Ren was a lovely woman, though she seemed to be firmer than her gentle husband. With waist length black hair that was always dressed up with flowers and other pretty things her sons would gather for her.
Humming lightly to himself Ohno climbed out of the stream, looking around hesitantly before pulling off his shirt and pulling on a clean one that Ren had made for him out of one of Masaki’s old ones. He thought that he had gotten away with it, until much later that night when people were getting into bed. He had stayed up with Yuuki and was just about to turn in when there was a ruckus.
“You should no longer travel with him” A burly man said storming over to the tradesman’s caravan pointing wildly at Ohno with a fat and heavily scarred finger and Yuuki turned to look at him with a glare but Ohno realised what it meant and his heart sank like a stone to the bottom of his stomach knowing that his happy respite with the Aiba’s was coming to an end.
“You saw my scars” he whispered, wondering how much he had seen and how much he knew about the different scars. None of them were good but there were dozens of the little connecting marks each one a silvery white lines burnt into the flesh of each of the churches victims.
“Yes… Do you not deny that you were punished by the temple for acts against the gods?” The stranger said disgust and contempt ringing with each word.
“I cannot deny that that I was punished” Ohno admitted hanging his head praying that Yusuke and Masaki were asleep, they had been sharing a bed they did not need to know that he was an unnatural beast. He hoped Yuuki would tell them something different when they realised that he wasn’t with them tomorrow.
“Forgive me sir, but what right do you have to say who I should not travel with?” Yuuki asked slowly, with none of his normal sing song brightness. He was a tall man not very wide but thin well trained muscles could be seen through his shirt and when he stepped forwards the burly man took a step back even as his own muscles clenched tightly grunting out;
“I thought only for the safety of your children…”
“Oh is that right? The safety of my children, well I am grateful that you care for the safety of my children but the lad has travelled with us for many miles and I have not once felt the safety of my children was at risk, I don’t know that acts that caused the temples to mark, the lad nor do you…”
“He has lain with another of his own sex” The burly man snapped showing off a mouth full of rotten black teeth and Ohno froze guessing that the man had read his marks clearly. He had been surprised that Yuuki had been defending him until now but he knew that there was no way even someone as amazingly friendly as Yuuki was, would understand that act.
“Is this true?” Yuuki asked in a soft voice looking at him and Ohno felt his cheeks flush and his eyes burn as he nodded his head unable to do anything other than nod in agreement as he whispered in a very small voice;
“Y-yes”
“Did you force yourself on him? Was he only a child that didn’t understand…?”
“No!” Ohno snapped hotly repulsed by the idea, memories of Nino, silently moaning with happiness circling his mind “I love him and he loves me”
“I see, in the same way that I love my wife?” Yuuki gave a half smile and Ohno tried to understand what was going on, this wasn’t the normal questions he was asked when he was found out. In fact there was never any questions he was just shunned immediately at best or at worst rocks were thrown at him.
“I guess…”
“Then I don’t see how my children will be at risk…” Yuuki said looking over to where his sons were meant to be to sleeping. Nervously Ohno followed his gaze and saw that Masaki was awake and looking at them with a shocked expression on his face. He wasn’t much younger than him about the same age as Nino so he wasn’t a child and it was clear that he could understand what was being said, but like his father there was no hate in his face and Ohno was positive that he gave a flash of a smile
“He will corrupt them”
“I may be a simple tradesman, and it is true that I do not understand why one man may turn to another man for love or… Other things, but as long as it’s two consenting parties I don’t see what business it is what goes on behind closed doors…As for corrupting and the like… He is no plague nor carries no sickness, he cannot corrupt” Yuuki said turning away from the burly simpleton now he rested his fatherly hand on Ohno’s shoulder, “Take no notice of his words, you’re free to stay with us until we arrive at the capitol…”
“I-I didn’t think you were going that far…” Ohno gasped feeling the weight and the heat of his hand through his shirt and he could feel the painful sting of tears forming in his eyes.
“Yes, well I want to see that you arrive in one piece to see your friends again and I’m sure we would get more business in the main town anyway, maybe your friends would buy some of our goods” Yuuki smiled squeezing his shoulder as gently as he would any of his sons.
“T-thank-you” Ohno whispered emotions choking his voice, never would he have expected someone to defend him in that way. Well his grandmother had but he had always assumed that she was one in a million.
“Don’t mention it” Yuuki mumbled as he watched the man stalk away muttering angrily to himself.
“I’ll sleep out here…” Ohno offered still unsure how to act, his whole village had turned against him when they had learnt the truth but an almost stranger had defended him.
“Nonsense… You’ll freeze… You shall sleep where you’ve been sleeping…” The older man said pushing him towards the caravan where Masaki and Yusuke were and Ohno swallowed shaking his head and pulling away from the hand muttering;
“I wouldn’t want any of you to feel uncomfortable…”
“Nonsense, I like women, that doesn’t mean I’m going to force myself on any girl I happen to cast my eye on… I’m thinking it is the same for you lad… And my boys don’t mind sharing do you lads?” Yuuki asked and both boys sat up shaking their heads and smiling.
“No…He doesn’t snore like Yusuke does”
“I don’t snore! You snore! But it’s warmer with him…” Yusuke bit back sleepily and Masaki held up the blanket for him. Ohno tried to ignore the emotions building inside of him but he couldn’t help the happy tears forming in his eyes.
The rest of the trip was uneventful and they reached the capital city just as the sky was going dark and Ohno could only see the pure black outline of the castle sitting on top of a hill and that was enough to make him and gulped, wondering if he was really going to have the courage to go there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nino was silently buzzing with excitement, his eyes continuously looking out of the window hoping and praying that he would reach Rain Farm soon. Sakurai was sitting across from looking mildly disapproving but he had reluctantly accepted that the king needed this. These four years had been hard, those loyal to the old king had resisted the changes his ‘weak’ son was doing. Most weren’t quiet about it either and had tried… Were still trying to gain support to hand the country to Nino’s cousin. The common folk loved their king though, stating he was firm but fair and so far none of them had acted against him and Sakurai had grown to respect him over the years.
The carriage rolled into Rain farm and almost before it had stopped Nino was trying to open the door and get out ignoring the protests from Sakurai who was trying to hold him down. All resistance became futile when the carriage came to a complete stop and he threw open the door. He jumped down into the muddy courtyard and without realising anything was wrong he ran to the little door and knocked loudly, wishing that he could shout or something. He looked around the farm smiling happily as memories flared up inside his mind. Happy sweet memories and he longed to see Ohno walking towards him from the top field with a smile and mud on his face. He knocked again more urgently and when there was no answer he really started pay attention and a nervous sickly knot formed in his chest wondering what was going on and where Ohno was.
“There’s nobody here, Nino” Toma told him with a frown on his handsome face coming back from the barns “No livestock, no nothing…”
>Did Yamashita mention anything?< Nino wrote quickly, ignoring the sickness that was in his heart. He doubted if the healer and knight spoke of them in their messages but there was a chance they had mentioned something about what was happening here. Toma nodded slowly his hand running through his hair as he swallowed his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down and Nino knew that there was something that he had been hiding.
“He… A few months ago he told me that Kana was sick… Very sick, they’d had to get rid of most of the animals to pay for her medicines…”
>Why didn’t you tell me?< Nino asked his hand trembling as it moved over the paper almost snapping the lead in half as his fingers trembling unable to believe that he hadn’t known.
“Ohno, he asked us not to tell you, he didn’t want you to worry…You have been through so much these past few years, king…”
>He didn’t want me to interfere< Nino wrote looking around the deserted farm finding it hard to believe that this was the same place from his memories as he could finally see the changes and wasn’t looking with the eyes of his youth. Everything was over grown or broken down looking in such a state that it was impossible to believe that his memories hadn’t been just a figment of his imagination. But it was real, this had been the place he had had so much fun, and had felt so loved and safe here.
“Your majesty, maybe we should go to Matsumoto hall?” Sakurai suggested softly coming to place a hand on his elbow and very reluctantly Nino nodded taking one last look at the lifeless cottage before climbing back into the carriage.
“I’m going to go see if Yamapi knows what’s going on” Toma shouted as he jumped up on his grey and riding quickly away dirt flying out beside him.
*~*~*~*~*
Matsumoto hall wasn’t the ideal place for them to go but his own cottage would be too damp and dusty without a good airing and they had arranged to meet up with Jun there. His friend was pacing backwards and forwards outside of the large house and Nino was happy to see him even if his heart was breaking that he had missed Ohno.
“Nino” Jun muttered torn between smiling politely and pulling him into a hug when he saw the heartbroken face of his prince turned king. The years had been good to the Knight who had finally grown into his appearance making him one of the most sought after knights in the palace but he still only had eyes for his king even though he knew that he would never stand a chance. Right now he cursed the farmer in his mind as he whispered “You went to Rain farm?”
>Yes< Nino wrote slowly allowing himself to be pushed down into gold leaf chair beside the fire >Did you know about it?<
“I knew Kana was sick, but I didn’t know that he was leaving” The knight told him softly sitting down in a matching chair. “I only got here myself this morning, I went to visit him but I found it empty and there was no time to send you a message…I’m sorry…”
>Its not your fault, Jun, I didn’t even know Kana was sick< The king wrote sadly wishing that somebody had told him so that he could have come to visit her before the end. She had been so nice and gentle that he would have loved to have spent time in her kitchen again.
“It was Ohno, he didn’t want to worry you… That’s all” The knight told him and with a sigh Nino gave a small nod. He knew that that would be the truth, and he should have known that the farmer wouldn’t have wanted to upset him but he couldn’t help but be upset that Ohno had had to go through losing his beloved grandma alone. He watched the flames flicker and pop within the fire for a moment and then he let out a silent sigh wishing that he had made his decision to come earlier. The door was thrown open with a loud clatter that shocked a couple of footmen and Toma strode into the room followed closely by the healer. Nino gave the flushed and panting man a smile even as he fell down onto his knees in front of him.
“Your majesty” Yamapi said as he grabbed a hold of his hand and squeezed it tightly kissing the ring Nino was forced to wear on his finger before he managed to tug his hand away. “You must have missed each other on the road, Ohno left for the castle a few days ago…”
Wishing he had the ability to shout out his frustration Nino’s pen moved furiously over his notepad and the group watched in silence even though they all knew what he was going to ask they waited until he had finished and held up the pad.
>When can we go back?<
“I would suggest we spend the night here but I can’t picture his majesty sitting still for that long” Toma teased lightly his hand falling casually down onto Yamapi’s shoulder his fingertips brushing over his neck lightly as Nino nodded beaming with happiness while Jun sighed shaking his head a little before saying;
“Well then, we should have food and change the horses at least before we head back”
Nino’s face was almost enough to eclipse the sun as they all agreed and every single man in the room knew that they were doing the right thing. None of them had seen him smile that wide since he had last been a Rain farm and it wasn’t only Nino that could hardly sit still as they ate and fresh horses were prepared. Nino paid no attention to the conversation and was impatient to be off that he was only just aware that Toma and Yamapi had left at some point during the evening and they only returned just as the groom announced that the carriage was ready. As soon as Yamapi’s few belongings were placed with Nino’s they were once again racing through the countryside, the king silently praying that they wouldn’t miss each other again.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Yuuki and his family had set up their stall in the market and told him that they would be there for at least three days and if his friends were unable to help there was always room for him in their caravan. It was a kind offer but one that Ohno hoped that he wouldn’t be have to take them up on. Nervous still causing his stomach to jump and roll around Ohno stared at the castle wondering if he was mad for even being here. It wasn’t like he could just knock on the door and ask to see the king. He hadn’t even told anybody that he was coming, Yamapi might have told Toma but four years and not one letter had been exchanged between him and the king. Matsu and Toma had visited him from time to time but other than that there was no contact and neither of them brought messages from Nino. He had heard gossip about the new king over the years, but most of the stories had come recently from Yuuki, who seemed to be amazingly well informed for a simple tradesman. Yuuki said he was a good king nothing like his father, people were worried though about the tensions with the other kingdoms were causing more than a little worry, more so since Ryuu had become king of Airith a year ago. Ohno had to force himself not to growl at the mention of Ryuu remembering what he had done to Nino. A man like that had no right to be in charge of people’s lives. The farmer found it disgusting that some people actually thought that he would make a better king than Nino, who had already brought about so many changes for the better.
“Are you going to the castle?” Yuuki asked him softly coming up to his side and Ohno shrugged unable to keep his fear from his face or voice and the older man gave him a smile squeezing his arm gently.
“I don’t know… Now that I’ve seen it…” Ohno let his voice trail off his whole body doing a shrug and a tremble running through him wondering why it felt so scary to look at a stone building. Yuuki gave a smile and Ohno was sure that he could see his own fear reflected in his gentle eyes
“It looks scary, ne?” The trader said motioning to the big black castle that over shadowed the town. It was very imposing and Ohno found it hard to believe that his sweet and gentle Nino had been brought up in such a place. It didn’t seem possible “The old king’s father made it look like that… And then Nino’s father kept it…But it’s just a building…Bricks and mortar nothing more…You’re friends are inside ne?”
“I hope so…” Ohno answered turning to look at the castle again flinching when Yuuki smacked him hard on the shoulder and knocking him forward so that he stumbled on the stones.
“Well… You won’t find out standing around here...As I’ve said if things don’t turn out the way you planned there’s a place for you here…”
“You’ve been very kind, thank-you for everything you’ve done... I know I don’t deserve…” Ohno stammered starting to bow his head when Yuuki held up his hand, stopping him quickly in the middle of his little speech,
“Lad, I’ve told you them scars don’t mean nothing… The gods don’t make mistakes as they say… But people do… And I reckon those that gave you those scars made a mistake… The one you love… They’re up there in that castle, ne?”
“I… Yes” Ohno answered his cheeks brightly wondering if he could really say that when he hadn’t even seen Nino in four years.
“Then lad I think that they’d be happy to see you…You shouldn’t keep them waiting…” Yuuki smiled almost pushing him in the direction of the castle “Go before I send one of my boys with you…”
Ohno gave a laugh and very slowly made his way up the hill his nervous growing with each step marvelling at the numerous moats and draw bridges that had been cut deep into the earth, the castle seemed almost impossible to penetrate from the outside and the closer he got the more he realised that the castle was another mini-town and it appeared that if it was taken the occupants would be able to survive for many months if not a year on just the supplies inside. When he finally arrived at the central part of the castle he looked around feeling even more lost than he had before.
“May I help you sir?” The footman said looking him over with a raised eye brow, as if he was something unpleasant.
“I-I… Um…” Ohno said suddenly forgetting how to speak for a moment as he stared at the expensive uniform that the footman was wearing.
“Tradesmen are to use the servant’s entrance at the back…” the manservant said as impolitely as possible and without protest Ohno gave a quick nod and walked over the crunchy gravel path until he found a smaller door that was open to a bright white passage way, there was nobody about so Ohno nervously walked down it and found himself in an amazing smelling kitchen, there were two amply proportioned women, a younger prettier one and a few maids hurrying around none of them seemed to notice him until what looked like an upstairs maid called out to him
“Is there something, you need sir?” she said her accent sounding a lot like his grandmother almost immediately he felt his heart relax glad that she hadn’t given him the same reaction as the footman had and he smiled saying softly;
“I’m looking for Ikuta Toma… The knight”
“If you’re looking for a knight you’re in the wrong place, love” One of the older ladies said with a cheerful smile,
“The knight Toma isn’t in the castle” The younger pretty one that reminded him of his grandma said gently and Ohno’s heart sank a little his last hope snapping as he wished he had the courage to ask for the king and all he could manage to say was a very disappointed;
“He isn’t?”
“No, he left with the king three mornings ago”
“Nino… The king isn’t here either?” He whispered not knowing what to do now there had never been much of a plan in the first place. Nino was the ruler of the entire country of course he wouldn’t be here. “Um…Do you know when they’ll be back?”
“The King went to visit his friend in the country…” One of the maids put in and Ohno was very tempted to sink to the floor and hold his head his hands and cry again wondering if it was possible that he and Nino had missed each other or if that was just wishful thinking as he asked;
“The country?”
“Yes, Matsumoto Jun, he was away in the south and the king went to meet him…I’m Maggie” She said with the same friendly smile that she had been using since he had arrived “I’m the main cook here”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Ohno Satoshi” He said quickly dropping his head with a bow and the woman waved him away flicking out a tea towel at him asking;
“So you’re a friend of our cheeky Toma’s?”
“Sort of yes” He nodded and Maggie gave him another bright smile motioning to come and sit down in one of the roughly cut but comfort chairs and picking up a large glass and placing it down in front of him.
“Would you like a drink? I’ll send a boy to fetch, Yori… Maybe he’ll be able to help…”
“Yes please and thank-you very much” Ohno said happy that at least Yori was still here maybe he would be able to get some answers where Nino would be and he smiled gratefully as he was given a large mug of frothy beer.
To say the knight was surprised when he received the message was an understatement and he immediately stopped what he was doing and ran to the kitchens staring at the young farmer in wide eyed disbelief. Ohno turned and gave a smile a foam moustache settling on his top lip.
“Satoshi, this is an unexpected surprise” Yori said recollecting himself as he gave a small smile though his eyes became troubled “His majesty is away… He is with Matsumoto…” There were a few murmurs when it became obvious that the farmer was here to see the king. Ohno gave a small blush, looking at the stone floor, “I’m sure they’ll return soon though once his majesty… He has missed you a lot” The old knight told and Ohno was aware that the buzzing had gotten louder but he didn’t care, his mind settling with the knowledge that Nino had missed him. Missed him enough to go and see him “You were such a friend to him four years ago…I will arrange a room for you…”
“Ah… It’s okay… I’m staying with some traders in town… Aiba Yuuki…” He said his tongue becoming unstuck from the roof of his mouth.
“Aiba?” Yori said and Ohno wasn’t as surprised as he should be by the fact that the Knight knew his travelling companion “I see then perhaps you should tell them to bring themselves to the castle…”
“I will…” The farmer nodded slowly, getting to his feet and bowing again. The buzz in the kitchen was becoming more than he could bear and after thanking Maggie and the he left the kitchen, not knowing what to do. There hadn’t been much of a plan in the first place, as he came out his breath caught as he saw the view, the clouds had lifted revealing rolling hills valleys, streams and rivers.
Nino ruled everything as far as he could see and he was a nothing, he didn’t even have the farm anymore the land it stood on belonged to the Matsumoto’s and the death of his grandma the lease had been dissolved. He was sure that Jun would resign it over to him he couldn’t bear the thought of living in that cottage by himself but he was wrong to come here, he knew that, the reports along the road had told him that the kingdom was preparing for war the last thing that Nino needed was him to come in and complicate things. Nino had been to visit him but they had missed each other, and that had to be a sign that they weren’t meant to be together.
He heard the sound of horses and then a carriage, he walked slowly towards the noise he didn’t dream that it would be the king’s carriage. They had only left the castle only three mornings ago, for him to return now they would have had to travel at night without stopping, it had taken him five days to get here. Walking back around the side of the castle towards the exit his mouth fell open as he saw the carriage, it was defiantly the royal carriage as it was the same one that Yori and Nino had used four years ago, the footman moved forward but he was too late and the door opened and a man stepped out. It was Nino he looked just the same as before, a little older but the same. Without thinking he stepped forwards the crunching of the gravel causing the king to turn his mouth falling open,
>Ohno?< Nino mouthed blinking wildly to make sure he wasn’t dreaming and Ohno gave a loud sigh of relief to see that he still remembered him. The expression on Nino’s face was a mixture of tears and happiness and, as silently as ever, he reached out his hands to him. Ohno moved forwards as if propelled by some unseen force, and pulled Nino to him forgetting that his was covered in dust, mud and sweat, and that the footman was still watching his mouth and eyes wide open with clear disbelief. His heart thumped as he felt his Nino sigh, his breath tickling softly against his neck just the way that it was so many years ago and it felt as if the four years that had separated them had dissolved to away and all Ohno could do was press the body into him and all he could think to say was;
“Welcome home”
TBC
A/N:First of June that means it's completed fic time :D I know that there will still be mistakes and I apologise but I have tried really hard to make it better for you and not importantly finish it :D so I hope that you enjoy!
Author: krystalkatz
Rating: G
Length: Chaptered
Genre: Historical Au, Romance,
Pairings: Ohno Satoshi/Ninomiya Kazunari
Disclaimer: I only own the plot
Nino woke slowly pushing away his dream of Ohno and sitting up in the bed to ring the bell beside the bed to let the servant know it was okay for them to enter. The heavy wooden door was pushed open slowly to reveal his advisor Sakurai and a maid carrying a silver tray with his breakfast on it. Nino gave a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes as he looked at the mound of food, he never had much of an appetite but he was always worried that his cook would be offended if it wasn’t finished, he held up one of the prewritten notes from beside the bed
>Thank-you, Mizuki< the maid smiled and gave a curtsy before leaving, he ate a few of the fruits slowly and drank some of the tea before pushing the tray in Sakurai’s direction, the advisor ate what was left of the breakfast while handing Nino some paperwork to sign. Nino let out a sigh, looking out of the window at the dull grey sky, it was four years since he had become King of Etherin, four years since his father had died, four years since he had seen Ohno in the flesh, but he still dreamt of him every night and thought about him when times were hard.
In his drawer were so many letters that he had written but he could never find the courage to send them. It was more for personal reasons than political but if somehow one of his letters went astray the implications would be immense. He knew Toma wrote to Yamapi every week and he couldn’t help but feel a little envious of them. He wrote the letters so that one day when Ohno did come he could show them to him, they were more like his journal than anything else.
“Your majesty, are you feeling okay?” Sakurai asked as he watched the king sigh again, Nino picked up his writing pad
>I’m fine, I was just thinking… Is Jun back yet?<
“No your majesty” Sakurai answered thoughtfully, he had long been suspicious of the King and knights relationship, it was his job to make sure things ran smoothly and a scandal like that was the last thing they needed at the moment. Nino pouted Jun had become almost like a brother to him over the years and he hated it when he was out of the castle,
>I see< he wrote and then read through the documents Sakurai had given him, signing them at the bottom, >Will you send Yori in?<
“Yes, sire” Sakurai bowed taking the paperwork, Nino frowned again, over the years Sakurai still remained a mystery, he refused to call him ‘Nino’ or anything that wasn’t respectful just as he refused to talk about anything personal. All that he really knew about the man was that he was that he was the only member of staff that didn’t live inside the castle grounds. Nino was getting dressed when his elderly knight, friend, and guardian came in. The man looked older everyday with hair that was almost completely silver now and so many wrinkles that his face sagged when he smiled as he was doing now.
“You wished to see me, sire?” He asked and Nino nodded picking up his notebook and writing purposely slowly digging the pencil into the page.
>Yes, I want to go to Rain farm<
“Your majesty?” Yori gasped sounding overly shocked and Nino could understand why, he had always refused going back to visit the farm knowing that the leaving would be more painful than he could bear. So he waited but he knew that with each passing day it was growing more and more painful to wait and his memories were becoming less like memories and more like dreams of what had happened.
>Please, it’s been Four years, I just want to see him again< Nino wrote quickly knowing that the old man wouldn’t refuse his request and sure enough Yori sighed running his fingers through his very grey hair saying softly;
“I will see what I can do your majesty”
>Thank-you!< Nino wrote happily underlining it a few times his face almost glowing with his happiness. Yori let out a laugh, glad that he could give his king that much happiness over only a few words. Nino had changed little physically since becoming king, but mentally and emotionally he was years older, matters of state kept him from sleep most nights and meetings throughout the day kept him from meeting with even the few friends that he had inside the castle and Yori suspected he needed some time to be himself again and seeing the younger farmer would restore him, he was sure of that.
For the first time in a long time Nino spent most of the day smiling happily and his smile only grew when Yori told him that they could go to Rain farm in two days.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ohno stared at the mound of earth, a storm of emotions churning in his stomach, tears he hadn’t been able to shed at the death were now following freely down his face. Four years had passed since Nino had left and it was a year since Kana had gotten ill instead of getting better had gotten steadily worse until a week ago she had passed away finally released from the torment her sickness caused throughout her body. There was only him and Yamapi at her funeral and if Yamapi hadn’t have stepped in she wouldn’t have even been able to have been buried within the temple walls. Still an outcast for accepting him when nobody else would. He sank to his knees his eyes burning and his heart heavy with grief wondering what he was going to do now. He remembered his last promise to Nino but how was he meant to keep it? It had been four years and there had been no contact what would he do if he turned up at the palace and Nino didn’t even remember it. Their sweet time together and the love that they had shared had been perfect, a dream almost one that kept him warm even during the harshest winter but there was no way he could just show up at the castle but if he did remember then that meant that Nino was expecting him.
“He would want you to go to him” Yamapi said as if reading his mind as he came to kneel beside him touching his shoulder. The farmer looked at him they had become close friend despite everything, the temple didn’t approve but Ohno suspected that they would have disproved of the letters that had been to Rain farm from Toma more. Ohno had no idea what kind of relationship the healer and the knight had but he always seemed to read the letters with a happy smile.
“So will you be going to the castle?” He asked and the priest spluttered for a moment looking more flustered than he had ever seen him as he gasped;
“Me?”
“I know Nino asked you to be his personal healer… You stayed because you were the only one that would treat my grandma while I was in the house…” Ohno murmured gratitude that he would never be able to put into words filling him as he thought about it and the priest hummed rubbing his chin.
“I was just thinking about that yesterday…” He admitted as they both bowed their heads at the grave and then walked away the rain cutting into the clothing they were wearing.
They didn’t speak more until they were back at the farm, Ohno was sat in Kana’s chair stroking her bag of wool lightly tears filling his eyes again. He had known for a long time that she was dying and he never expected for it to be this bad when she was gone. The farm, tiny though it was, felt huge and silent the floors thick with dust and grime that he could not get clean. So many happy years had been spent her but it felt as cold and as empty as a tomb. He wanted to see Nino so much it was like a physical ache in his chest, Yamapi patted his arm lightly murmuring that everything was going to be okay repeatedly.
“I think I will go to the castle, even if Nino has forgotten me…” He murmured when he had calmed down and the healer nodded
“Okay… I would travel with you but I am guessing you will be rushing off as soon as possible… I will meet you at the castle” He said and Ohno thanked him again as they both raised a glass of whiskey to the woman that had been more loving then almost all of the holy men.
The healer was right about him rushing off as soon as he could, there was nothing left for him to stay for any more and as soon as he packed a sack with food and clothes he locked the door on the cottage not knowing if he would ever return, even if Nino had forgotten him. He walked through the forest in the opposite direction from the village until he reached a dirt road that was well used by horses and carts. The rain had caused the dirt to become a thick type of mud that squelched and sucked at his feet and as he walked several carts passed close by him spraying mud and other things up over his clothes but none stopped until he had been working for almost a day.
“Need a lift, lad?” A kindly bright voice said and Ohno turned in amazement. His body was cold and sore and he longed to take up the offer but he was also aware that he was up to his knees in mud and the cart was more of a brightly painted caravan which told him quickly that they were a family of the wanderers. He had seen the wandering folk before but he had always been warned to stay away from him. His father had calmed that they would steal your wallet while seducing you blind. His father had said a lot of useless things though and it wasn’t through fear that he shook his head and gave a smile,
“Thank-you but no…I would not want to dirty your caravan…” Ohno stated and the man waved his hand in a flurry.
“A bit of mud never harmed anyone, climb aboard…” The man said kicking down a step for him “I’m Aiba Yuuki, a trader by practise…this is my wife and our boy’s Masaki and Yusuke” the trader said and Ohno smiled politely at the family as they were introduced.
“Um… Then thank-you for stopping” Ohno mumbled gratefully climbing up into the caravan and almost tumbling down with relief his legs starting to throb now that he had stopped walking.
“The road is long, more company the better as they say…” Yuuki said as he urged the horse onwards up the road thankfully in the direction that he wanted to be going in. “Where do you be traveling to?”
“The capitol… To the castle” Ohno answered slowly grateful that they had offered him a lift but he didn’t know how much he could explain. The children’s eyes were on him watching him closely with bright expectation in their eyes, something that only got brighter when they heard the word castle. Even the older boy who looked to be about the same age as Nino would be.
“Are you hoping to get work there?” Yuuki asked after letting out a loud whistle speeding up the horse.
“Y-yes I have a friend at the castle” he said wondering if it was improper to call the king ‘a friend’ but if that was the case most of their other activities would be called improper he thought, letting out a long sigh until he realised he was being stared at by a boy of about ten, he pulled a funny face causing him to laugh
“What does your friend do in the castle?” The older boy Masaki said with no small trace of excitement in his voice bouncing up and down on the seat that could easily be turned into a bed and Ohno hmm his head tilting to one side and giving a smile.
“They’re the king’s knights” He answered thinking about Nino and Jun, doubting they would believe him if he said ‘King’.
“King Kazunari’s knights?” The younger brothers eyes widened and he inched closer his older brother while he was still pulling faces at him
“We used to live in the palace… When the king was younger, have you ever met him? He was really cute…Shame that he couldn’t talk… And he had such a rotten father…”
“Masaki you shouldn’t talk ill of the dead…” His mother sighed and Ohno remembered vaguely that Nino had mentioned a friend once. A boy and his family that was thrown out because they were too close and his father didn’t like that. It these were Nino’s old friends then what were the chances of that happening? It was almost unbelievable. “You should get some rest now, Satoshi…”
“Thank-you…” Ohno smiled his head resting back against the wood of the caravan the swaying and the gentle sound of the horse’s hooves sending him into a peaceful sleep as he thought, it really is a small world while wondering if it was a sign.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ohno sighed happily as he soaked in the stream, having waited until everyone else had taken their turn, knowing that he had to be careful to keep his shirt on to hide the marks on his back but it felt good to wash some of the grime and mud away. He had been traveling with the Aiba’s for three days and he found that he rather liked them. Yuuki was a man that seemed to have a heart as warm as the sun, he didn’t have much but what he had he shared with a smile, his sons was just as giving and from Masaki he learnt a lot of cute stories about him and Nino when his silent prince was a tiny boy. Ren was a lovely woman, though she seemed to be firmer than her gentle husband. With waist length black hair that was always dressed up with flowers and other pretty things her sons would gather for her.
Humming lightly to himself Ohno climbed out of the stream, looking around hesitantly before pulling off his shirt and pulling on a clean one that Ren had made for him out of one of Masaki’s old ones. He thought that he had gotten away with it, until much later that night when people were getting into bed. He had stayed up with Yuuki and was just about to turn in when there was a ruckus.
“You should no longer travel with him” A burly man said storming over to the tradesman’s caravan pointing wildly at Ohno with a fat and heavily scarred finger and Yuuki turned to look at him with a glare but Ohno realised what it meant and his heart sank like a stone to the bottom of his stomach knowing that his happy respite with the Aiba’s was coming to an end.
“You saw my scars” he whispered, wondering how much he had seen and how much he knew about the different scars. None of them were good but there were dozens of the little connecting marks each one a silvery white lines burnt into the flesh of each of the churches victims.
“Yes… Do you not deny that you were punished by the temple for acts against the gods?” The stranger said disgust and contempt ringing with each word.
“I cannot deny that that I was punished” Ohno admitted hanging his head praying that Yusuke and Masaki were asleep, they had been sharing a bed they did not need to know that he was an unnatural beast. He hoped Yuuki would tell them something different when they realised that he wasn’t with them tomorrow.
“Forgive me sir, but what right do you have to say who I should not travel with?” Yuuki asked slowly, with none of his normal sing song brightness. He was a tall man not very wide but thin well trained muscles could be seen through his shirt and when he stepped forwards the burly man took a step back even as his own muscles clenched tightly grunting out;
“I thought only for the safety of your children…”
“Oh is that right? The safety of my children, well I am grateful that you care for the safety of my children but the lad has travelled with us for many miles and I have not once felt the safety of my children was at risk, I don’t know that acts that caused the temples to mark, the lad nor do you…”
“He has lain with another of his own sex” The burly man snapped showing off a mouth full of rotten black teeth and Ohno froze guessing that the man had read his marks clearly. He had been surprised that Yuuki had been defending him until now but he knew that there was no way even someone as amazingly friendly as Yuuki was, would understand that act.
“Is this true?” Yuuki asked in a soft voice looking at him and Ohno felt his cheeks flush and his eyes burn as he nodded his head unable to do anything other than nod in agreement as he whispered in a very small voice;
“Y-yes”
“Did you force yourself on him? Was he only a child that didn’t understand…?”
“No!” Ohno snapped hotly repulsed by the idea, memories of Nino, silently moaning with happiness circling his mind “I love him and he loves me”
“I see, in the same way that I love my wife?” Yuuki gave a half smile and Ohno tried to understand what was going on, this wasn’t the normal questions he was asked when he was found out. In fact there was never any questions he was just shunned immediately at best or at worst rocks were thrown at him.
“I guess…”
“Then I don’t see how my children will be at risk…” Yuuki said looking over to where his sons were meant to be to sleeping. Nervously Ohno followed his gaze and saw that Masaki was awake and looking at them with a shocked expression on his face. He wasn’t much younger than him about the same age as Nino so he wasn’t a child and it was clear that he could understand what was being said, but like his father there was no hate in his face and Ohno was positive that he gave a flash of a smile
“He will corrupt them”
“I may be a simple tradesman, and it is true that I do not understand why one man may turn to another man for love or… Other things, but as long as it’s two consenting parties I don’t see what business it is what goes on behind closed doors…As for corrupting and the like… He is no plague nor carries no sickness, he cannot corrupt” Yuuki said turning away from the burly simpleton now he rested his fatherly hand on Ohno’s shoulder, “Take no notice of his words, you’re free to stay with us until we arrive at the capitol…”
“I-I didn’t think you were going that far…” Ohno gasped feeling the weight and the heat of his hand through his shirt and he could feel the painful sting of tears forming in his eyes.
“Yes, well I want to see that you arrive in one piece to see your friends again and I’m sure we would get more business in the main town anyway, maybe your friends would buy some of our goods” Yuuki smiled squeezing his shoulder as gently as he would any of his sons.
“T-thank-you” Ohno whispered emotions choking his voice, never would he have expected someone to defend him in that way. Well his grandmother had but he had always assumed that she was one in a million.
“Don’t mention it” Yuuki mumbled as he watched the man stalk away muttering angrily to himself.
“I’ll sleep out here…” Ohno offered still unsure how to act, his whole village had turned against him when they had learnt the truth but an almost stranger had defended him.
“Nonsense… You’ll freeze… You shall sleep where you’ve been sleeping…” The older man said pushing him towards the caravan where Masaki and Yusuke were and Ohno swallowed shaking his head and pulling away from the hand muttering;
“I wouldn’t want any of you to feel uncomfortable…”
“Nonsense, I like women, that doesn’t mean I’m going to force myself on any girl I happen to cast my eye on… I’m thinking it is the same for you lad… And my boys don’t mind sharing do you lads?” Yuuki asked and both boys sat up shaking their heads and smiling.
“No…He doesn’t snore like Yusuke does”
“I don’t snore! You snore! But it’s warmer with him…” Yusuke bit back sleepily and Masaki held up the blanket for him. Ohno tried to ignore the emotions building inside of him but he couldn’t help the happy tears forming in his eyes.
The rest of the trip was uneventful and they reached the capital city just as the sky was going dark and Ohno could only see the pure black outline of the castle sitting on top of a hill and that was enough to make him and gulped, wondering if he was really going to have the courage to go there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nino was silently buzzing with excitement, his eyes continuously looking out of the window hoping and praying that he would reach Rain Farm soon. Sakurai was sitting across from looking mildly disapproving but he had reluctantly accepted that the king needed this. These four years had been hard, those loyal to the old king had resisted the changes his ‘weak’ son was doing. Most weren’t quiet about it either and had tried… Were still trying to gain support to hand the country to Nino’s cousin. The common folk loved their king though, stating he was firm but fair and so far none of them had acted against him and Sakurai had grown to respect him over the years.
The carriage rolled into Rain farm and almost before it had stopped Nino was trying to open the door and get out ignoring the protests from Sakurai who was trying to hold him down. All resistance became futile when the carriage came to a complete stop and he threw open the door. He jumped down into the muddy courtyard and without realising anything was wrong he ran to the little door and knocked loudly, wishing that he could shout or something. He looked around the farm smiling happily as memories flared up inside his mind. Happy sweet memories and he longed to see Ohno walking towards him from the top field with a smile and mud on his face. He knocked again more urgently and when there was no answer he really started pay attention and a nervous sickly knot formed in his chest wondering what was going on and where Ohno was.
“There’s nobody here, Nino” Toma told him with a frown on his handsome face coming back from the barns “No livestock, no nothing…”
>Did Yamashita mention anything?< Nino wrote quickly, ignoring the sickness that was in his heart. He doubted if the healer and knight spoke of them in their messages but there was a chance they had mentioned something about what was happening here. Toma nodded slowly his hand running through his hair as he swallowed his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down and Nino knew that there was something that he had been hiding.
“He… A few months ago he told me that Kana was sick… Very sick, they’d had to get rid of most of the animals to pay for her medicines…”
>Why didn’t you tell me?< Nino asked his hand trembling as it moved over the paper almost snapping the lead in half as his fingers trembling unable to believe that he hadn’t known.
“Ohno, he asked us not to tell you, he didn’t want you to worry…You have been through so much these past few years, king…”
>He didn’t want me to interfere< Nino wrote looking around the deserted farm finding it hard to believe that this was the same place from his memories as he could finally see the changes and wasn’t looking with the eyes of his youth. Everything was over grown or broken down looking in such a state that it was impossible to believe that his memories hadn’t been just a figment of his imagination. But it was real, this had been the place he had had so much fun, and had felt so loved and safe here.
“Your majesty, maybe we should go to Matsumoto hall?” Sakurai suggested softly coming to place a hand on his elbow and very reluctantly Nino nodded taking one last look at the lifeless cottage before climbing back into the carriage.
“I’m going to go see if Yamapi knows what’s going on” Toma shouted as he jumped up on his grey and riding quickly away dirt flying out beside him.
*~*~*~*~*
Matsumoto hall wasn’t the ideal place for them to go but his own cottage would be too damp and dusty without a good airing and they had arranged to meet up with Jun there. His friend was pacing backwards and forwards outside of the large house and Nino was happy to see him even if his heart was breaking that he had missed Ohno.
“Nino” Jun muttered torn between smiling politely and pulling him into a hug when he saw the heartbroken face of his prince turned king. The years had been good to the Knight who had finally grown into his appearance making him one of the most sought after knights in the palace but he still only had eyes for his king even though he knew that he would never stand a chance. Right now he cursed the farmer in his mind as he whispered “You went to Rain farm?”
>Yes< Nino wrote slowly allowing himself to be pushed down into gold leaf chair beside the fire >Did you know about it?<
“I knew Kana was sick, but I didn’t know that he was leaving” The knight told him softly sitting down in a matching chair. “I only got here myself this morning, I went to visit him but I found it empty and there was no time to send you a message…I’m sorry…”
>Its not your fault, Jun, I didn’t even know Kana was sick< The king wrote sadly wishing that somebody had told him so that he could have come to visit her before the end. She had been so nice and gentle that he would have loved to have spent time in her kitchen again.
“It was Ohno, he didn’t want to worry you… That’s all” The knight told him and with a sigh Nino gave a small nod. He knew that that would be the truth, and he should have known that the farmer wouldn’t have wanted to upset him but he couldn’t help but be upset that Ohno had had to go through losing his beloved grandma alone. He watched the flames flicker and pop within the fire for a moment and then he let out a silent sigh wishing that he had made his decision to come earlier. The door was thrown open with a loud clatter that shocked a couple of footmen and Toma strode into the room followed closely by the healer. Nino gave the flushed and panting man a smile even as he fell down onto his knees in front of him.
“Your majesty” Yamapi said as he grabbed a hold of his hand and squeezed it tightly kissing the ring Nino was forced to wear on his finger before he managed to tug his hand away. “You must have missed each other on the road, Ohno left for the castle a few days ago…”
Wishing he had the ability to shout out his frustration Nino’s pen moved furiously over his notepad and the group watched in silence even though they all knew what he was going to ask they waited until he had finished and held up the pad.
>When can we go back?<
“I would suggest we spend the night here but I can’t picture his majesty sitting still for that long” Toma teased lightly his hand falling casually down onto Yamapi’s shoulder his fingertips brushing over his neck lightly as Nino nodded beaming with happiness while Jun sighed shaking his head a little before saying;
“Well then, we should have food and change the horses at least before we head back”
Nino’s face was almost enough to eclipse the sun as they all agreed and every single man in the room knew that they were doing the right thing. None of them had seen him smile that wide since he had last been a Rain farm and it wasn’t only Nino that could hardly sit still as they ate and fresh horses were prepared. Nino paid no attention to the conversation and was impatient to be off that he was only just aware that Toma and Yamapi had left at some point during the evening and they only returned just as the groom announced that the carriage was ready. As soon as Yamapi’s few belongings were placed with Nino’s they were once again racing through the countryside, the king silently praying that they wouldn’t miss each other again.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Yuuki and his family had set up their stall in the market and told him that they would be there for at least three days and if his friends were unable to help there was always room for him in their caravan. It was a kind offer but one that Ohno hoped that he wouldn’t be have to take them up on. Nervous still causing his stomach to jump and roll around Ohno stared at the castle wondering if he was mad for even being here. It wasn’t like he could just knock on the door and ask to see the king. He hadn’t even told anybody that he was coming, Yamapi might have told Toma but four years and not one letter had been exchanged between him and the king. Matsu and Toma had visited him from time to time but other than that there was no contact and neither of them brought messages from Nino. He had heard gossip about the new king over the years, but most of the stories had come recently from Yuuki, who seemed to be amazingly well informed for a simple tradesman. Yuuki said he was a good king nothing like his father, people were worried though about the tensions with the other kingdoms were causing more than a little worry, more so since Ryuu had become king of Airith a year ago. Ohno had to force himself not to growl at the mention of Ryuu remembering what he had done to Nino. A man like that had no right to be in charge of people’s lives. The farmer found it disgusting that some people actually thought that he would make a better king than Nino, who had already brought about so many changes for the better.
“Are you going to the castle?” Yuuki asked him softly coming up to his side and Ohno shrugged unable to keep his fear from his face or voice and the older man gave him a smile squeezing his arm gently.
“I don’t know… Now that I’ve seen it…” Ohno let his voice trail off his whole body doing a shrug and a tremble running through him wondering why it felt so scary to look at a stone building. Yuuki gave a smile and Ohno was sure that he could see his own fear reflected in his gentle eyes
“It looks scary, ne?” The trader said motioning to the big black castle that over shadowed the town. It was very imposing and Ohno found it hard to believe that his sweet and gentle Nino had been brought up in such a place. It didn’t seem possible “The old king’s father made it look like that… And then Nino’s father kept it…But it’s just a building…Bricks and mortar nothing more…You’re friends are inside ne?”
“I hope so…” Ohno answered turning to look at the castle again flinching when Yuuki smacked him hard on the shoulder and knocking him forward so that he stumbled on the stones.
“Well… You won’t find out standing around here...As I’ve said if things don’t turn out the way you planned there’s a place for you here…”
“You’ve been very kind, thank-you for everything you’ve done... I know I don’t deserve…” Ohno stammered starting to bow his head when Yuuki held up his hand, stopping him quickly in the middle of his little speech,
“Lad, I’ve told you them scars don’t mean nothing… The gods don’t make mistakes as they say… But people do… And I reckon those that gave you those scars made a mistake… The one you love… They’re up there in that castle, ne?”
“I… Yes” Ohno answered his cheeks brightly wondering if he could really say that when he hadn’t even seen Nino in four years.
“Then lad I think that they’d be happy to see you…You shouldn’t keep them waiting…” Yuuki smiled almost pushing him in the direction of the castle “Go before I send one of my boys with you…”
Ohno gave a laugh and very slowly made his way up the hill his nervous growing with each step marvelling at the numerous moats and draw bridges that had been cut deep into the earth, the castle seemed almost impossible to penetrate from the outside and the closer he got the more he realised that the castle was another mini-town and it appeared that if it was taken the occupants would be able to survive for many months if not a year on just the supplies inside. When he finally arrived at the central part of the castle he looked around feeling even more lost than he had before.
“May I help you sir?” The footman said looking him over with a raised eye brow, as if he was something unpleasant.
“I-I… Um…” Ohno said suddenly forgetting how to speak for a moment as he stared at the expensive uniform that the footman was wearing.
“Tradesmen are to use the servant’s entrance at the back…” the manservant said as impolitely as possible and without protest Ohno gave a quick nod and walked over the crunchy gravel path until he found a smaller door that was open to a bright white passage way, there was nobody about so Ohno nervously walked down it and found himself in an amazing smelling kitchen, there were two amply proportioned women, a younger prettier one and a few maids hurrying around none of them seemed to notice him until what looked like an upstairs maid called out to him
“Is there something, you need sir?” she said her accent sounding a lot like his grandmother almost immediately he felt his heart relax glad that she hadn’t given him the same reaction as the footman had and he smiled saying softly;
“I’m looking for Ikuta Toma… The knight”
“If you’re looking for a knight you’re in the wrong place, love” One of the older ladies said with a cheerful smile,
“The knight Toma isn’t in the castle” The younger pretty one that reminded him of his grandma said gently and Ohno’s heart sank a little his last hope snapping as he wished he had the courage to ask for the king and all he could manage to say was a very disappointed;
“He isn’t?”
“No, he left with the king three mornings ago”
“Nino… The king isn’t here either?” He whispered not knowing what to do now there had never been much of a plan in the first place. Nino was the ruler of the entire country of course he wouldn’t be here. “Um…Do you know when they’ll be back?”
“The King went to visit his friend in the country…” One of the maids put in and Ohno was very tempted to sink to the floor and hold his head his hands and cry again wondering if it was possible that he and Nino had missed each other or if that was just wishful thinking as he asked;
“The country?”
“Yes, Matsumoto Jun, he was away in the south and the king went to meet him…I’m Maggie” She said with the same friendly smile that she had been using since he had arrived “I’m the main cook here”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Ohno Satoshi” He said quickly dropping his head with a bow and the woman waved him away flicking out a tea towel at him asking;
“So you’re a friend of our cheeky Toma’s?”
“Sort of yes” He nodded and Maggie gave him another bright smile motioning to come and sit down in one of the roughly cut but comfort chairs and picking up a large glass and placing it down in front of him.
“Would you like a drink? I’ll send a boy to fetch, Yori… Maybe he’ll be able to help…”
“Yes please and thank-you very much” Ohno said happy that at least Yori was still here maybe he would be able to get some answers where Nino would be and he smiled gratefully as he was given a large mug of frothy beer.
To say the knight was surprised when he received the message was an understatement and he immediately stopped what he was doing and ran to the kitchens staring at the young farmer in wide eyed disbelief. Ohno turned and gave a smile a foam moustache settling on his top lip.
“Satoshi, this is an unexpected surprise” Yori said recollecting himself as he gave a small smile though his eyes became troubled “His majesty is away… He is with Matsumoto…” There were a few murmurs when it became obvious that the farmer was here to see the king. Ohno gave a small blush, looking at the stone floor, “I’m sure they’ll return soon though once his majesty… He has missed you a lot” The old knight told and Ohno was aware that the buzzing had gotten louder but he didn’t care, his mind settling with the knowledge that Nino had missed him. Missed him enough to go and see him “You were such a friend to him four years ago…I will arrange a room for you…”
“Ah… It’s okay… I’m staying with some traders in town… Aiba Yuuki…” He said his tongue becoming unstuck from the roof of his mouth.
“Aiba?” Yori said and Ohno wasn’t as surprised as he should be by the fact that the Knight knew his travelling companion “I see then perhaps you should tell them to bring themselves to the castle…”
“I will…” The farmer nodded slowly, getting to his feet and bowing again. The buzz in the kitchen was becoming more than he could bear and after thanking Maggie and the he left the kitchen, not knowing what to do. There hadn’t been much of a plan in the first place, as he came out his breath caught as he saw the view, the clouds had lifted revealing rolling hills valleys, streams and rivers.
Nino ruled everything as far as he could see and he was a nothing, he didn’t even have the farm anymore the land it stood on belonged to the Matsumoto’s and the death of his grandma the lease had been dissolved. He was sure that Jun would resign it over to him he couldn’t bear the thought of living in that cottage by himself but he was wrong to come here, he knew that, the reports along the road had told him that the kingdom was preparing for war the last thing that Nino needed was him to come in and complicate things. Nino had been to visit him but they had missed each other, and that had to be a sign that they weren’t meant to be together.
He heard the sound of horses and then a carriage, he walked slowly towards the noise he didn’t dream that it would be the king’s carriage. They had only left the castle only three mornings ago, for him to return now they would have had to travel at night without stopping, it had taken him five days to get here. Walking back around the side of the castle towards the exit his mouth fell open as he saw the carriage, it was defiantly the royal carriage as it was the same one that Yori and Nino had used four years ago, the footman moved forward but he was too late and the door opened and a man stepped out. It was Nino he looked just the same as before, a little older but the same. Without thinking he stepped forwards the crunching of the gravel causing the king to turn his mouth falling open,
>Ohno?< Nino mouthed blinking wildly to make sure he wasn’t dreaming and Ohno gave a loud sigh of relief to see that he still remembered him. The expression on Nino’s face was a mixture of tears and happiness and, as silently as ever, he reached out his hands to him. Ohno moved forwards as if propelled by some unseen force, and pulled Nino to him forgetting that his was covered in dust, mud and sweat, and that the footman was still watching his mouth and eyes wide open with clear disbelief. His heart thumped as he felt his Nino sigh, his breath tickling softly against his neck just the way that it was so many years ago and it felt as if the four years that had separated them had dissolved to away and all Ohno could do was press the body into him and all he could think to say was;
“Welcome home”
TBC
A/N:First of June that means it's completed fic time :D I know that there will still be mistakes and I apologise but I have tried really hard to make it better for you and not importantly finish it :D so I hope that you enjoy!
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Date: 2014-06-01 11:20 am (UTC)I really love this sweet (and sad) story ~
In a way I will be sad when this story will finish.. xD
The month of June will not be that bad after all.. Thanks to you !
XOXO
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Date: 2014-06-01 12:38 pm (UTC)You know how I loved "The Silent Prince", I always wondered how would they make their love happen!
Happy!!!!
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Date: 2014-06-01 01:01 pm (UTC)awesome! I'm so happy :DDD
I' m loving it... Thank you Krys <3
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Date: 2014-06-01 04:02 pm (UTC)Love this series..love mute nino here (love his real talkactive part but change one in a while wouldn't hurt anyone..xixixi)..
Thanks you so much for continuing this..<3
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Date: 2014-06-01 04:41 pm (UTC)I liked to read!!! thank you!!!
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Date: 2014-06-02 01:31 am (UTC)This is one of the stories that I've re-read many time. I love shy Nino and Ohmiya relationship here is so touching.
I thought the one you wrote before was amazing, but this edited version is even more perfect. I love how you portrait the characters more deeply (especially Sho and Aiba's family) and there are more details in the story.
When read the part about Sho ate Nino's leftover food, somehow I think about Sho-kun in real life with his love for food Lol
I'm glad that there are more Tomapi moments. They are one of my favorite couples XD
Although I already read the old version, I really can't wait to read about their touching reunion (hopefully tomorrow?) :D
Thanks for sharing! ^^
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Date: 2014-06-02 02:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-06-02 09:00 am (UTC)I am looking forward to this one. ^^