![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Touching the Viking - KuroFai Harlequin 15 (i/v)
Authors note: Um... hope you like? Will update when I am able to write it more accurate to the Time Frame.
Fai leaned steadily on the lee of his ship, the salt air nipping the blonde man’s face beneath his fur-lined robes, the blue gemstones in his long blonde hair glistening in the barely there light, shining agreeably. He and his ‘crew’ were bounding forward, the currently heavy fog not even deterring travel. Sakura stood behind him, jaded eyes gazing at the back of the other from under a mop of brown hair and a horned helm. Beneath them, were two ‘guests’: men with brown hair and black hair; brown eyes and red eyes.
“Mother…” the child spoke.
Fai turned and smiled at the other. “Yes, my daughter?”
“They feel familiar. Does Mother know of their origins?”
Fai smiled, “When we dock at the alcove, we’ll have to restrain the Father until we have a chance to speak.” The poor child was already gender confused as it was. It did not help that her Mother used she to say Father, and he to say Mother(1).
It was sometime the next day, Syaoran surmised as he was shivering in the room, what classified as a room – it was more of a cell; barred windows, locked door, there was absolutely no furniture, and while Syaoran wrapped his shackled arms together, to try and keep warmer, the air was frigid. A lot colder than he remembered, they were at some elevation higher than before as the air was thinner. One of the blankets that was the only other thing in the room at the time was wrapped as a shawl over his shoulders. Kurogane, on the other hand, summoned his strength, jerked harshly on now-taut chains. While Syaoran was only wearing a pair of shackles, cuffing his wrists together,he was actually shackled to the wall, their blades removed from person and nowhere in sight. Soon, the door opened seamlessly quiet and the master called to them. Kurogane had been busy fighting his own restraints that the other’s voice spooked him a bit at first as he had not heard the other come in, nor see the door move. “Heilir(2).” The voice was soft, and bright. Cheerful. Kurogane stopped his struggles and faced the other. Blue eyes, like bright gems, gazed at him, from under wispy blonde bangs, the ornamental headpiece Fai wore bringing out Fai’s eye’s color more. At his hip was a knife; Kurogane thought it looked more like some over glorified letter opener. Syaoran stayed put, near his father’s side.
“What do you want, Witch?”
“You ha’e nice eyes.”
Kurogane looked at the other. “What does my eyes ha’e to do with this?” And at this, he jerked harshly against the chains that bound his wrists.
“That is because you resisted. We simply had to knock you out, and restrain you. You wouldn’t listen to us.”
Kurogane slumped his shoulders some, one hand reaching toward his head, as he remembered that painful headache he’d awoken with and had assumed it’d been this person’s doing. In a way, he wasn’t too far off. The daughter walked in behind the blonde, eyes a bright green, and under that horned helm she wore, her hair was a sweaty mop of light brown.
“They’re both men, Mother.” Sakura spoke, speaking quietly in a disbelievingly voice, before whispering. “I thought you said he be a girl.”
“Is there something wrong with what we are?” Kurogane asks, staring into green eyes. Her eyes looked just like her… wait, did she just say ‘Mother’? The blonde … was a woman? Looking closer, the blonde did appear to be wearing a breast plate beneath the thick white seal fur coat. He was sure he was flat-chested before when he was… when they were…oh, crap, the headache was back to full attention. Struggling against the chains had been a good distraction, but now his head was throbbing more than before.
“Yes, Sakura… they are men. It’ll be alright, though.” The leader spoke, and while directed toward the female, it sounded softer, kinder, sweet and feminine. “Sakura, my daughter. Please fetch one of the medical chests from downstairs.”
“Yes, Mother.” She gave one last appraising glare at the two, looking them up and down a few times, before turning to leave.
“Oi~ What was she getting at?” Kurogane asked. “Is there something wrong with our being men?”
Fai turned towards the prisoners, wearing a strange grin. “As it twere.”
“As it twere… What?” Kurogane looked at the other confused, and a bit irritated. Great, raising his voice only made the headache ache more.
“Well, there is this. Also, Syaoran, your son and you are the only two that survived from Suwa lands. They are now a fiery grave from the sea. You can thank us for saving your lives from the Dragon, Black Wings.”
Wait, how did this … Kurogane supposed woman would be fair after that exchange, how did she know Syaoran’s name and that Syaoran was his son? He tried to recall the last things that happened.
Then it began to occur to him. He was in his home he had used as a temporary escape from the Suwa mansion that belonged to his parents, to his family, before practically making that his permanent residence when his parents were killed by the black demons(3) and later, the wife and child came along. Then, Tomoyo, his wife had gotten ill, died thanks to the same black demons. That had been two of the worst weeks of their life. It was during the summer a year later, and the people had been just getting back on their feet, when Vikings had attacked. They’d attacked and stolen a lot of the women from the village. Many of the men fought them but could not compare to the assault from the Vikings.Kurogane had stayed with Syaoran at the time, ready to guard him with his life. That was two years ago. This year, it was a fortnight after the Ides of March when it happened. There was a ship spotted, paused outside of their village two days before. A Viking ship by the Dragon neck and the curvy spine of the ship. An alarm was put out, but no one had been hurt yet, nothing had been damaged, no Viking had come and attacked them. And the day passed. Still nothing, and the ship remained stilled. Tomorrow was Syaoran’s birthday, and Kurogane tookthe risk, and ventured to market, keeping Syaoran close with him, Souhi at his hip, and Hien at his son’s hip. However, it was at market, where he met the two strangers. The first person had to be almost as tall as he was, but the man, he assumed it was a man, was wearing a traveler’s cloak pulled tightly around his face and covering his entire frame, hunched over, and leaning on something. Underneath the edges of his own and under another, was another person wrapped in a smaller traveler’s cloak, hood pulled up as well. The taller one was wearing a bow and arrow set over his back, while the other didn’t seem to be wielding anything, unless a black skillet counted. He would later learn, yes. The skillet served as a weapon.
And here, I thought I was living simply, Kurogane had thought then. The pair didn’t seem to be carrying much else, as the two wandered the market, looking around. “You promised.” It came from the child, a young female’s voice. It was distant, unattached from the words. The other turned around, and Kurogane saw a flash of blue eyes, peeking under the cloak, meeting his, before lowering to Syaoran, who was standing at his side and returned to red eyes. The person smiled, eyes glinting, turning to the girl. “I promised.” His voice reminded Kurogane of a reed instrument, like a soft boy’s voice that hadn’t aged, although he was sure the man was of age. He leaned down and whispered in the girl’s ear.
“You will not find it here,” the girl replied, a small pout to her cherub features, to whatever the other said, scowling at the taller companion,and he smiled more. The taller patted her head before the two walked away, and Kurogane wondered what that was all about, but did not press it further, as he didn’t think to press it further. It wasn’t his business.
That afternoon, he began chopping firewood for the two of them. He swung the axe down hard on the wood piece, cutting it in half. Move cut wood. Place needs-to-be-cut log where just-made firewood just was. Swing down on it, and repeat. Between the late march humidity and the work, Kurogane grew hot from the exercise, and wiped his brow a few times between every few logs or so, until he had a good stack of wood, then stacked it up into the woodshed just outside the lodging. When he was done, he set the axe down on the cutting stump, and leaned on it lightly as he observed the sea between the patch of trees. From his place, he had a sectioned-off view of the sea, when it was not a foggy day out. It was a small place, that with how the trees remained, it framed a semi-circle view of the waters. He looked there for a little while before returning to work, cutting up wood.
Sakura was playing on the edge of the cliff, Fai behind her, seeming to be spying the sea with his hands, and no prop as he watched over the female. She seemed to be having some fun, playing in what sand was there. There was an innocence about her as she fooled around quietly. After a few minutes, Fai turned around, noticing the light pathway the trees made towards the sea, and blinked lightly as he stared at the muscular man from before. Sweat glistening off tanned skin, red eyes gazing and focused, the black tabard that he wore offered to keep his skin dry, but the early season fog still was chilling. Power was strung high in powerful, stocked muscles, axe in a hand, a thwunk later wood split perfectly, while there was a sword at his hip. Long sword with a deep blue sheath. Fai began to watch the other, staring intensely at the figure, admiring his body, the power of it, the beauty of it, the size of it.
Kurogane thought for a minute he could feel someone watching him. He turned up from his work, and he looked around, but saw no one nearby. He looked about, but apparently the only person he could hear was Syaoran. Letting out a low growl, Kurogane let the axe rest, swinging it down on the wood stump, the blade caught in the wood, before gathering what wood was nearby in his arms, and walked over towards the back of the wood pile, where his son was practicing his swinging. Not with Hien, but a practice sword. Kurogane strode over and watched his son practice, placing the wood in the pile neatly. The boy had a lack of depth perception, as when he was born, he could not see out of his right eye, but he had a built up chi in his body, that was to some considered magical. Witchcraft, even. Syaoran had this natural affinity to fire, but from his lack of perception, occasionally he would burn himself or get injured. He, himself, had a chi built up, with a natural affinity to water. But there didn’t seem to be much use for it. It oft proved to be more harmful than good. The other villagers would castrate them should they know. One reason they lived further from the village. When his wife was alive, she too, seemed to have a gift, but hers had been visions. Knowing what was to come.She must have known, too, that this day would come. But he would not know, for the demons have stolen her away.
Later that night…Kurogane and Syaoran were busy cooking where knocking came upon the door. Turning, Kurogane put down the grinder he was using to grind the flour, grabbing his sword before approaching and opening the door. Behind it was that same couple from earlier that day. However, the taller was no longer wearing the traveling cloak over his head. On top of his head was some flashy ornamental piecewith blue gemstones dangling in wispy blonde bangs and equally blonde hair that was so long, much of it was hidden by the cloak, tucked away. The she-child(4) was wearing her hood down as well, but had no such flamboyance about her, subtle and easy to blend in, but still wielding the skillet.
The man from before looked about in a wary way, before looking directly at Kurogane, and smiling. “Heill…!” the tall one said brightfully.
“What do you want?” Kurogane’s usual antisocial disposition was well known around town, but this man and the she-child obvious were not from town.
“I have come to deliver you to safety. Make haste, and depart away, for soon these lands become a red sea, and blood shall come from once the living.”
Kurogane looked at the stranger, as he seemed way too cheerful as he sounded like some harbinger.
“What would you know about it?” Kurogane glared at the other. Unlike most of the villagers, he knew and believed in the power of foresight,and that there was a Guardian to his land; he also knew there were also those who would pull wool and those who bring that prospect with them.
“At the cove bears the Dragon, Black Wings. And in Cero’s(5) name, to set fire and stones to Suwa in the nigh of the night, annihilating her peoples entirely.”
“And how do you know that? Are you leader of Dragon?”
“And if I was?”
The Viking didn’t seem to be expecting it, but that eerie grin and those cold sapphires, and the Viking dodged at a hair’s breadth. Kurogane had been half expecting some counterattack from the Viking, some retaliation, block, something, from nearly being cut down by Souhi as he drew her on the other, but the other merely had backed out of harm’s way.
“I kill you before you try.”
Fai was still smiling. “Try it.” He quietly uttered, “… and may the Gods have mercy on our souls.”
Kurogane slashed at the other once more, and again Fai held a narrow margin between blade and flesh. Attacking more, the other alwayskeeping just out of reach at the last second. The other was fast, fast enough to keep up with him, and flexible, when things got a little too close, the Viking could just twist or spin and contort out of harm’s way. After that, then things began to get blurry. A sharp shooting pang hit him in the back of the head, and as he turned to see what it was, the Viking that had just casually, cheerfully announced that Suwa’s people were about to die, the same one who he infuriating couldn’t even knick, was staring at Syaoran, having come out, hearing a commotion. And after that…things became a little too blurry, too fast… to remember exactly how things went, but he knew he definitely didn’t go down without a fight, protecting his son, and protecting his people from the Sea-Demons…
Kurogane’s shoulders fell, and he would have sat down, but the cuffs prevented him from going any lower than a kneel, and he would not look so crestfallen to a Witch. “So what now,Witch?”
“That depends on you two.”
“All I really care about is my son’s safety and weal.” Kurogane spoke like a true father.
The Fai character grinned, “Then I suggest joining our little ‘family’. Currently, there are those out there that will hunt you down, like you are animal. Feiwan of the Dragon, Black Wings is one such. If you are amongst us, he will not find you. But if you leave, he will be able to find you, he will hunt the both of you down, and he will kill you both.”
Kurogane gritted his teeth, clenched his hands tightly. Several moments passed; several thought came and went. He let out a single breath before he answered. “You swear…? You swear nought to harm my son? That Syaoran will be given safety, warmth and weal?”
“Upon my name, I swear it, that your …” and at this, the heavily robed Viking turned to look at Syaoran, idly pushing blonde behind an ear, before he continued. “…Syaoran will receive not harm from our people and be well cared for under my jurisdiction.” Fai spoke steadily, “That is, if he consents to being a part of my little family. Although, you would become personally mine. Since you’ve said it; you only care for your son’s safety and weal, so then you will forfeit your body, your life to me in exchange, as the price, but should you be able to defeat me after agreeing upon, then this aspect of the contract would be valued null and you would no longer be indentured to myself. However, it would bear no weight on your son’s safety or weal while he is with us. ”
Kurogane could not believe the woman before him. Syaoran reached out for his father, and Kurogane turned to face his son, red eyes meeting brown. Syaoran grew still and silent. Kurogane did not like this, but the mercenary was right. If the words of her could be trusted,without her assistance and favor, he could not keep his son safe. Heck, essentially, they already were at the mercenary’s, well, mercy, his son’s life was very much in her hands. He could fight and possibly kill the other; he’d been fighting off the Viking threats for a long time now. He could not, would not risk his son’s safety, however, even if that meant giving into the other. Syaoran bowed his head, “Alright.”
Kurogane grit his teeth harshly, a fierce glare at the blonde before he spoke again. “It… seems we ha’e no choice but to accept.”
Fai made a small nod, chin resting upon back of long fingers. “Wunderbar.”
Kurogane clenched his hand, but said nothing. The devil spoke something in a foreign language something he did not know, but had a clue to its meaning. The smug smirk on the person’s face, the pleased almost purr in the Devil’s voice. Whatever word it was, the Viking was pleased with the results, perhaps expecting them.
“After we examine your health, your son will be escorted by my lovely daughter. Under me, my daughter has the highest command.”
The girl from before, clad in breastplate armor, silken cloth and a helm that looked a little too big for her walked up behind Fai. “I ha’e returned, Mother.” She stood behind Fai with a chest of medicines.
“Ah, Sakura, my daughter, there you are. Wunderbar. I’ve just talked with these … men, and have negotiated their terms of being with us.” Walking behind her, and placing bony hands on her shoulders, the mercenary smiles, “Play nice with the kid. He’s going to be a part of our family from now on.”
The girl’s eyes go wide, as her hands go to cover her mouth, before turning on her mother, “Oh, Mother…” she says in a soft, almost happy voice.
“Happy Day of Births, Sakura.” Fai reached for a hand and kissed the back of Sakura’s hand.
Fai then led Sakura out of the room, leaving Syaoran and Kurogane alone for a couple of minutes again. Fai shut the door behind them. The door was a simple wooden door with a simple handle. Kurogane could not understand what was said, but heard light chatter on the otherside of the door, before the echo of footsteps and then nothing for a while.
“Why didn’t you try fighting for yourself as well?” Syaoran spoke now that they were practically alone.
“It doesn’t matter. As long as you’re safe and in good weal, I can put up with anything from that woman.”
“But Father…” began Syaoran.
Kurogane glared silence into Syaoran, “You’re the only family I have left now. I’m not going to lose you too.”
Syaoran nodded, before cradling himself into a bit of a ball, “Maybe they won’t be so terrible…They seem nice enough…” he said as optimistically as he could muster then.
“For Witches, maybe…” Kurogane grunted. “You do know that nice blonde is also who said our entire village was to be destroyed, and had everyone else killed?”
Syaoran said nothing, as he took in the information, trying to come up with possible reasoning why they were warned, why they were here.
It was about fifteen minutes of sitting there like that with the medical chest sitting just in front of them, but no keys for the shackles and as Kurogane learned, even with his tremendous strength, he could not break them or break out of them. After a while, the two women returned, with the blonde twirling a wrought iron keyring with some keys on it with one finger, as Sakura carried in a fresh change of clothes.
“Well now… we are going to need to get you two cleaned up. So after I finish checking any injuries… we are going to set you two up.”
Firstly, Fai unshackled and examined Syaoran, and being quite thorough about it. Careful, but methodical, as though used to treating injuries. It must have been a bit awkward and humiliating for the boy, being stripped to only his undergarment in front of a woman. Then once the blonde was done with looking over Syaoran, the brunette girl helped get him dressed in much warmer clothes.
As with what he saw with Syaoran, the devil unshackled his wrists before she got to work, being methodical, but gentle, taking her time to examine him. And Kurogane let her, grimacing only when the other touched the sore spots on his head and where he had been pulling against the shackles.
“Looks like she hit you pretty hard. Do you need some pain reliever for it?”
“I’ll be fine.” Kurogane grumbled.
“Injuries sustained are best treated before they become bigger problems.”
Kurogane grumbled, and Fai made a low hum, flashing a smile. “I’ll make you something to drink.”
Kurogane rubbed his wrists lightly where they had been rubbed raw, thanks to his own resistance. Syaoran had apparently had enough sense to know not to fight the chains. He didn’t have any raw skin from cuffed appendages.
Sakura led the way out and through the place, but stopped at a door, pointing at it. “This room is my personal room. Only Mother is allowed to come in with me.” She walked over to the next room, “This is to be the kid’s room. Your Father may stay here unless Mother has other plans. When the sun is directly o’erhead, it is time for second meal.”
Kurogane made a curt nod. He was not looking forward to that at all. Syaoran spoke a quiet thank you. He was looking down at his feet. Kurogane stood still and before a moment’s notice, Sakura gripped Syaoran’s chin in her hand, forcing him to look her in the eyes. Kurogane took one step forward, but restrained himself from doing anything more when the girl spoke. “You be alright, for a boy. You ha’e nice eyes.”
Fai chuckled at that, and Kurogane just then realized that the leader had tagged along. He turned quickly. The woman was too quiet until just that moment. And Kurogane had the suspicion that Fai had been watching them. “For the nigh of this evening, the two of you may sleep in the same room with each other. By the coming of dawn, that will change.”
“Will you be entering now, boy? I want to talk to you.” Sakura tugged on the door, the door swinging with ease for the she-child, albeit being extremely heavy. Kurogane knew his son gasped, and he did not gasp, though a small gape had occurred. The room was well crafted, chests and a bed and fabrics of such finery, Kurogane did not think Syaoran had seen this many things as fine but once, when they visited his old home. Atop a chest there lay two books, a bound copy of Havamal and The King’s Mirror(6). The books were inlayed and handwritten. The room was simple but elegant, including with it a coal-burning fireplace that lent the room an amber glow.
Syaoran stepped inside, and Sakura went in after him. Kurogane did not follow suit. At first, he glanced at them. Sakura led Syaoran over to the bed, having him get on it before climbing on herself. She crawled atop and leaned on her elbows on the bed, her hands bracing her head, “So… what’s your name?”
The girl, resting herself on the bed had a sweet innocence to her, belied how harmful she really could be. What with that cast-iron skillet of hers, right beside her. Syaoran was currently stripped of his weapon. So was Kurogane.
“Syaoran,” the boy piped up in a quiet voice.
“Syaoran?” the girl asked, as if to clarify, that was indeed his name.
Syaoran nodded, and the female smiled at him, “My name is Sakura.”
Sakura then, very excitedly, began to ask questions of Syaoran, who having been not the most talkative felt a little overwhelmed by all the questions, while Sakura, who normally had no one else to really talk to besides Fai, was super excited and had a million different things she wanted to ask him.
“I think I’d like to see the place.”
“Very well.” Fai shut the door after the two, smiling one of those smiles.
Fai first led Kurogane to the kitchen to make him an herbal drink to make the pain lighter. After, Kurogane wandered about the place, the owner following him around. It was vast, an expanse of space and rooms, with many trinkets and treasures. Lion paraphernalia and cast iron, lavish clothes made of the finest cloths, furs from many animals, medicine chests, flowery incense and oils, scrolls and tapestries of extravagant artwork, ceremonial drums and rattles, fabric to resist the harsher elements, weapons of different makes, precious gemstones, ceramics, spices, golds and silvers, alcohols that bared the Clover mark, pillows, blankets, and instruments of such fancy, Pagan statues, there was a staff that resembled a trident, with its crescent moon, and crystal dagger on one end and the phases of the moon going around both bases, and a silver inlay grip. There was so far nothing he recognized from Suwa here, though there were some colored dyes from Nihon, which were made by Hokuto. He recognized it because his deceased wife would wear a particular outfit that would be dyed purple.
As Kurogane looked at the dyes, Fai smiled as a cat. “See anything you like?”
Kurogane stood up straight, held himself taller than the other. Up close, he knew for sure the other was two inches smaller, before replying, “Not but a reminder of Tomoyo, my son’s Mother.”
Fai spoke nothing for a moment, then. “Did a Sea-Demon slay her too? I found not woman in your abode, nought but few things for women.”
At this, Kurogane blinked before turning to face the Viking. The man was still and not smiling as before. Kurogane almost smirked at the small change, but did not. “Not. The black demons stole her away.”
“That’s well.” Fai said, his grin returning on his face.
“And haps is that well?” Kurogane’s voice had a bark to it.
“Although best if she alive, but would you approve to consort with those that slay your wife?” The Viking had a point.
There were a few domesticated animals. Ushagison, a breed of fluffy white rabbit, that really liked sunflowers. There was actually a small garden for leafy foods so the animals could have some and a massive green pasture that stretched for miles and miles, only interrupted by a stone wall and more flora life. Then there were horses, there was a pair of horses, a white one with bright red eyes named Soel and a black one with dark blue eyes named Larg who seemed to have been ridden recently. Fuuma and Kamui were a pair of peregrine falcons, that Fai took when he was at sea, and they helped hunt down prey from the sea to eat, be it a bird or a fish. There was a well-known mouse that Fai aptly named Subaru. Their cat, Seishiro, loved to chase after it, but never seemed to catch it. However, what felt odd was there was no one else there that he could find.
“Thus are well stocked, Witch.”
“Yes, we are well stocked.”
“Ha’e you taken these boons from all lands gone asunder?”
“Not. We have our alliances with some, and many are on peaceable terms, a few have come to ruin. Such as Suwa land.”
“Did you slay my people after knocking us out?”
“Not. We carted you to the far port where our Dragon was anchored hidden from sight. It was Feiwan who pilots the Dragon, Black Wings. My Dragon is Mokona Modoki, but call Mokona is short.”
“So you knew a … different Viking was about to attack Suwa land?”
“I knew a different Viking about to attack Suwa land.”
“How would you know that, unless you conspire against Suwa land?”
“I overheard him saying that.” Fai merely smiled knowingly. “What is your name?”
“Kurogane.”
Fai smiled, “Well then, Kurogane…” The blonde walked closer, putting one hand lightly on his cheek, “Already, I know your name. If I twere kill you now, then I would have a name to put to the face, and not just a number.” The Viking pauses, “I may be a murderer, but I’m not interested in genocide.”
Kurogane stared at Fai, long and hard. “Who… are you, Witch?”
“I am Fai… Fai of D. And believe me, Kurogane, the pleasure is all mine.” Fai was smiling, before opening a particular room. Inside of it was many things, some he recognized from the lands of Suwa and some things he’d never seen in his life. Including the first thing he really saw… “…That’s my father’s sword…!”
“Hmm? Ginryuu, huh?” Fai said eyeing the silver dragon handle with the red eyes. “Your father must have good taste in swords.”
Kurogane caught himself, as Fai smirked cheekily at him. “I wonder… Did you inherit the gift, Kurogane, son of Toriho(7)?”
Kurogane did not trust his mouth to speak. “You were training Syaoran, yes?” From behind him, the blonde pulled out the swords that they had had beforehand, Souhi and Hien. “These swords are explicitly for both of you aren’t they?”
“H…What would you know about it?” Kurogane grabbed at the swords, but Fai only let him take Souhi.
“We’re a dying race, Kuro-water.”
“What the hell did you call me?” Kurogane said, gripping his sword, but not unsheathing her.
“Kuro-water. Kuro-sea. Kuro-ocean. Kuro-wet.” Fai was grinning, seeming way too happy mutilating his name with water-related words. Kurogane tried to lower his heartbeat, but Fai was just… he knew. He knew about his father.
“Oh yeah, then what are you? You said we.”
Fai stopped, looked surprised, realizing he let that slip. Well, since it was already halfway out, there was only one thing to do. “Yes… we…now that you are part of our family, that makes you one of us.” Cover it up.
“That’s not what you meant by we?”
“Is it not? Can you prove it, Kuro-skeptic?”
Kurogane stood impassively still, “Air. You have air chi.” The look of shock on Fai’s face spoke lengths, and Kurogane smirked, “And the she-child…Earth, I’d say.”
Fai struggled for a moment to fix his composure, before shaking his head lightly. “You would say.” Fai looked up smiling, “So you would say Syaoran is Fire. What a family makes we.”
It was two days after Kurogane and Syaoran had been taken in, induced to being with Fai that Kurogane learned something vital. The first night, he had stayed with Syaoran after the dinner that was to celebrate birthdays (Sakura and Syaonran had apparently been born on the same day), just in case, but the next night, Fai had said he had to room with her. Kurogane had to share the same room with the Witch, and Fai had even slept in the same bed, but he hadn’t noticed until the next morning, that morning, that Fai was assuredly not a female.
“What!?” Kurogane spoke, standing in a state of shellshock. Fai, the Mother of the she-child, was … he really was a male. The woman, no man, was standing around in their chambers, and was in the midst of getting changed when Kurogane saw the unmistakable not-there breasts, and the unmistakable there-cock between his legs.
“Seishiro got your tongue, Kuro-gape?” the mercenary asked, clearly amused.
“You…and…you are… you…” Kurogane began, before blurting out, “You are man!”
“Is there something wrong with what I am, Kuro-pointing-out-the-obvious?” Fai asked, his voice ever so perfect, and using Kurogane’s own words against him.
Kurogane closed his mouth as he said nothing, cheeks tinted pink, as he couldn’t quite look away from the other. Fai was only wearing that ornamental hairpiece and a pale blue night gown that just reached his midriff, while pulling up a pair of black short shorts. A brassiere and then a corset. Fai dredged on more layers to cover his chest, and more to his nether region before adding the breastplate and plate skirt, then an over coat and then the hugely fluffy coat he wore.
“You hide behind cloth layer and words you are a man. Shame you in being male?”
“I do what I want, Kurogane.” Fai said with an icy tint to his voice. “We will be leaving soon, to port of Hanshin soon. I suggest you get ready to deport.”
“Deport? We’re leaving here?”
Fai grinned, “Has Kuro-surprised grown attached to living with us?”
“No.” Kurogane said quickly, defiantly, finally able to look away, “I just did not know we would be going to port so soon.”
“Hanshin welcomes us to her waters and port. Arashi has given the promise of shelter, in the times when we arrive,” Fai spoke easily, before putting in some earrings to match his headpiece. “We will be leaving tomorrow to Hanshin.”
“Does this Arashi for whom know you are man?”
“Arashi does not know I am man.”
Kurogane stared at the male. “Why do you not wish others to possess knowledge of your male nature?”
At this, Fai stared simply at Kurogane. “The world has become a cruel place. It has begun to speak ill of the brother who desires a brother…the sister who lusts for her sister. But not the sister courting her brother. For man is the joy of man(8), but with the Christening lands, these words are being lost to the easily swayed, and extremely, only man and woman are savable. Nothing against man and woman, for that is how kin are birthed, but I favor the flute in bed(9).”
Kurogane blinked, before he understood quickly and blushed. No. Fucking. Way. Kurogane grew silent, as he watched the other, the other staring at him, blue eyes gazing, Fai carefully calculating.
“Does that mean you desire me?” Kurogane barely voiced after a while.
“If I do, what then, Kuro-curious? What will you do, knowing that I desire you?”
Kurogane grew silent, studying the other. Like this, the man looked like a girl, was pretty enough to be a girl, what with soft but firm skin, pale white, with that long blond hair, silky smooth hair that ran down his back reaching to his lower calves, (probably never cut), the way those blue eyes sparkled. Even his voice could be feminine, as though it had never reached maturity, and his clothing choices made it appear that he was suppressing breasts, instead of how he didn’t have any to speak of. But underneath those flowing clothes, was most certainly not a girl. “I’m yours, remember?” Kurogane grumbled, “In exchange for your promise, my body, my very life belongs solely to you.”
Fai smiles, and his blue eyes seem to hold a soft twinkle to them. Or perhaps it was just from the gemstones he adorned himself with that made it look that way.
“Can I ask you something else?”
“Why certainly, you can ask. I may choose to decline, however.”
“What is it that you want from me?”
“What indeed.” Fai spoke cleanly, teasingly.
The Historical Corner:
(1) she to say Father, and he to say Mother - Due to the fact Vikings were oft of Scandinavian blood then, (and oft tall, with high cheek bones, willowly frames, and some were blonde) and that this is 13th century time era, they would use Old West (Icelandic/Norwegian) Norse instead of Old East (Danish/Swedish) Norse, In Old Norse, words have a particular gender. So, for example, merely ‘Vegr” (Veg is to Kill, as in battle; to slay and ~r is masculine), would be translated as He kills. Did best for now, and will continue to improve.
(2) Heilir- Going with the Old Norse, Heill is appropriately only said when greeting a single male. To greet a woman, or a group of both sexes, one would use Heil, for a group of men, Heilir, and a group of women is Heilar.
(3) black demons - The Bubonic Plague. In those times, they thought it truly was Witchcraft that caused them, that demons possessed the body before killing it about four days time.
(4) she-child - Until I find out the correct way to write these, some words with have the feminine or masculine frame of phrasing… Because I am still learning… Gomen.
(5) Cero’s name - I was not originally using Cero, as I had been illy debating over Keto, Ceto, Kero, and Cero, as it’s supposed a Creature of the sea, as a Ceto is a sea Monster, but Kero is a guardian so… So In Cero’s name … is, here, basically his way of saying, that in the name of the Guardian of the Sea and our Dragon ships. ^-^”
(6) Havamal and The King’s Mirror - These are real books that were written during that time period, although Havamal was originally a gnomic poem, oft found in Poetic Edda. But the text of Havamal is like a Viking’s Code of Living… Proper advice of conduct, wisdom and daily living.
(7) son of Toriho - They didn’t SAY “Son of Toriho” to indicate who they were the son of, they said “Toriho-son.” For example, the sentence in Old Norse, ‘ek Kurogane, Toriho-son.’ Translated, that would go ‘I am Kurogane, son of Toriho.’ which is what it roughly MEANS but not how they would say it. It would be like Fai going Sakura chan, and everyone translates that to “cute Sakura’ or some other variation of -chan or drop it entirely, which also changes things… This is what encourages confusion among linguistics. (The infamous DUBBING). Until I can correct my own errors… um, hope you still enjoy. ^-^”
(8) For man is the joy of man – A line from Havamal, verse 47:
Young was I once, I walked alone,
and bewildered seemed in the way;
then I found me another and rich I thought me,
for man is the joy of man.
(9) the flute in bed – The flute was beyond a musical instrument. It was the politer way to refer to male genitalia. To play the flute meant you either were a flutier or wanting sex.