Arashi fic - Ungrateful Dwarf
Title: The Ungrateful Dwarf (5/7)
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Pairing: Jun/Aiba, Ohmiya
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Nope. Never happened. Don't know or own Arashi.
A/N: Based on the fairy tale Snow White and Rose Red.
beta'ed by panda eva_lee
_________________________________________
5.
It was two days later that they came to the lake and though Masaki had not seen the angel since the night they'd rescued the dwarf, he did not lose hope. Oddly enough, even Kazunari was filled with a slight giddiness, though Masaki had no idea why. Kazu had never shown any preference to the water - some might even go as far as to saying he actually hated it; he hated swimming, hated the shoreline, and hated the fish that swam within, yet there seemed to be a skip in his step as they approached, the air filled with the scent of aqua and mud, reeds and cattails.
They had only been to play at the lake twice before, when their grandfather was still alive and Sho had no hesitance to leave their cottage. Masaki remembered it well: the days spent under the sun, swimming with Sho until grandfather called that it was time for dinner and they marched along to find Kazu sleeping under the shade of a palmetto, curled in on himself like an opossum. At night they would tell stories around the campfire, sing songs about rainbows and sparkles, and even watch a few of Kazu's gifted magic tricks - the kind he never performed anymore. And then they'd fall asleep, Masaki nestled in snugly between Kazu and Sho next to the still glowing embers.
“This brings back memories, doesn't it?” Masaki asked, guessing that was the reason for Kazu's sudden upbeat demeanor, and he swung the shorter boy's hand to and fro. Kazu said nothing, but offered his brother a bright smile, a far cry from his usual impish grin that usually meant trouble was on the way, or so Sho would say.
The path leading down to the lake seemed smaller than they remembered it, and Masaki wondered if it was because it hadn't been in use for such a long time, or if it was simply because he was bigger than the ten years he was when he'd last seen it. They peered out past the bushes that ran its length and could not help but espy something moving on the other side, leaping in fright like a giant grasshopper, and so the brothers decided to take a closer look and crept up slowly. When they found it was simply the dwarf, Masaki let out a loud sigh, for he'd been looking forward to catching a giant grasshopper and proving to Sho that they did indeed exist.
“What?” the dwarf cried out in shock, turning as he jumped again, and they saw that he was holding a tiny fishing pole - handmade and the perfect size for his little hands. He scrambled to see where the noise had come from, but he was too short to see over the line of bushes, and in his panic, the top of his fishing line, where it attached to the pole, became tangled in his still long-ish hair. “Who is there?” he cried out and in that moment the hook entered the water and a large fish accepted the bait, latching on and tugging at the line.
It all happened so fast that the dwarf was pulled to the lakeside, the fish being much larger than his strength could handle, and he risked a chance of being pulled down below. He reached out for the reeds and rushes to hold his ground, but it was of little use and his tiny body was dragged further and further into the murky water by the shore. The fish zigged and zagged and the poor little dwarf's body was forced to mimic, his hair being pulled this way and that way until it hurt just to hold on.
Fearing for the little dwarf's life, as Masaki did not know whether or not dwarfs could swim, the tallest boy leapt forward and snatched up the little man, holding him tightly against his chest. “I've got you now, Mr. Dwarf! Don't worry - I won't let go!”
“You silly dolt!” the dwarf cried aloud as he wrapped his stubby arms around Masaki's neck, holding on for dear life. “This is entirely your fault in the first place. If you hadn't startled me-”
The fish was too big for even Masaki to reign in and his feet started skidding down the shoreline, his heels digging into the dirt to steady himself and allow some leverage. Off in the distance, the fish began flying out of the water, the hook embedded deep within, and it was clear that it was not about to let go any time soon. It was then that Kazu came forward, the familiar gleam of his shears in hand and with a snip, snip, snip, the dwarf was freed from the line, his hair a bit shorter because of it. The line went flying out into the water with the fish, never to be seen again, along with long, dark strands from the dwarf's head.
Relieved, Masaki set the little man back upon the bank as he gathered his breath, his heart beating tenfold faster than it ever had before. The dwarf doubled over, his tiny hands perched on his tiny knees, and when he opened his eyes, he noticed how short his hair had become and began to shout in anger. “You uncivilized miscreants! How could you do this again to my precious hair - the only part of me left that is beautiful?” He stomped around the boys in his little boots, the sound barely an echo against the sand, and they watched with rapt attention, for they had never seen a dwarf so furious.
“Well what else should I have done?” Kazu asked, his arms crossed over his chest as he tapped a foot impatiently, waiting for any enlightening advice the little man could throw his way. There was nothing else, of course, that could have been done, and the dwarf stopped in a huff at Kazu's feet, steaming and sputtering.
“I'm afraid that you two will be the end of me - that the next time we meet, I shall lose the rest of my precious hair,” the dwarf defended himself indignantly, placing the cause of his troubles on the two boys.
But just as their last encounter, Masaki gathered him up in his lanky arms and squeezed the dwarf in a hearty hug, as though he were hugging one of the furry creatures he met in the forest. At once the dwarf went silent and turned a strange shade of red, his eyes wide and his breath quick. Masaki could feel the tiny man's heartbeat speed up, but declined to comment, attributing it to the easily frightened nature of the dwarf. Instead he pleaded, “Please don't be angry with us, Mr. Dwarf. We want nothing more than to see you safe. And if that means sacrificing a bit of your beautiful hair, then isn't it worth it?”
The dwarf had no words, his mouth gaping open much like the fish who had gotten away, and he wobbled a bit on his short legs when Masaki finally set him back on the bank. Instead, he silently shuffled away to a nearby boulder, tottering as though he were in a trance of some kind, and when they peered around the large rock, he was nowhere to be seen again.
“Figures, he'd disappear without even so much as a thank you,” Kazu muttered under his breath and kicked a few pebbles into the water. Masaki couldn't turn away from the boulder though for a good many moments, as he wondered just where the dwarf had gone, and whether they'd be seeing him anytime in the near future. He certainly hoped so, though his brother most likely did not.
The spent the rest of the afternoon lazing about the edge of the lake, feasting on wild turnip leaves and roots, sweet cabbage and berries that they'd plucked earlier that morning. For a short while, Masaki finally convinced Kazu to take a swim with him and they discarded their clothing by the bank, leaving the worn fabrics draped over the boulder, and dove in. The lake's floor was muddy and grimy, oozing between their toes with every step they took, and tiny fishes came to nip at their knees just to see what they were and why they had invaded the crystalline waters. The boys splashed and played, dunking each other under the cool surface and coming back up with explosive bouts of laughter that carried over the air like a song.
When they came out and dried in the setting sun, Masaki couldn't help but notice that some of the light had faded from his brother's eyes, and though he would have liked to attribute it to a growing tiredness, he knew that something must be plaguing the other. “What is wrong, Kazu?” Masaki asked, draping an arm around the other boy's naked shoulders and drawing him nearer.
“It's nothing,” Kazu answered with a grin that was only half there.
Masaki could not leave it at that. “I know you better than any other in this whole wide world. I know when something is wrong and I know when all is right.”
Kazu sighed, knowing he could not escape, and a sad smile appeared on his lips. “It's just that... Panda-san wanted to come here, and I was hoping when we arrived, that he would be here. He's not though, and has not appeared to us the entire day.”
“Perhaps he has already been here and left?” Masaki queried, a hand poised at his chin in proper thought. “He did leave the cottage some time before us, so it would only make sense that he arrived before us, and therefore departed before us.”
Kazu shook his head. “He seemed so keen on fishing in the lake, that I think he would spend a great deal of time here.”
“Maybe he has gotten lost on his way?” Masaki tried again. “I do not know how well a panda's sense of direction would guide them. It might be that he simply went in the wrong direction.”
“Maybe so,” Kazu replied with lackluster.
Masaki ruffled the top of his brother's head, bringing their foreheads together in gentle affection. “Or maybe he has stopped to take an afternoon nap and did not wake again until sunset.”
Kazu laughed abruptly and it sounded wonderful to Masaki's ears. “That does sound like our Panda-san.”
“Then there is nothing to be worried about,” Masaki explained. They exchanged their smiles and lay back in the soft green grass, much nicer than the moss beds they were accustomed to. Cattails and Indian weeds swayed all around them as fireflies began to come out of their hiding places for a nighttime dance. “If you like,” Masaki began again, “we may wait here until Panda-san arrives, though it may take a few days with the number of naps he is prone to.”
Kazu shook his head. “No. You have something you are searching for, so let's not delay. I'd like to be back home before the end of summer - if Sho has not burned it down yet. Panda-san has promised to return there for me anyway.” His voice was soft and clear and it was only minutes later that he fell asleep, his heavy head rested against Masaki's shoulder.
When the moon had come and gone, but the stars remained high in the inky sky, the angel came again, shining down his light on Masaki's half-dozing figure. The taller boy sat up, careful to let Kazu's head fall lightly against the dewy tufts of grass, and turned with a calm look of adoration at the unmoving figure watching them some ways away.
Masaki stood slowly, careful not to alarm the angel or scare him away and, remembering that he was still unclothed, took his long shirt from the boulder and quickly pulled it over his head. His legs were naked from mid-thigh down and his feet uncovered as he glided through the wet, early morning grass, the weeds tickling his calves with every step forward. The angel never seemed to notice though, as he kept his gaze trained on Masaki's eyes and face, his expression honest and trusting.
Neither said a word as Masaki approached, eying the angel up and down as he walked all around it in an attempt to see if the angel was translucent from all sides or just the front. He could see through the angel, even to where Kazu still lay in his green bed with their blanket pulled up tight around his shoulders. His eyes came back up to meet the angel's and the ethereal creature seemed to gift him a knowing look, but never said anything. “You know...” Masaki began, examining the length of dark hair that rested on the angel's shoulders. “You look awfully familiar. Did you cut your hair recently? Do angels even cut their hair?”
The angel laughed, albeit silently, shaking his head in apparent amusement before he disappeared altogether, dimming gradually until Masaki could no longer see him.
That night, Masaki said a prayer: that the angel might watch over Kazu and Sho and Panda-san... and even the dwarf.
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Pairing: Jun/Aiba, Ohmiya
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Nope. Never happened. Don't know or own Arashi.
A/N: Based on the fairy tale Snow White and Rose Red.
beta'ed by panda eva_lee
_________________________________________
5.
It was two days later that they came to the lake and though Masaki had not seen the angel since the night they'd rescued the dwarf, he did not lose hope. Oddly enough, even Kazunari was filled with a slight giddiness, though Masaki had no idea why. Kazu had never shown any preference to the water - some might even go as far as to saying he actually hated it; he hated swimming, hated the shoreline, and hated the fish that swam within, yet there seemed to be a skip in his step as they approached, the air filled with the scent of aqua and mud, reeds and cattails.
They had only been to play at the lake twice before, when their grandfather was still alive and Sho had no hesitance to leave their cottage. Masaki remembered it well: the days spent under the sun, swimming with Sho until grandfather called that it was time for dinner and they marched along to find Kazu sleeping under the shade of a palmetto, curled in on himself like an opossum. At night they would tell stories around the campfire, sing songs about rainbows and sparkles, and even watch a few of Kazu's gifted magic tricks - the kind he never performed anymore. And then they'd fall asleep, Masaki nestled in snugly between Kazu and Sho next to the still glowing embers.
“This brings back memories, doesn't it?” Masaki asked, guessing that was the reason for Kazu's sudden upbeat demeanor, and he swung the shorter boy's hand to and fro. Kazu said nothing, but offered his brother a bright smile, a far cry from his usual impish grin that usually meant trouble was on the way, or so Sho would say.
The path leading down to the lake seemed smaller than they remembered it, and Masaki wondered if it was because it hadn't been in use for such a long time, or if it was simply because he was bigger than the ten years he was when he'd last seen it. They peered out past the bushes that ran its length and could not help but espy something moving on the other side, leaping in fright like a giant grasshopper, and so the brothers decided to take a closer look and crept up slowly. When they found it was simply the dwarf, Masaki let out a loud sigh, for he'd been looking forward to catching a giant grasshopper and proving to Sho that they did indeed exist.
“What?” the dwarf cried out in shock, turning as he jumped again, and they saw that he was holding a tiny fishing pole - handmade and the perfect size for his little hands. He scrambled to see where the noise had come from, but he was too short to see over the line of bushes, and in his panic, the top of his fishing line, where it attached to the pole, became tangled in his still long-ish hair. “Who is there?” he cried out and in that moment the hook entered the water and a large fish accepted the bait, latching on and tugging at the line.
It all happened so fast that the dwarf was pulled to the lakeside, the fish being much larger than his strength could handle, and he risked a chance of being pulled down below. He reached out for the reeds and rushes to hold his ground, but it was of little use and his tiny body was dragged further and further into the murky water by the shore. The fish zigged and zagged and the poor little dwarf's body was forced to mimic, his hair being pulled this way and that way until it hurt just to hold on.
Fearing for the little dwarf's life, as Masaki did not know whether or not dwarfs could swim, the tallest boy leapt forward and snatched up the little man, holding him tightly against his chest. “I've got you now, Mr. Dwarf! Don't worry - I won't let go!”
“You silly dolt!” the dwarf cried aloud as he wrapped his stubby arms around Masaki's neck, holding on for dear life. “This is entirely your fault in the first place. If you hadn't startled me-”
The fish was too big for even Masaki to reign in and his feet started skidding down the shoreline, his heels digging into the dirt to steady himself and allow some leverage. Off in the distance, the fish began flying out of the water, the hook embedded deep within, and it was clear that it was not about to let go any time soon. It was then that Kazu came forward, the familiar gleam of his shears in hand and with a snip, snip, snip, the dwarf was freed from the line, his hair a bit shorter because of it. The line went flying out into the water with the fish, never to be seen again, along with long, dark strands from the dwarf's head.
Relieved, Masaki set the little man back upon the bank as he gathered his breath, his heart beating tenfold faster than it ever had before. The dwarf doubled over, his tiny hands perched on his tiny knees, and when he opened his eyes, he noticed how short his hair had become and began to shout in anger. “You uncivilized miscreants! How could you do this again to my precious hair - the only part of me left that is beautiful?” He stomped around the boys in his little boots, the sound barely an echo against the sand, and they watched with rapt attention, for they had never seen a dwarf so furious.
“Well what else should I have done?” Kazu asked, his arms crossed over his chest as he tapped a foot impatiently, waiting for any enlightening advice the little man could throw his way. There was nothing else, of course, that could have been done, and the dwarf stopped in a huff at Kazu's feet, steaming and sputtering.
“I'm afraid that you two will be the end of me - that the next time we meet, I shall lose the rest of my precious hair,” the dwarf defended himself indignantly, placing the cause of his troubles on the two boys.
But just as their last encounter, Masaki gathered him up in his lanky arms and squeezed the dwarf in a hearty hug, as though he were hugging one of the furry creatures he met in the forest. At once the dwarf went silent and turned a strange shade of red, his eyes wide and his breath quick. Masaki could feel the tiny man's heartbeat speed up, but declined to comment, attributing it to the easily frightened nature of the dwarf. Instead he pleaded, “Please don't be angry with us, Mr. Dwarf. We want nothing more than to see you safe. And if that means sacrificing a bit of your beautiful hair, then isn't it worth it?”
The dwarf had no words, his mouth gaping open much like the fish who had gotten away, and he wobbled a bit on his short legs when Masaki finally set him back on the bank. Instead, he silently shuffled away to a nearby boulder, tottering as though he were in a trance of some kind, and when they peered around the large rock, he was nowhere to be seen again.
“Figures, he'd disappear without even so much as a thank you,” Kazu muttered under his breath and kicked a few pebbles into the water. Masaki couldn't turn away from the boulder though for a good many moments, as he wondered just where the dwarf had gone, and whether they'd be seeing him anytime in the near future. He certainly hoped so, though his brother most likely did not.
The spent the rest of the afternoon lazing about the edge of the lake, feasting on wild turnip leaves and roots, sweet cabbage and berries that they'd plucked earlier that morning. For a short while, Masaki finally convinced Kazu to take a swim with him and they discarded their clothing by the bank, leaving the worn fabrics draped over the boulder, and dove in. The lake's floor was muddy and grimy, oozing between their toes with every step they took, and tiny fishes came to nip at their knees just to see what they were and why they had invaded the crystalline waters. The boys splashed and played, dunking each other under the cool surface and coming back up with explosive bouts of laughter that carried over the air like a song.
When they came out and dried in the setting sun, Masaki couldn't help but notice that some of the light had faded from his brother's eyes, and though he would have liked to attribute it to a growing tiredness, he knew that something must be plaguing the other. “What is wrong, Kazu?” Masaki asked, draping an arm around the other boy's naked shoulders and drawing him nearer.
“It's nothing,” Kazu answered with a grin that was only half there.
Masaki could not leave it at that. “I know you better than any other in this whole wide world. I know when something is wrong and I know when all is right.”
Kazu sighed, knowing he could not escape, and a sad smile appeared on his lips. “It's just that... Panda-san wanted to come here, and I was hoping when we arrived, that he would be here. He's not though, and has not appeared to us the entire day.”
“Perhaps he has already been here and left?” Masaki queried, a hand poised at his chin in proper thought. “He did leave the cottage some time before us, so it would only make sense that he arrived before us, and therefore departed before us.”
Kazu shook his head. “He seemed so keen on fishing in the lake, that I think he would spend a great deal of time here.”
“Maybe he has gotten lost on his way?” Masaki tried again. “I do not know how well a panda's sense of direction would guide them. It might be that he simply went in the wrong direction.”
“Maybe so,” Kazu replied with lackluster.
Masaki ruffled the top of his brother's head, bringing their foreheads together in gentle affection. “Or maybe he has stopped to take an afternoon nap and did not wake again until sunset.”
Kazu laughed abruptly and it sounded wonderful to Masaki's ears. “That does sound like our Panda-san.”
“Then there is nothing to be worried about,” Masaki explained. They exchanged their smiles and lay back in the soft green grass, much nicer than the moss beds they were accustomed to. Cattails and Indian weeds swayed all around them as fireflies began to come out of their hiding places for a nighttime dance. “If you like,” Masaki began again, “we may wait here until Panda-san arrives, though it may take a few days with the number of naps he is prone to.”
Kazu shook his head. “No. You have something you are searching for, so let's not delay. I'd like to be back home before the end of summer - if Sho has not burned it down yet. Panda-san has promised to return there for me anyway.” His voice was soft and clear and it was only minutes later that he fell asleep, his heavy head rested against Masaki's shoulder.
When the moon had come and gone, but the stars remained high in the inky sky, the angel came again, shining down his light on Masaki's half-dozing figure. The taller boy sat up, careful to let Kazu's head fall lightly against the dewy tufts of grass, and turned with a calm look of adoration at the unmoving figure watching them some ways away.
Masaki stood slowly, careful not to alarm the angel or scare him away and, remembering that he was still unclothed, took his long shirt from the boulder and quickly pulled it over his head. His legs were naked from mid-thigh down and his feet uncovered as he glided through the wet, early morning grass, the weeds tickling his calves with every step forward. The angel never seemed to notice though, as he kept his gaze trained on Masaki's eyes and face, his expression honest and trusting.
Neither said a word as Masaki approached, eying the angel up and down as he walked all around it in an attempt to see if the angel was translucent from all sides or just the front. He could see through the angel, even to where Kazu still lay in his green bed with their blanket pulled up tight around his shoulders. His eyes came back up to meet the angel's and the ethereal creature seemed to gift him a knowing look, but never said anything. “You know...” Masaki began, examining the length of dark hair that rested on the angel's shoulders. “You look awfully familiar. Did you cut your hair recently? Do angels even cut their hair?”
The angel laughed, albeit silently, shaking his head in apparent amusement before he disappeared altogether, dimming gradually until Masaki could no longer see him.
That night, Masaki said a prayer: that the angel might watch over Kazu and Sho and Panda-san... and even the dwarf.