kanu_x
in
arashirabu
Special Kingdom
Edited: 2012.11.29
Title: Special Kingdom
Feature/Pairing: Arashi, Ohmiya, JunAiba, Yama (onesided)
Rating: PG (incest, language)
Genre: romance, historical fiction (everything is purely fictional!!)
Summary: Mostly thoughts, memories, and some plot in First Person from different characters.
Trouble in the Royal Court. How will the five: Satoshi, Sho, Masaki, Kazunari, and Jun deal?
Part: 4/7
A/N: My first Arashi fic. :0
Characters: (##) = age
only those in red are important
Royal Family: *#=order of birth
Emperor Ohno IV (69)
Wife #1 (60)
*1 --> Daughter1 (42)
Wife #2 (54)
*2 --> Daughter2 (38)
*4 --> Son2/Second Prince (29-30) Ohno SATOSHI
Wife #3 (53)
*3 --> Son1/Heir (32)
*7 --> Daughter4 (27)
*8 --> Daughter5 (20)
Wife #4 (44)
Wife #5 (45)
*5 --> Daughter3 (29)
*6 --> Son3/Third Prince (27) Ninomiya KAZUNARI
Wife #6 (34)
*9 --> Son4/Fourth Prince (05)
Others:
Royal Scholar - Sakurai SHO (29)
Royal Guard - Matsumoto JUN (27)
Commoner - Aiba MASAKI (28)
1-Emperor Ohno IV
2-Ohno Satoshi
3-Aiba Masaki
* * *
Matsumoto Jun:
There is only one person more important to me than my life. Since I was young, it has always been that way. I have faith that the one person will continue to be my all important for the rest of my life.
As far as I know, I am the most miserable person in the world. The worst day of my childhood, even worse than the beatings of the village kids, even worse than eating scraps off the ground, is finding the dead bodies of my parents and older sister at five. It rains. In that darkness, I cling to them. Their bodies are wet and slick with mud, as is mine. By the next day, I can smell the rot. In the hot sun, we dry out. I leave them there.
As a child, there is nothing to do but die in hunger. But I want to survive. I want this misery to last. It is my self inflicted punishment to the world who has given me my fate, another sadness for this land to endure and write down in time. For that I will live in my darkness.
Then he enters my life. I am cold. I am hungry. I build a fire in the abandoned hut I had found. Somehow, the straws catch on fire. My strength fails me. I am too weak to move. At that moment, I decide to die.
Yet he enters, a bit taller and bigger than I. Just a kid like me. Like the rest of the village kids or those of the towns. But I am wrong. He is like none of us. He pulls me out of that burning inferno. Why does he save me? Why does this kid try to be a hero?
I see the tears of pain running down his face when his arm burns. Why save me?
Clutching his arm, he walk me to the nearest temple where he has his burn looked at by the monks. I cannot stop staring at the kid the whole time. I engrave his face into my memory.
Finally, it is time for him to go. No! I don't want him to leave! I want somebody, someone in my life! I want something to treasure.
This kid gives me the sunniest smile. He forgives me for that burn. He treats me like a human being. I weep.
"Don't worry," he tells me and ruffles my hair, as if he was grown.
I engrave his smile into my memory. That very temple we had gone to, I grow up in that temple.
At twelve, I volunteer to enter the Royal army. I've always admired them. I know I will be no more than a foot soldier, but it is enough for me. For a boy without family like me, I will give myself to my nation. I want to be some sort of hero, like my own hero so many years ago.
With nothing to lose but the memories I value, I train harder than any of the others. I work harder than my comrades in my own sweat and blood. I will be better. I had to be hard on myself. My commanders become proud of me. The Royal Guards, a special unit of soldiers, make their rounds each month. They are impressed with me. I receive something I have never hoped for, a position within the Royal Guards.
I am eighteen when I start my rounds around the Palace. That is when I meet Sakurai Sho, a Royal Scholar. He is young, like me, and like me he had worked hard for his position. We respect one another. Yet, Sho had a silly side to him. Though he is smart in one aspect, he makes a lot of mistakes in a few others. That is all the humor I needed. Most often, he surrounds himself with the others.
The others: the Second and Third Prince. For some reason, those three gets along. I do not speak to them much, but I came to know, especially through their continuous interaction with Sakurai, that the two princes are not like the rest. They are just like us; normal human beings. Not arrogant. Not twisted. I respect them too.
The Second Prince has a kind heart. He is soft and gentle. He has the biggest heart of all the Emperor's children. That is why I suspect he is loved by the people and his father most. Yet, he seeks freedom. I see that the Second Prince does not wish to be tied down.
The Third Prince has absolutely no intention of ruling. The Second Prince also harbors no ambitions, but he can be forced into accepting the title of heir. I suspect that the Third Prince will fight his way out. He cannot be manipulated. Quick-witted, independent, and clever; I think he's the best of all the Royal children. Sometimes, I think he has the clueless Second Prince wrapped around his finger.
While I am with the Guards and regular soldiers, I hear talk about the Empire. I came to know that the Heir is despised. He is evil and cruel. The Empire will rot under his rule. Yet, nothing can be done. It is the oldest son who ascends the throne. I have come into contact with the Heir a few times over many years. He is despicable in behavior, and I try to be humble. I get out of those situations quickly.
Time passes and I am content where I am.
Then I make my rounds one day, and someone comes flying at me over the wall. It is the shame of my life because I was unprepared. I am hurled down. An attack!? The person lay on top of me. While he struggles, I reach for my knife. I hold it to his neck. Have I come across an enemy?
But of course, Sakurai crushes my victory. HE is a friend.
At first, I am upset. I am pissed! Who wouldn't be? I hated this new friend of Sakurai. Why risk his life to break in? It is dangerous and bad. And he's been doing it for five years! Shame on us all who protect the walls. Only my shame and determination to work harder stopped me from reporting him.
While he gets up from where I threw him, the resemblance hits me. For a moment I lose my breath. Waves of cold runs through my body as I match this person's face to the sweet boy fifteen years ago. No way. But his face is engraved in my memory. It's still there, waiting to be recalled. And there's that identical best of smiles. I can never forget.
I found my hero.
He continues to sneak over the walls in his dangerous way. I continue to get mad. Why should he put himself in danger just to see his friends? Can't they be big enough to step out? Luckily, it is always me who catches him. Or, more precisely, I go out of my way to make sure we meet.
He will jump over the wall, and a second later, I'm there to grumble at him. I want to see him more. Closer. I want to be close enough to touch his face. But I don't. I think he thinks I hate him. I think he hates me too. For some reason, I find that this small bond is enough to make me happy. So this is true happiness? I hold it dearly. I will try my hardest in life so I can keep it.
At first, Masaki ignores me. I thought it for the best. But as a person whose power of curiosity maxes outs, he begins to bug me. I become annoyed. This man does not understand boundaries. And yet I find his presence comforting. To have him with me always; wouldn't that be like a dream come true?
He talks endlessly. It's useless chatter. Sick of me, but I also find that somewhat endearing. I want to answer, but I know I must keep my cool. I am a Guard. I cannot lose focus for this one man. However, when he comes to a stop because he despairs, I speak. For this high energy person, depression is his worst. I cannot stand to see his sorrow.
I realize that Masaki has me hoaxed, the idiot. It is the worst.
And my own irritation increases when he puts himself in danger. It is the Blooming Ceremony and I see him with the workers. How stupid are you!? Get away. Of course, I don't tell him that. I just seethe and keep a watch over his back. I even offer to trade places with another Guard just so I can keep Masaki under surveillance. That man can do unbelievably idiotic things. I'm happy he's here, but...
The Emperor passes on his way towards the courtyard, the Heir one step behind him. The Counselors trail behind. I feel something wrong. Something's in the air. My instincts make me suspicious, but I say nothing. I observe the Emperor as he moves along. He appears disheartened, as if he had just made a big decision he is not proud of.
Almost half an hour later, Satoshi and Kazunari also passes by. They stand with a small gap between them. I nod while Masaki makes a fool of himself by waving and beaming that sunny smile. You fool! You're not supposed to act that way towards Royalty! I was afraid he'd be taken in for discourtesy, so I yell at him to keep working. He grins but does nothing further. Safe.
Before long, almost all the Guards are called to defend the courtyard where the Royal Family is gathered.
The Ceremony has already started. Sakurai Sho is honored with presenting the speech this year. He makes a terrific one, though I'm sure most of the people there does not understand. He finishes and the Emperor stands to make a toast. I fall back on my heels and look behind me for any sign of enemies.
When I turn back, the people at the table drink: Royal Family, Counselors, Guests and all. Everything's going fine.
And then the Heir splits the air with a death cry. Chaos ensues. The Heir dies in this confusion. Everyone cries out. My heart beats in my ear. It is the time to act. The Guards and I rush forward to protect the Royal Family.
"Poison!" Sho shouts when he takes a look at the Heir's cup. What could have happened?
The word treason goes all around. Someone points up at the roof.
"THERE! The CRIMINAL!"
"Guards, shoot!"
I catch sight of a man on the roof. A commoner. One of the helping hands?! But how could he have gotten that close? While I think, I am one step behind. The first volley of arrows had missed him. The criminal stumbles almost out of sight. My arrow is notched. I aim and release.
He cries out as my arrow pierces his shoulder. I feel a sense of accomplishment as the man disappears from my view. He has fallen on the other side of the building. The Guards rush to him. I follow.
They haul the criminal to his feet. I come running and stop. I know that man.
Masaki is crying.
He is the criminal? I freeze in shock. HE is the criminal? For one moment, Masaki stares straight at me. I think he searches my face and does not find what he wants. He breaks down in despair and they drag him away.
"Check to see if he has any accomplices!" our commander orders.
"Yes, sir!" The Guards and soldiers scatter.
I remain frozen in place. What had he been searching for? What had Masaki been searching for in me? I walk over to where he had fallen. I see his blood on the ground. It is my own arrow that had pierced him. Why does my heart hurt?
I realize it is not because he is an enemy. No, I can bet on my life that it is not him. I am in pain because I had hurt Masaki. He had been crying.
I stumble to the window of the archives where the other three had gathered. The Princes are shaken. Sakurai is pacing back and forth.
"It is not him," I mutter.
Sakurai stops as he hears me. "I know."
"I..." I think I am going crazy. An earlier memory flashes into my mind. "Did they know there was going to be danger?" I whisper.
Sakurai leans in closer towards the window. "What?"
My voice grows stronger, but cracks as I repeat and explains. "The Emperor and Counselors... they were worried. Did they guess?"
The other man's eyebrows drew together. He begins his pacing once more as his brain whirls.
I've said all I could say. I take one glance at the upset Princes, and then draw away from the window.
The Guards patrol all night. All night, I walk with my head in the clouds. By morning, we are all exhausted. A few of us, myself included, are told to take a rest. I am glad when I fall into a deep slumber.
By afternoon, I have regained half my wits. I immediately go to ask for Masaki's condition. They say the arrowhead has been taken out and a towel has been hastily wrapped around his wound, but he have had no medical treatment. Why need one, they reason, when he was going to die soon anyway?
My lips thin. Masaki will not die.
"Or else, they will save him for interrogation if they want information."
Torture. The alternative horrifies me. No, not to Masaki.
I become resolve. I will go to the Emperor and his Counselors. I will go on my knees and beg for them to believe me. Masaki had not poisoned the Heir. It is some other person but definitely not Masaki.
Outside the Red House where the Counsel is taking place, I signal the lesser soldiers to leave. They obey. I am alone in front of the sliding doors. I enter two rooms until I am in the adjoining room to theirs. My mouth opens to speak, but a Counselor interrupts me through the thin walls.
"How convenient that there is a man to take the blame."
It couldn't be.
"Now that the Heir is out, the Second Prince can become Crown Prince."
I fall back on my heels, horrified. I dare not breathe.
"We shall sentence the man to death immediately before the truth is uncovered."
The truth is stifling: there is no way to save Masaki.
I run out into the deserted courtyard. Already it is night. I yell at the moon as I cry. Tears of agony and despair rolls down my face. Masaki. "How can you do this to him!? What does that say about me who are protecting you!? How can you send an innocent man to die in your place?!" The tears keep coming.
My heart bleeds. If only I can wrench it out of this useless body. It takes me an hour, maybe more, to calm down.
By then, I had reached a resolution.
Inside the dungeons, it is dark and cold. I seek out Masaki's. He is a high ranked prisoner, thus he has a cell to himself. My eyes adjust to the dim light coming in through the barred windows.
I enter his cell. Masaki is asleep. I kneel down and caress his forehead. He wakes to my gentle touch. I can see the dullness in his eyes caused by his pain. It takes him a moment to recognize me, but he finally does.
"Matsujun..."
I thought I heard a hint of happiness in his voice at seeing me. He sits upright and I immediately tend to his wounds. I have brought medicine.
"No need," he says and tries to push me away, but he is weak. "I will die."
I ignore him and rip open his shirt to clean his shoulder wound. It is raw but not infected, thank goodness. His shirt slips down his arm and I see the burn scar. My throat tightens.
"Are you hurt anywhere else? How about when you fell?"
He answers tiredly, out of strength. While I tend to him, we are quiet. My eyes sting. He's not this silent. He's never this unhappy.
And then in that stifling atmosphere, Masaki said, "I didn't do it." His confession breaks me again. "I did not poison the Heir," he sobs, his tears glittering in the darkness.
I reach out and gently touch his face. Don't cry. Don't cry for those kind of people.
"I know," I say. "And I will get you out, Masaki."
"How? How?" he cries. "I know they will kill me. I know when. I know what time of the day."
This pain kills me. My own tears spill as I touch my lips to his. He silences at the soft kiss. I draw away. We lock eyes. Again, I am crying too as I hold his face in my hands.
"Listen, Masaki. I will get you out but you have to do everything I say. Tomorrow, when they release you, get as far away from this place as possible. Never come back."
He reaches up and grips my sleeve. "Why?" Why do this for me?
I stand and the distance between us is like a void. "Because... " I almost cannot say it. Those words do not sum up these feelings. "I love you."
I do not hate you, Masaki.
I leave him in silence. Aiba Masaki remains the most important person to me. More than my life.
To the Emperor who knows the identity of the real culprit, I have begged to change places with this innocent man. It will be the noose around my neck, not his. Even if I have to take a hundred deaths for Masaki, I will. Over and over again.
* * *
Next: Ninomiya Kazunari!