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Saiunkoku fic battle: begin!
Wow, what a fantastic set of prompts! 148 in total, most of which were spread fairly evenly between general/slash/het. You all rock.
The Saiunkoku fic battle is officially open for the next week. Quality is wonderful and nice, but there is no hiding the fact that fic battles place a greater emphasis on quantity. The aim is to get as many of the prompts completed in the next 7 days as possible, with banners being rewarded to those who do especially well, as well as a banner for the prompt that inspires the most responses. You can respond to a prompt that has already been written, and all responses to the prompts must be posted as a comment to this post. An example of how this works can be see here. If your story is too long to fit in one comment box, you add the second/third/forth part as a comment to the first. If you end up writing an insanely long story, only then can you post a link instead ^_^
When responding to a prompt, please make sure to put the prompt number in the subject line, along with any title/pairing information you'd like to give. Please do not forget to put the prompt number, as that is how we know exactly what prompt you are answering.
UPDATE: NEW PROMPTS ADDED THAT WERE ORIGINALLY MISSED BY ME.
General
1) Reishin and Kouyuu. Snow.
2) Shuuei and Kouyuu, talking about the past.
3) You Shuu and Kouyuu: You Shuu's attempts to deal with a child who has been brought up by someone as morally-wanting as Reishin.
4). Serian A/U superhero with superhero powers of your choice
5) Radio advert spot: Kijin endorses hair product of your choice
6). The Saiun Gang (your choice of members) in a story set in a traveling circus.
7) Shuuei and the perils of being the responsible older brother (w/Jyuusan-hime and/or Ryuuren)
8) Ensei and Yuushun during the early days of their partnership
9) Ryuuki + Shuuei: Overprotective Seiran
10) Suou and the fine art of slackerdom
11) Senka/Ou Ki/Kai Yu/Shouka. How they take the news of Kihime's death.
12) Reishin and Kouyuu, natural disaster.
13) Haku Raien with other characters (i.e. Koku Yousei, Shou-taishi, Sa-taiho, Sou-taifu), how his baby face lead to his determination of growing beard, how annoying people commented on his facial appearance.
14) Shuuei/Kou Kanshou with other U-uringun's soldiers. Mishap(s) in one of their on-duty days.
15) Ki Kouki/Ryou Anju/Ou Ki. Their past, how Kouki and Anju met, their impression of each other, and how they came to respect Ou Ki.
16) Kou Shuurei/To Eigetsu/Ran Ryuuren/Heki Hakumei. Their first 'gathering' at the imperial examination dorm, and how they spend the days until the examination day. From Hakumei's point of view.
17) Kou Reishin/Kou Kijin/Tei Yuushun/Kan Hishou/Kyou Bunchuu. Elaboration on 'the ghost in the toilet' rumour and how Reishin, Kijin, Yuushun, and Hishou exterminate the ghost. The setting is the exam of nightmare's days.
18) Kyou Bunchuu's collection of bitter-sweet memories (as noted by his vice in Ran province's governing office)
19) Juusan-hime/Ran Ryuuren. Their first meeting in Ran province.
20) Sai Shou (Sai Rin's twin brother). Taking imperial examination and the result.
21). Riku Seiga. Distrust, perhaps developing into a possibility of 'trust'.
22) Ryuki Shi. learns another instrument to woo Shurei with.
23) Sieran. Brother love and self-sacrifice.
24) Kouyuu. On the eve of his national examination.
25) Shuuei. friendship.
26) The main cast, any – in the world of any other manga
27) Eigetsu. first kiss anxiety.
28) Seiran. Enters a date auction.
29). Ryuki. Message in a bottle.
30) Shuurei & Ryuuki. Shuurei's thoughts on her first night alone in bed after leaving the harem. Ryuuki's thoughts on the same night.
31) Reishin and Seiran - on some things, like loving their brothers and protecting the family, they understand each other very well.
32) Would love to read the interaction between Raien & Yousei.
33) Reishin and Kouyuu, establishing boundaries.
34) Hakumei and Kouyuu: Hakumei fanboys Kouyuu
35) Shuuei and Seiran: Seiran pwns Shuuei
36) Ryuuki and Seiran: Seiran 'deals' with an assasin.
37) Ryuuki and Seiran: sparring with Kanshou and Bakuya, or anything involving the swords you please.
38) Ensei and Seiran: some bandits/raiders/misc. thugs have a very bad day
39) Ensei and Seiran: snarking at each other (gen or slash)
40) Any Cast: crack AU of your choice
41) Seiran and Ensei: Ensei meets (or meets again) Seien in an
147) Emperor!Seien AU (gen or slash)
42) Ryuuki, Seiran, and Shuurei: family cute
43) Shuurei, Shouka and Seiran: set during the wars of sucession
44) Any Cast: AU - Saiunkoku with Temeraire style dragons
45) Sa, Shou and Sai: something with the three of them happily scheming or mocking someone together.
46) Ensei and Seiran: something set while they were still with the satsujinzoku
47) Seiran and Ryuuki: Seiran makes obeisance to Ryuuki
48) Ryuuki, others: Ryuuki adopts a pet.
49) The reason why Reishin can't stand the Ran Triplets
50) Reishin, Yuri-hime, Kouyuu. Family outing.
51) Ryuuren and Shuuei, Eigetsu or Kokujun - curiousity, tolerance. Any rating
52) TanTan. Observes the people around Shuurei.
53) Shuuei and Kouyuu, earthquake.
54) Fantasy AU, magical powers!
55) Kouyuu centric. Something happens that reminds Kouyuu too much of his past, and Kouyuu being unable to deal with it. Either Kouyuu and Reishin/Kouyuu and Shuuei/Kouyuu and You Shuu gen if possible ^^.
56) You-Shuu realising that Kouyuu's past is a lot more difficult than he first assumed. Gen or slash.
57) Shuurei, drunkenness
58) Seiran – getting pwned by any or all of the following: Shoukun, Shouka, Shuurei, Ensei, Ryuuki, Kochou
59) Ryuuki and/or Shuurei, any of the main cast – in a modern urban fantasy setting. Think Charles deLint, Neil Gaiman, etc.
60) The main cast – either in a Victorian AU, or . . . Saiunkoku/Temeraire crossover. ::hides::
61) Ryuuki, Shuurei, main cast – modern day, as members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA).
62) Shuurei, Ryuuki, Seiran – having a quiet day in due to inclement weather (rain, snow, etc)
63) Ensei and Yuushun – becoming friends, with highlights of Ensei’s unorthodox governing style a plus
64) The Inestimable General Sou – enjoying his “retirement”
65) Hyou Riou Jr + Reishin; RE: Kouyuu : Confrontation; Uncovering a lost past
66) Jyuusan Hime: Dancing
67) Kouyuu and Shuuei meet as children, gen.
149) Ryuuki + Shuuei: Overprotective Seiran
150) Any sort of brotherly cute, take your pick from Seiran & Ryuuki, any of the Ran siblings and any of the Kou siblings, or anyone else that fits. Theme: no one bullies MY little brother
ADDED: MISSED ORIGINALLY:
139) Ran Shuuei & Shiba Jin - "You're late" - friendship/brotherly cute type of fic
140) Jyuusan-hime & Kouyuu meet for the first time
141) The Ran triplets learn that their youngest brother is going to receive the "Ryuuren" name
142) Seiran & past-volume 12!Shuuei - Trust - Gen
143) Kurou & child!Kouyuu - dark - hurt/comfort type of fic (Gen)
144) Shuuei & Shusui - welcome back (no smut please)
Yaoi
68) Seiran/Ensei, sexual frustration (yaoi would be nice plz)
69) Shuuei/Seiran, power struggle
70) Ryuuki/Seiran, temptation
71) Shuuei/Kouyuu + Ryuuren. Ryuuren decides to put Kouyuu through a series of tests to see whether he deserves Shuuei.
72) Reishin/Kouyuu, well meaning interference from friends.
73) Shuuei x Kouyuu. Highschool AU, sex on a desk.
74) Shuuei x Kouyuu. Cross-dressing. Shuuei mistakes Kouyuu for a female admirer.
75) Shuuei x Kouyuu. Experimenting during their exams.
76) Shuuei x Kouyuu A/U: the prom, fraternity dance, military officer's ball, your choice of a formal attire event.
77) Kouyuu and Shuuei, topping from the bottom (smut always appreciated!)
78) Shuuei/ Kouyuu smut. prompt corridoor (sp)
79) Kouyuu/Shuuei. First fight.
80) Reishin/Kouyuu - literal blindness (stealing shamelessly from cairnsy's example...)<-- that's not part of the promt.
81) Senka/Ryuuki - fatherly moment
82) Senka/Ryuuki - not so innocent fatherly moment
83) Youshuu/Reishin - on the subject of Kouyuu...
84) Youshuu/Kouyuu - on the subject of Reishin
85) Seiran/Ryuuki - blindfold, loyalty
86) Seiran/Ryuuki - sex in the archives
87) Reishin/Kouyuu - even the hardest stone can be worn down by water.
88) Shuuei/Kouyuu - trust
89) Shuuei/Kouyuu – dance
90) AU, Shuuei x prostitute!Kouyuu.
91) Any x Kouyuu. Non-con during his exam period. Bonus points for Shuuei and Kouyuu friendship.
92) Kouyuu/Shuuei. Red-light district
93) Ryuuren/Kokujun. Ryuuren gives Kokujun advise on women based on what he learned from his brother (s)
95) Shuuei/Ryuuki. Ryuuki convinces Shuuei and that he needs him. (Lemon flavour would be appreciated but not needed)
96) Seiran/Shuuei, proving your worth
97) High school or University AU - You-Shuu/Kouyuu, teacher's pet.
98) Ryuuren/Kouyuu - sexy, kinky exploration. A strangely experienced Ryuuren and a typically clueless Kouyuu.
99) You-Shuu/Kouyuu, picking up the pieces. Post volume 13.
100) kijin/reishin, pout
101) Shuuei/Kouyuu, forgiveness
102) You Shuu/Kouyuu. Making up for past mistakes. Smut would be nice!
103) Shuuei/Kouyuu. The exact moment when friendship becomes something more.
104) Kouyuu: something dark and smutty with a male partner.
105) One of Ryuuki and Seiran’s brothers/Kouyuu. Kouyuu has never been exactly clever when it comes to romantic entanglements.
Yuri
106) Kouchou/Shuurei, sex education
Het
107) Seiran/Kouchou, his first time
146) Barahime/Seiran, first love
108) Shuurei and Kijin ; manjuu buns
109) Reishin and Yuri ; flowers
110) Reishin and YUri ; in which Reishin makes a mistake.
145) Juusian-hime/Ensei fluff
111) Ryuuki/Shuuri A/U: run against each other for some kind of office (class president, mayor of wherever, dog-catcher... your choice)
112) Ryuuki loves Shuurei poem. Maybe a love letter? Must be a poem.
113) Kouyuu's first romantic encounter with a woman
114) Ryuki/Shurei. fun in the sun.
148) Ryuki/Shurei. flute playing wooing.
115) Ryuki/Shurei. what was whispered to Shuurei's ear at the end of 'If the edge it is, thousand villages'
116) Ryuki/Shuurei. In bed together. Smut, please.
117) Ryuki/Shuurei. AU. Future fic. Ryuki, archeologist, 500+ yrs in the future on a dig meets Shuurei along the way.
118) Ryuki/Shuurei. AU arranged marriage set in modern Saiunkoku.
119) Ryuuki/Shuurei - lay back and think of England Saiunkoku.
120) Kijin/Shuurei – beauty
121) Shuurei/Ryuuki - What if it had been Ryuuki who had been exiled instead of Seiran and taken into the Kou family?
122) Ryuuki/Shuurei. Bondage.
123) Seiran/Shuurei. Dirty magazines.
124) Shuurei/Ryuuki - What if it had been Ryuuki who had been exiled instead of Seiran and taken into the Kou family?
125) Kijin/Shuurei, mystery
126) Ryuuki/Jyuusan Hime + Shuurei : Something where Ryuuki and Jyuusan actually are happy together and this time it's Shuurei who regrets a lost opportunity at love.
127) Seiran/Jyuusan Hime : Opposites attract
128) Kourin vs. Ryuuren: back off @#$%!, he's MINE!!
129) Shouka/Shoukun. The first time they met (would be nice to emphasize on Shouka's hatred toward her because of Kihime's death, and how the hatred turn into love)
130) Ryuki/Shurei. flute playing wooing.
131) Unrequited Jyuusan-Hime/Kouyuu. It's not that Kouyuu isn't attracted to women, just that he's only ever fallen for one
131b) Ryuuki/Shuurei: some sort of happy ending scene. Preferably with adorable offspring(s) and friends and family.
94) Kanshou/Bakuya – adventures in Interpretive Demon Slaying. Either as swords, or from before they were swords.
Threesomes.
132) Seiran/Ryuuki/Shuurei - Ryuuki thinks he overstayed his welcome. He did not.
133) Ryuuki/Seiran/Shuurei, Brothers share
134) Reishin/Houju/Yuushun. Pre-series. Best Friends. Maybe more? Any rating.
135) Shuuei/Ryuuki/Kouyuu. Reunion after Kouyuu's recovery post novel 13. (Lemon flavoured would be appreciated but not necessary)
136) Ensei/Seiran/Kochou: Ensei and Kochou decide it's better to be partners than opponents in the wooing of Shi Seiran, too bad Seiran doesn't have a clue what's going on. (smut not necessary, though it would provide amusement)
Crossovers.
137) Any/Any: Crossover with Shounen Onmyouji. Diplomatic relations.
138) 1. Ryuuki+Youko; Saiunkoku/12 Kingdoms (Junni Kokki) Crossover; Youko gives helpful advice as a kindred spirit who became Queen unexpectedly to Ryuuki who became Emperor unwillingly.
The Saiunkoku fic battle is officially open for the next week. Quality is wonderful and nice, but there is no hiding the fact that fic battles place a greater emphasis on quantity. The aim is to get as many of the prompts completed in the next 7 days as possible, with banners being rewarded to those who do especially well, as well as a banner for the prompt that inspires the most responses. You can respond to a prompt that has already been written, and all responses to the prompts must be posted as a comment to this post. An example of how this works can be see here. If your story is too long to fit in one comment box, you add the second/third/forth part as a comment to the first. If you end up writing an insanely long story, only then can you post a link instead ^_^
When responding to a prompt, please make sure to put the prompt number in the subject line, along with any title/pairing information you'd like to give. Please do not forget to put the prompt number, as that is how we know exactly what prompt you are answering.
UPDATE: NEW PROMPTS ADDED THAT WERE ORIGINALLY MISSED BY ME.
General
1) Reishin and Kouyuu. Snow.
2) Shuuei and Kouyuu, talking about the past.
3) You Shuu and Kouyuu: You Shuu's attempts to deal with a child who has been brought up by someone as morally-wanting as Reishin.
4). Serian A/U superhero with superhero powers of your choice
5) Radio advert spot: Kijin endorses hair product of your choice
6). The Saiun Gang (your choice of members) in a story set in a traveling circus.
7) Shuuei and the perils of being the responsible older brother (w/Jyuusan-hime and/or Ryuuren)
8) Ensei and Yuushun during the early days of their partnership
9) Ryuuki + Shuuei: Overprotective Seiran
10) Suou and the fine art of slackerdom
11) Senka/Ou Ki/Kai Yu/Shouka. How they take the news of Kihime's death.
12) Reishin and Kouyuu, natural disaster.
13) Haku Raien with other characters (i.e. Koku Yousei, Shou-taishi, Sa-taiho, Sou-taifu), how his baby face lead to his determination of growing beard, how annoying people commented on his facial appearance.
14) Shuuei/Kou Kanshou with other U-uringun's soldiers. Mishap(s) in one of their on-duty days.
15) Ki Kouki/Ryou Anju/Ou Ki. Their past, how Kouki and Anju met, their impression of each other, and how they came to respect Ou Ki.
16) Kou Shuurei/To Eigetsu/Ran Ryuuren/Heki Hakumei. Their first 'gathering' at the imperial examination dorm, and how they spend the days until the examination day. From Hakumei's point of view.
17) Kou Reishin/Kou Kijin/Tei Yuushun/Kan Hishou/Kyou Bunchuu. Elaboration on 'the ghost in the toilet' rumour and how Reishin, Kijin, Yuushun, and Hishou exterminate the ghost. The setting is the exam of nightmare's days.
18) Kyou Bunchuu's collection of bitter-sweet memories (as noted by his vice in Ran province's governing office)
19) Juusan-hime/Ran Ryuuren. Their first meeting in Ran province.
20) Sai Shou (Sai Rin's twin brother). Taking imperial examination and the result.
21). Riku Seiga. Distrust, perhaps developing into a possibility of 'trust'.
22) Ryuki Shi. learns another instrument to woo Shurei with.
23) Sieran. Brother love and self-sacrifice.
24) Kouyuu. On the eve of his national examination.
25) Shuuei. friendship.
26) The main cast, any – in the world of any other manga
27) Eigetsu. first kiss anxiety.
28) Seiran. Enters a date auction.
29). Ryuki. Message in a bottle.
30) Shuurei & Ryuuki. Shuurei's thoughts on her first night alone in bed after leaving the harem. Ryuuki's thoughts on the same night.
31) Reishin and Seiran - on some things, like loving their brothers and protecting the family, they understand each other very well.
32) Would love to read the interaction between Raien & Yousei.
33) Reishin and Kouyuu, establishing boundaries.
34) Hakumei and Kouyuu: Hakumei fanboys Kouyuu
35) Shuuei and Seiran: Seiran pwns Shuuei
36) Ryuuki and Seiran: Seiran 'deals' with an assasin.
37) Ryuuki and Seiran: sparring with Kanshou and Bakuya, or anything involving the swords you please.
38) Ensei and Seiran: some bandits/raiders/misc. thugs have a very bad day
39) Ensei and Seiran: snarking at each other (gen or slash)
40) Any Cast: crack AU of your choice
41) Seiran and Ensei: Ensei meets (or meets again) Seien in an
147) Emperor!Seien AU (gen or slash)
42) Ryuuki, Seiran, and Shuurei: family cute
43) Shuurei, Shouka and Seiran: set during the wars of sucession
44) Any Cast: AU - Saiunkoku with Temeraire style dragons
45) Sa, Shou and Sai: something with the three of them happily scheming or mocking someone together.
46) Ensei and Seiran: something set while they were still with the satsujinzoku
47) Seiran and Ryuuki: Seiran makes obeisance to Ryuuki
48) Ryuuki, others: Ryuuki adopts a pet.
49) The reason why Reishin can't stand the Ran Triplets
50) Reishin, Yuri-hime, Kouyuu. Family outing.
51) Ryuuren and Shuuei, Eigetsu or Kokujun - curiousity, tolerance. Any rating
52) TanTan. Observes the people around Shuurei.
53) Shuuei and Kouyuu, earthquake.
54) Fantasy AU, magical powers!
55) Kouyuu centric. Something happens that reminds Kouyuu too much of his past, and Kouyuu being unable to deal with it. Either Kouyuu and Reishin/Kouyuu and Shuuei/Kouyuu and You Shuu gen if possible ^^.
56) You-Shuu realising that Kouyuu's past is a lot more difficult than he first assumed. Gen or slash.
57) Shuurei, drunkenness
58) Seiran – getting pwned by any or all of the following: Shoukun, Shouka, Shuurei, Ensei, Ryuuki, Kochou
59) Ryuuki and/or Shuurei, any of the main cast – in a modern urban fantasy setting. Think Charles deLint, Neil Gaiman, etc.
60) The main cast – either in a Victorian AU, or . . . Saiunkoku/Temeraire crossover. ::hides::
61) Ryuuki, Shuurei, main cast – modern day, as members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA).
62) Shuurei, Ryuuki, Seiran – having a quiet day in due to inclement weather (rain, snow, etc)
63) Ensei and Yuushun – becoming friends, with highlights of Ensei’s unorthodox governing style a plus
64) The Inestimable General Sou – enjoying his “retirement”
65) Hyou Riou Jr + Reishin; RE: Kouyuu : Confrontation; Uncovering a lost past
66) Jyuusan Hime: Dancing
67) Kouyuu and Shuuei meet as children, gen.
149) Ryuuki + Shuuei: Overprotective Seiran
150) Any sort of brotherly cute, take your pick from Seiran & Ryuuki, any of the Ran siblings and any of the Kou siblings, or anyone else that fits. Theme: no one bullies MY little brother
ADDED: MISSED ORIGINALLY:
139) Ran Shuuei & Shiba Jin - "You're late" - friendship/brotherly cute type of fic
140) Jyuusan-hime & Kouyuu meet for the first time
141) The Ran triplets learn that their youngest brother is going to receive the "Ryuuren" name
142) Seiran & past-volume 12!Shuuei - Trust - Gen
143) Kurou & child!Kouyuu - dark - hurt/comfort type of fic (Gen)
144) Shuuei & Shusui - welcome back (no smut please)
Yaoi
68) Seiran/Ensei, sexual frustration (yaoi would be nice plz)
69) Shuuei/Seiran, power struggle
70) Ryuuki/Seiran, temptation
71) Shuuei/Kouyuu + Ryuuren. Ryuuren decides to put Kouyuu through a series of tests to see whether he deserves Shuuei.
72) Reishin/Kouyuu, well meaning interference from friends.
73) Shuuei x Kouyuu. Highschool AU, sex on a desk.
74) Shuuei x Kouyuu. Cross-dressing. Shuuei mistakes Kouyuu for a female admirer.
75) Shuuei x Kouyuu. Experimenting during their exams.
76) Shuuei x Kouyuu A/U: the prom, fraternity dance, military officer's ball, your choice of a formal attire event.
77) Kouyuu and Shuuei, topping from the bottom (smut always appreciated!)
78) Shuuei/ Kouyuu smut. prompt corridoor (sp)
79) Kouyuu/Shuuei. First fight.
80) Reishin/Kouyuu - literal blindness (stealing shamelessly from cairnsy's example...)<-- that's not part of the promt.
81) Senka/Ryuuki - fatherly moment
82) Senka/Ryuuki - not so innocent fatherly moment
83) Youshuu/Reishin - on the subject of Kouyuu...
84) Youshuu/Kouyuu - on the subject of Reishin
85) Seiran/Ryuuki - blindfold, loyalty
86) Seiran/Ryuuki - sex in the archives
87) Reishin/Kouyuu - even the hardest stone can be worn down by water.
88) Shuuei/Kouyuu - trust
89) Shuuei/Kouyuu – dance
90) AU, Shuuei x prostitute!Kouyuu.
91) Any x Kouyuu. Non-con during his exam period. Bonus points for Shuuei and Kouyuu friendship.
92) Kouyuu/Shuuei. Red-light district
93) Ryuuren/Kokujun. Ryuuren gives Kokujun advise on women based on what he learned from his brother (s)
95) Shuuei/Ryuuki. Ryuuki convinces Shuuei and that he needs him. (Lemon flavour would be appreciated but not needed)
96) Seiran/Shuuei, proving your worth
97) High school or University AU - You-Shuu/Kouyuu, teacher's pet.
98) Ryuuren/Kouyuu - sexy, kinky exploration. A strangely experienced Ryuuren and a typically clueless Kouyuu.
99) You-Shuu/Kouyuu, picking up the pieces. Post volume 13.
100) kijin/reishin, pout
101) Shuuei/Kouyuu, forgiveness
102) You Shuu/Kouyuu. Making up for past mistakes. Smut would be nice!
103) Shuuei/Kouyuu. The exact moment when friendship becomes something more.
104) Kouyuu: something dark and smutty with a male partner.
105) One of Ryuuki and Seiran’s brothers/Kouyuu. Kouyuu has never been exactly clever when it comes to romantic entanglements.
Yuri
106) Kouchou/Shuurei, sex education
Het
107) Seiran/Kouchou, his first time
146) Barahime/Seiran, first love
108) Shuurei and Kijin ; manjuu buns
109) Reishin and Yuri ; flowers
110) Reishin and YUri ; in which Reishin makes a mistake.
145) Juusian-hime/Ensei fluff
111) Ryuuki/Shuuri A/U: run against each other for some kind of office (class president, mayor of wherever, dog-catcher... your choice)
112) Ryuuki loves Shuurei poem. Maybe a love letter? Must be a poem.
113) Kouyuu's first romantic encounter with a woman
114) Ryuki/Shurei. fun in the sun.
148) Ryuki/Shurei. flute playing wooing.
115) Ryuki/Shurei. what was whispered to Shuurei's ear at the end of 'If the edge it is, thousand villages'
116) Ryuki/Shuurei. In bed together. Smut, please.
117) Ryuki/Shuurei. AU. Future fic. Ryuki, archeologist, 500+ yrs in the future on a dig meets Shuurei along the way.
118) Ryuki/Shuurei. AU arranged marriage set in modern Saiunkoku.
119) Ryuuki/Shuurei - lay back and think of England Saiunkoku.
120) Kijin/Shuurei – beauty
121) Shuurei/Ryuuki - What if it had been Ryuuki who had been exiled instead of Seiran and taken into the Kou family?
122) Ryuuki/Shuurei. Bondage.
123) Seiran/Shuurei. Dirty magazines.
124) Shuurei/Ryuuki - What if it had been Ryuuki who had been exiled instead of Seiran and taken into the Kou family?
125) Kijin/Shuurei, mystery
126) Ryuuki/Jyuusan Hime + Shuurei : Something where Ryuuki and Jyuusan actually are happy together and this time it's Shuurei who regrets a lost opportunity at love.
127) Seiran/Jyuusan Hime : Opposites attract
128) Kourin vs. Ryuuren: back off @#$%!, he's MINE!!
129) Shouka/Shoukun. The first time they met (would be nice to emphasize on Shouka's hatred toward her because of Kihime's death, and how the hatred turn into love)
130) Ryuki/Shurei. flute playing wooing.
131) Unrequited Jyuusan-Hime/Kouyuu. It's not that Kouyuu isn't attracted to women, just that he's only ever fallen for one
131b) Ryuuki/Shuurei: some sort of happy ending scene. Preferably with adorable offspring(s) and friends and family.
94) Kanshou/Bakuya – adventures in Interpretive Demon Slaying. Either as swords, or from before they were swords.
Threesomes.
132) Seiran/Ryuuki/Shuurei - Ryuuki thinks he overstayed his welcome. He did not.
133) Ryuuki/Seiran/Shuurei, Brothers share
134) Reishin/Houju/Yuushun. Pre-series. Best Friends. Maybe more? Any rating.
135) Shuuei/Ryuuki/Kouyuu. Reunion after Kouyuu's recovery post novel 13. (Lemon flavoured would be appreciated but not necessary)
136) Ensei/Seiran/Kochou: Ensei and Kochou decide it's better to be partners than opponents in the wooing of Shi Seiran, too bad Seiran doesn't have a clue what's going on. (smut not necessary, though it would provide amusement)
Crossovers.
137) Any/Any: Crossover with Shounen Onmyouji. Diplomatic relations.
138) 1. Ryuuki+Youko; Saiunkoku/12 Kingdoms (Junni Kokki) Crossover; Youko gives helpful advice as a kindred spirit who became Queen unexpectedly to Ryuuki who became Emperor unwillingly.
And...um, I don't see my prompts in there.^_^; Did I submit them in the wrong format? (If so...darnation. Better luck to me next time, I guess...)
Majo
Adding them now ^_^. Certainly my fault, not yours.
106) Kouchou/Shuurei, sex education
Nervously, Shuurei paced the familiar room. She was unsure of how to act and what to say, despite her typically comfortable relationship with Kouchou. Today was different. She wasn’t here for an informal chat, or a sitting with a friend. She was here in a professional capacity, one that nobody save Kouchou knew about.
“I want to…” She blushed, trying to find a way to finish her thoughts without sounding stupid. A steady hand fell upon her shoulder. Looking at the delicate fingers as they clutched the fabric of her dress, Shuurei struggled not to blush even more. She trusted Kouchou. What happened here would never leave this room.
She watched as a young man was brought before them, naked except for the white fundoshi covering him. She tried not to stare, but curiosity got the better of her. She lived with two men and had never seen one near this point of nakedness.
“I know what you want. And really, it’s quite simple,” Kouchou soothed as she guided the girl toward the young man. “When you love somebody, you want to share that love. And when you share it, you want to make them feel good. I can teach you.” Snapping her fingers, the man’s fundoshi fell away, causing Shuurei to drop her jaw open. Closing her eyes, she squeaked and tried to turn away.
“Now Shuurei, you’ll never learn unless you open up a little. When you are to marry, you’re going to need to know this stuff. Some men like a woman who is a little shy in bed. Others like their women to be bold. That is why they come here. Come. You don’t have to touch. But watch and learn.”
She watched as Kouchou walked up to the young man, her eyes went wide as she watched Kouchou’s hand fist around the man’s nether regions, and she about died when she watched the man grab her friend. The actions seemed as if they would hurt, and momentarily she closed her eyes and blocked out the sound. The moaning and the grunting as the man gyrated unnerved her. She wasn’t so naïve as to not know that sex brought pleasure, but this seemed entirely too intimate. She didn’t understand how Kouchou could dismiss it so easily.
Butterflies filled her stomach as she watched Kouchou drop to her knees. At first she thought it was nervousness. Then she thought it was dread. But as Kouchou brought her lips closer to the man’s member, the fluttering within her grew stronger, and a warmth filled her. “This, Shuurei,” Kouchou instructed, her mouth a breath away from the man, “is how you please a man.”
Clothing hot and scratchy, she wanted to peel them off, and let the cool air hit her heated skin. “Kouchou-neesan,” she moaned, watching her friend. Unsure of what she was feeling, she was both shocked and exhilarated. “Help.”
Her friend looked up from the man and smiled. “Ah Shuurei. This is when being a woman is most pleasant.” Leaving the man she approached the girl, brushing her hand down the side of the girl’s neck. “Come. I will teach you what it’s like being a woman.”
Re: 106) Kouchou/Shuurei, sex education
*more Kouchou smex!!*
Prompt 67: Kouyuu and Shuuei meet as children, gen.
”Not if I kill you first!”
Large grey eyes watched shyly as the two older boys played out their mock sword battle with broken tree branches. Kou had never played such games. Frankly, he had never been interested. That was, not until today.
Kou was fascinated. The boy in blue was clearly winning the mock battle. His moves were fluid. Even though the boy in brown was obviously stronger and bigger, the boy with the dark blue robes seemingly danced out of harm’s way.
Kou didn’t think he’d seen anyone so beautiful in all his life. The boy’s black hair glistened in the sunlight, and the rosy cheeks drew Kou’s attention to his sparkling brown eyes.
“Hey, Shuuei! It looks like you have a little admirer!”
Kou’s eyes snapped to the boy in brown suddenly. “So his name is Shuuei,” Kou thought but his thoughts were interrupted by the boy in brown.
“Just what are you looking at, prissy-boy?” The boy in brown grinned wickedly. Fear gripped Kou’s chest. As much as he wanted to run, he was rooted to the spot.
“Answer me!” The bigger boy bellowed, pushing Kou to his feet. Instinctively Kou threw his arms up to shield his face as he fell backward on to the ground. He cringed for the blow that was sure to come, but was surprised when the blue robed boy stepped between him and the boy in brown.
“What’s your problem, Jian? He wasn’t doing anything!”
“He was staring, Shuuei!”
“Shuuei.” Kou thought to himself, ”His name is Shuuei.”
“There’s no rule against that!” Shuuei shouted.
“Do you know this kid?” Jian asked, “Because you sure seem to like him.”
Shuuei squared his shoulders and looked Jian in the eye. “Of course I do. He’s my best friend, so you better lay off. “
A few tense moments passed as the boy in blue and the boy in brown stared each other down. “Whatever,” Jian hissed, “You girls have a nice time playing house together!”
The boy in blue did not back down. “We’ll have more fun than if we were playing bully with you!” Shuuei spat.
Jian drew back his hand as if to hit Shuuei, but their impending scuffle was interrupted.
“Shuuei, are you fighting? What have I told you kids about fighting?”
The three boys looked up at the older man. It was clear to Kou from the matching blue robes that he must be Shuuei’s father.
“But Dad, Jian started it!” Shuuei whined.
“Go back to your father, Jian.” Shuuei’s father ordered. “And Shuuei, you’re in big trouble young man. I’ve told you what I think about fighting. Now say goodbye to your friend. We’re leaving.”
Shuuei spun around and offered his hand to help Kou up. Kou reached out hesitantly, and Shuuei grabbed his wrist and pulled him to his feet with a smile.
“You all right?” Shuuei asked.
“Sure. Thanks.” Kou’s face was flush with embarrassment.
“What’s your name?” Shuuei asked.
“Kou.”
“Shuuei! Get over here now!” Shuuei’s dad called out impatiently.
“See you around, Kou!” Shuuei clapped his hand on Kou’s shoulder then ran back to his father’s carriage. Kou watched in amazement as the carriage rolled away. Shuuei was looking out the window at him and smiling until an unseen hand pulled him away from the window.
Kou always remembered that meeting. Years later when he met Shuuei again, Shuuei had forgotten about their first meeting, but then Kou’s name had been changed. Li Kouyuu knew Ran Shuuei and he were best friends.
Re: Prompt 67: Kouyuu and Shuuei meet as children, gen.
Prompt 103: Shuuei/Kouyuu. The exact moment when friendship becomes something more.
“Again, Shuuei? We’ve been over this a hundred times!”
Shuuei leaned in closer to Kouyuu. “Well, we’re just going to have to go over it a hundred and one times, then.”
“Really, Shuuei, you’re ready for the exam.” Kouyuu’s voice betrayed more than a little annoyance at his friend’s insistence that he help him study. “Besides, you can read this stuff as well as I can. What do you need me for?”
“I learn better when you quiz me,” Shuuei stated plainly, “You know that, Kouyuu.”
Kouyuu sighed and rolled his eyes. “Okay, okay… I’ll quiz you, but after we take a break, okay?”
Shuuei grinned. “Sure thing, Kouyuu. Let’s go outside. It’s a perfect day.”
Kouyuu simply nodded and followed Shuuei outside. After a couple of minutes, they stopped and sat under a large peach tree. Kouyuu pressed his back against the bark and stretched his legs out in front of him. Absentmindedly he shrugged his shoulder against the bark to scratch an itch he couldn’t reach.
“Here, let me get that for you,” Shuuei reached around Kouyuu and began scratching vigorously. “Am I hitting the spot?”
Kouyuu closed his eyes in bliss. “Mmmm, yes, Shuuei. A little to the left.. ah yes. Right there… mmmmmm”
Kouyuu opened his eyes when the scratching stopped and looked at Shuuei thoughtfully. “Thank you, Shuuei, I needed that.”
“Hummm.” Shuuei sighed. Their eyes locked, and they both leaned in closer. Shuuei was the first to capture Kouyuu’s lips in a gentle kiss. Kouyuu pulled back, slightly startled, but then leaned in to kiss Shuuei in earnest.
Shuuei’s arms snaked around Kouyuu’s waist, pulling him closer. Kouyuu responded by running his fingers over Shuuei’s hair and pulling the ribbon holding it back free. Shuuei’s hair spilled over his shoulders, and Kouyuu, still firmly locked in Shuuei’s kiss, ran his tapered fingers through his ebony locks.
Shuuei moaned. Breaking free from Kouyuu’s lips, he turned his attentions to the hollow of Kouyuu’s throat. Kouyuu tilted his head to the side and allowed Shuuei full access, pulse racing. Shuuei’s hands rested on Kouyuu’s waist and he pulled back to look him in the eyes.
They sat there, staring into each other’s eyes quietly for a few moments until Shuuei finally broke the silence.
“Kouyuu,” he whispered, “do you..” the question trailed off as Shuuei forgot how to breathe.
Kouyuu had never seen Shuuei so vulnerable. His eyes softened, and he captured Shuuei’s lips in his own to express his acceptance. It was a perfect day.
Re: Prompt 103: Shuuei/Kouyuu. The exact moment when friendship becomes something more.
Prompt 68: Seiran/Ensei, sexual frustration (yaoi would be nice plz)
“You can’t be serious.” Ensei groaned.
“Ojou-san’s afraid of storms.” Serian answered, glaring over his shoulder. “You know that.”
Ensei fell back on the bed and shielded his eyes with his arm. He knew this was one argument he wouldn’t win. He knew that Serian thought of himself as Shuurei’s big brother. It wasn’t that he objected to his going to her. The act only stung because he had yet to tell her of their relationship.
Serian finished buckling his boot and sighed. He knew where the real argument was. “Shuurei wouldn’t understand, Ensei. It would break her heart.”
“Bullshit!” Ensei bellowed, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. Standing and putting his hands on his hips, he turned to face Serian. “Ojou-san is not as sheltered as you believe her to be. She’s known about Kouyuu and Shuuei for months now and she’s fine with that. I don’t see why we would be any different.”
Serian flexed his hands. “There’s no need to be difficult.”
“Difficult! I think you’re the one who is being difficult, ” Ensei began pacing the room, gathering his clothes as he went. “You know perfectly well Shuurei would be happy for us. That’s all she really wants is for you to be happy, Serian.”
“Who said I was happy?” Serian grumbled. “You flatter yourself.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Ensei fumed while pulling on his clothes. “I must have misunderstood your requests for me to stop as pleas for more. What exactly does ‘oh yes, fuck me harder, bastard’ mean, then?”
Serian leaped to his feet. Ensei knew he had crossed the line, but somehow he didn’t care. He cared about Shuurei, too, which was precisely why he didn’t want to keep his relationship with Serian a secret. He couldn’t bear to imagine how much it would hurt her if she were to find out from someone other than Serian.
Ensei didn’t bother to resist as Serian slammed him into the wall and put his hands around his neck. Pure instinct brought his hands up to Serian’s forearms as Serian squeezed, cutting off Ensei’s air supply. Ensei stubbornly willed himself to keep his eyes open and trained on Serian’s smoldering angry eyes. As darkness threatened to take Ensei, Serian loosened his grip and pushed him to the floor.
“Baka,” Serian muttered. The thunder rolled across the sky again and Serian snapped his head up, listening intently. Squaring his shoulders and sheathing his sword, he put his hand on the door. “I don’t care if you come with me. I’ll be back here after the storm passes.”
Ensei shook his head and looked at the now empty doorway. He hopped to his feet and pulled on his boots. Lightning flashed across the sky, and in that moment, Ensei stepped out into the rain. Serian was right. Shuurei was afraid of the storms.
(since I'm spamming already anyway)
Majo
Prompt 70: Ryuuki/Seiran, temptation
Serian gasped as the subject of his admiration tossed his hair and looked up to the grey skies Every droplet that slid from his face continued down a long pale neck and disappeared into the robes below. Entranced, Serian’s hand slid down to his own arousal. No, the desire would not be ignored today.
The male in the clearing was unaware that he was being watched. He loved the rain. It helped him think. It cleared his often cluttered mind. Absentmindedly he raked his tapered fingers through his soaked locks of hair. Serian gulped. Oh he was beautiful. He wished his hands were in that gorgeous wet hair.
Serian’s hand slipped under his waistband. He closed his fingers around his throbbing erection and gave a slow stroke. He had spied in on this clearing many times. He knew his presence would go undetected.
Serian bit his tongue to suppress the moan elicited by the friction of his callused palm to his erection. His eyes widened, then hooded in desire as the young man in the clearing began shrugging out of his outer robes. The robes underneath were thinner and left even less to the imagination.
Serian snapped to attention at the sound of a low moan nearby. Wildly he looked to the man in the clearing. No, Serian had not been discovered. Another slow moan betrayed another’s presence. He may not have been discovered, but he and the boy in the rain were not alone.
Serian put his hand on the hilt of his sword and quietly walked in the direction of the moan. Gently he lifted the underbrush. There before him Ryuuki knelt in the mud. His head was thrown back, his eyes were closed, and his hand was steadily moving under his robes.
Another low moan escaped Ryuuki’s lips and Serian nearly came undone. He dropped to his knees behind his brother and placed one hand firmly over his mouth to keep him from crying out. Pressing his own erection firmly into Ryuuki’s back, Serian kissed an earlobe.
“He is beautiful, isn’t he?” Serian whispered gruffly. Serian left his hand over Ryuuki’s lips as he slid his other hand down to rest on the fist holding his majesty’s erection. “Be quiet” he breathed into his brother’s ear and tugged on his hand in a silent request to continue with his ministrations.
Serian could feel Ryuuki’s pulse race as he released his hand from the emperor’s mouth. Slowly Ryuuki began stroking again. Serian kept his hand over Ryuuki’s, bucking his hips in tandem so his own need rubbed roughly into the small of Ryuuki’s back.
While the young man in the clearing paced and stretched, both brothers admired from their spot in the bushes. Their pants came quicker and quicker, and in a clap of thunder Ryuuki whined quietly and Serian slumped over his brother’s shoulder, spent.
The rain was slowing. The brothers’ clothes were caked in mud, and small leaves were caught in Ryuuki’s hair. Under their robes, their erections were receding and sticky hot ejaculate clung to their legs.
The brothers knew this would be as close as either would get to the young man in the clearing. This fruit was more forbidden than any other. Should they ever be discovered watching the young boy with the aqua-marine hair, Reshin would surely commission their deaths.
The brothers held their breath as Kouyuu pulled his blue robes on over his shoulders and sighed. Ryuuki bit his lip and Serain tightened his grip on Ryuuki’s waist as Kouyuu gave one last toss to his hair and left the clearing.
After a few moments Ryuuki turned to Serian and smiled sheepishly. “We love the rain,” he giggled.
Serian could not help but laugh in earnest. “You always did little brother.”
They did not speak of it, but they each knew the other would be here the next time it rained. As long as there was rain and Kouyuu was gorgeous and predictable, they would meet here again.
Re: Prompt 70: Ryuuki/Seiran, temptation
Prompt 8 & 63
8) Ensei and Yuushun during the early days of their partnership
63) Ensei and Yuushun – becoming friends, with highlights of Ensei’s unorthodox governing style a plus
*note: more 8 than 63 though, sorry.
Strange Bedfellows
**
After the National Exams (and perhaps even a bit before that), he had thought there was nothing that could surprise him anymore. There wasn’t much in the world that could top his two best friends, after all – Reishin, a man as poisonous as a viper, as arrogant as any emperor, and still stuck at the mental age of ten, and Houjou, his utter strangeness and brilliance only eclipsed by his unearthly beauty.
That was, until the emperor sent him to Sa Province.
**
His leg was starting to ache, and Yuushun wanted nothing more than to sit down. None of it showed on his face though—he had already determined that the Sa province ruled by the Sa clan was very much like the Imperial courts. The vultures hovered in silks and official’s outfits and watched for any sign of weakness to exploit. So instead he pasted his most serene expression on his face and waited.
A quiet murmur was starting up amongst the small crowd of regional officials, undersecretaries, and clan representatives. Spring was tapering off into summer, and the air was just a hair too warm, especially in the large ornate main hall of the Sa Province main regional offices.
“This is ridiculous,” one of the higher ranked clan representatives—one of the first cousins from the main family, if he remembered correctly—complained, fluttering his folding fan. “We have been waiting for hours now,” it was an exaggeration, Yuushun was fairly sure it had only been about an hour, “Are you sure they are to arrive today?”
The undersecretary in charge of arranging the ceremony looked a bit harassed, but kept his composure. “The honored Sa Taiho and the governor had sent a message from Kinka confirming their arrival. Please be patient a little longer.”
**
Whatever they were expecting from the Capital, and from the venerable Sa Taiho, Rou Ensei wasn’t quite it.
“Ah, careful there,” Yuushun clumsily tried to move out of the way, but Ensei had already side-stepped him, hauling two rather rough-looking (and roughed-up looking as well) men by the backs of their tunics. They were unceremoniously dumped in a pile of other such men. Yuushun felt that despite their short time together, he was definitely sharing a moment of camaraderie with the other officials, looking on with the same flabbergasted expression. Only Sa Taiho seemed his usual, composed self.
“Sorry for being late,” Ensei was saying as he dusted his hands off. “These guys really wanted us to not come, so I kinda had to get them out of the way first. But,” he grinned, irrepressible, “that just meant we got to make a dramatic entrance. That wasn’t so bad!”
Yuushun started to seriously worry about his future right about then.
**
“Governor Rou, here’s the document we discussed at the meeting today.”
Ensei looked up from where he was making strange obscure characters on the paper. “’Ensei’, Yuushun,” he said.
Yuushun managed to contain his instinctive bristle at being called by his first name by someone younger than him (and one who hadn’t passed the National Exams, no less!). Well, just because the boy couldn’t follow proper decorum didn’t mean that he would fall down to that level. He would show proper respect, to the boy’s title if not to the boy himself. “Governor Rou—“
“’En-se-i’,” Ensei said again.
“Governor Rou—“
And so it went.
**
After The Incident, Yuushun called Ensei by name. It was less by Ensei’s request and more because he felt that anyone that could push him into a cesspool really didn’t deserve proper respect. By the time Ensei got around to regaining that lost respect, they had both gotten used to the familiar forms of address.
**
Re: Prompt 8 & 63
73) Shuuei x Kouyuu. Highschool AU, sex on a desk.
His friend was so shy it amused him. Booksmart, Kouyuu was right at home at school. For Shuuei, it was just a place where he could spend time with his friend. While education was important, he didn’t nearly take it as seriously as Kouyuu did. In fact, despite the halls and classrooms being empty, he knew his friend was around somewhere. If Kouyuu wasn’t at home studying, which he wasn’t at this moment, then he was somewhere in the school.
Peaking through the gym doors, Shuuei let out a snort. Finding Kouyuu in the gym would be like having a random stranger walk up to him giving him $100. It was never going to happen. Rounding the corner, he peaked into the history room, pleased when spied the young man sitting alone through the small window.
A wicked grin crossed his face.
Opening the door, he slid in unnoticed, practicing the various martial art techniques of stalking and silence he had learned in his classes. Sneaking up behind Kouyuu, he leaned in, pressing his mouth against his friend’s neck, scraping his teeth along the skin. “Didn’t anybody ever tell you that it’s always better to study with a friend?”
A hand came up to swat him away in mock irritation. “Go away,” Kouyuu nearly growled, trying to avoid the distraction.
“Why? You have so much more fun when I’m around.” He glanced down the books, the grin widening as he read the titles. “Come now, Kouyuu. Hasn’t anybody told you that you can learn more about anatomy through hands on practice than reading about it in a book?”
A red blush crossed Kouyuu’s cheeks as he slammed the book shut. “Go away.” Even as he spoke, he cleared the desk of his belongings and leaned forward.
“I think you’re saying that for posterity’s sake now.” Grabbing Kouyuu by the collar, he pulled his friend forward, pressing his lips to his. Gaining entrance, his tongue swept the inside of Kouyuu’s, dominating it. His friend tasted slightly of chocolate, his favourite after school treat. “I think it’s time for a one on one lesson,” he stated, pulling back and bringing his friend to his feet. His hands made quick work of Kouyuu’s pants, the sound of them sliding to the ground echoing across the room. Feeling a hand pushing him forward, Kouyuu found his face pressed pressed into the wood of the desk. His gut clenched tightly in anticipation, his cock straining against his belly.
“Shuuei,” he moaned, feeling his lover’s rod press against his ass. They’ve been playing this game for two years now, and he didn’t think he’d ever get used to the excitement he felt when Shuuei found him ‘studying’. Pushing backward, he let his lover work, enjoying the sound of Shuuei’s grunts and slapping skin echo around him. Only him, he thought. Only Shuuei would be allowed to do this. Lifting his head he looked at his friend, admiring the way the cords of his neck strained against Shuuei’s skin as he thrust into him.
And the next moment he saw nothing at all.
Re: 73) Shuuei x Kouyuu. Highschool AU, sex on a desk.
Prompt 135: Shuuei/Ryuuki/Kouyuu. Reunion after Kouyuu's recovery post novel 13.
Every morning, Shuurei, Serian, and Shouka would report to their posts at the court, and Kouyuu spent many hours in the Kou garden. Shuurei had insisted that the sun would make him happier, but Kouyuu felt that all his sitting in the sun had accomplished was sunburn across his normally pale cheeks. He’d have rather returned to work, but Shuurei insisted that he not return until the doctors said he was ready, and Kouyuu, like everyone else around Shuurei, could not deny her.
Even so, Kouyuu’s depression seemed to worsen. He hid this successfully from Shuurei and Serian, but Shouka was not as easily fooled. One night Shouka visited Kouyuu after the others were asleep. He was not surprised to find Kouyuu awake and sitting in the chair near the window.
“Kouyuu,” Shouka began, “I know that all you really want to do is go back to work, but the doctors aren’t going to let you until you at least appear happier.”
Kouyuu sighed heavily. “I know, Shouka-sama. I just need to be useful somewhere.”
“I know.” Shouka smiled. “So tomorrow, after the household leaves for the court, I want you to clean up the sitting room. Go out into the garden; get some flowers to put on the tables in there. There are vases in the kitchen you’re free to use. Do you think you can do that for me?”
For the first time in days Kouyuu smiled. “I won’t let you down,” he replied.
The next morning Kouyuu rose early and ate breakfast with Shouka, Serian, and Shuurei. Kouyuu watched the three leave in anticipation. Tying back his hair, he went to work. He was exhausted, but enjoyed the activity. For hours he dusted and scrubbed the surfaces of the house.
Just before the others were expected to return, he went to the kitchen and found a few colorful vases and went out to the garden to find some suitable blooms. He cut a few tulips and went back inside. When he returned to the sitting room, he gasped in surprise. Shuuei and Ryuuki were there, smiling.
Shuuei was the first to break the silence. He took the vase from Kouyuu and placed it on the table. “Lovely flowers, Li Kouyuu.”
Kouyuu was speechless. He looked back and forth from Shuuei to Ryuuki and back again. A lump rose in his throat. Again, Shuuei crossed the distance between them and placed his hands on Kouyuu’s flushed face. “We’ve missed you,” he murmered, and placed a chaste kiss on Kouyuu’s lips.
That small of touch unleashed a flood of emotions that Kouyuu had not been able to express since he woke from his trance. Warmth flooded his body and he threw his arms around Shuuei in abandon. He closed his eyes and buried his head in the crook of Shuuei’s neck. His tears came in torrents, soaking Shuuei’s robes.
At first Kouyuu did not notice when Ryuuki’s hands fell on his shoulders and began rubbing in slow easy circles. As Kouyuu’s tears receded, he became aware of the warmth behind him.
“Your majesty,” Kouyuu whispered.
“We missed you, too.” Ryuuki said quietly and lay his cheek in between Kouyuu’s thin shoulder blades. “We’re sorry we weren’t able to help you.”
Kouyuu took one arm from around Shuuei’s neck and reached over his shoulder to cover the emperor’s hand with his. Shuuei’s eyes met Kouyuu’s and Shuuei smiled. Shakily he turned to face Ryuuki.
Ryuuki’s eyes shone with unshed tears. Without a word, Kouyuu kissed him. As Ryuuki kissed back fervently, Shuuei kept his arms around Kouyuu’s waist and nibbled on Kouyuu’s neck from behind.
Outside Shoka looked in on the three and smiled. It was right to bring Ryuuki and Shuuei here. Now the three would never be alone again.
Edited at 2008-09-02 05:19 am (UTC)
Re: Prompt 135: Shuuei/Ryuuki/Kouyuu. Reunion after Kouyuu's recovery post novel 13.
Thanks.
3) Brotherly cute, Kou brothers.
Rat-a-tat. Tat. Tat-tat-rat-a-tat. Tat.
Young boys of noble background (but not of actual importance) spill out of the classroom and race happily past Reishin. Reishin’s gaze narrows in on each face, his foot still tapping (tat-tat. Rata-rata-rata-tat), but he says nothing as he watches each of them go by. He does glare, however, taking secret delight in the way a simple expression can make the small boys bow their heads submissively as they pass him. It’s only fair that Reishin enjoys himself while he waits, after all.
Rat. A. Tat.
His glare becomes a smirk when the boys he has been waiting far too long for come finally into view. He supposes they are six or seven, only a few years younger than Reishin himself is but without any of the style and natural intelligence that Reishin so obviously possesses. He eyes them distastefully as they swing their book bags and laugh together about something (Reishin has a fair idea exactly who they are giggling about), although they come to a complete stop when they spy who is waiting for them at the front gate.
Reishin smirks.
The boys blanch.
“If you can give me even one reason why I shouldn’t pummel all three of you, I might only break some of your bones,” Reishin says indifferently as he begins to roll his long sleeves back, his gaze never leaving the bothersome boys.
“We, we can give you money, Reishin-sama!” the runty one offers in a panic, his eyes wide and pleading. Pathetic.
He scoffs. “Please, like money interests me at all.” He has as much money as he needs, as well as more interesting ways to ‘acquire’ it if prefers. “Anything else you’d like to say?”
Rata-rata-rata. Tat.
“You don’t understand, if Kurou wasn’t so annoying we wouldn’t have to beat him up!” the one in the middle protests, his hand moving in wild circles that Reishin finds hypnotic.
“Of course Kurou is annoying,” he lectures dismissively once he manages to snap his attention away from those twirling, dipping hands. “He’s an idiot, girly-boy who still plays with dolls. He never leaves people alone, he acts like a poor, abused puppy, and he’s always getting in the way.” Reishin’s frown settles deep into his forehead. “He is the most useless younger brother in the world.” Really. Reishin thinks Kurou might not even be a Kou at all, he’s certainly nowhere near as clever or wonderful as Reishin and Shouka are. “Boys like that should be beaten up,” Reishin adds, almost as an after thought. “Or at the very least, they should be locked in cupboards.”
For a moment, the silly boys look hopeful.
“Of course,” Reishin continues slowly, “they should only be beaten up by their older brothers. No one else.” He smiles then, a cold little smile that freezes all three of the boys to the spot. “Now, which one of you would like to volunteer to be beaten to a pulp first?”
It isn’t fair, Reishin scowls to himself as Shouka-sama gently dabs some ointment onto his cheek. He knows how these things are supposed to go – a declaration of war, a punch, kick, hair pull or two, and a sweeping victory over an odious foe. Nowhere in that formula is there any mention of defeat.
“There were three of them,” Shouka reminds him sympathetically. Reishin’s scowl deepens. He doesn’t tell Shouka – darling, understanding Shouka – that while there had indeed been three of the little terrors, it had only taken one punch to send Reishin sprawling to the ground.
Well, if that’s the way they want to play it …
The next day he takes Houju with him.
Re: 3) Brotherly cute, Kou brothers.
Prompt: Ryuuki/Shuurei – modern day, mishap with bubble bath
Shuurei tapped her foot impatiently at the check-out counter at Bed Bath and Beyond. She had searched high and low, and finally found the exact apple bubble bath her girlfriend Kouchou liked.
She was happy that she had flexible hours, but that fact did not stop her from being impatient. She was actually on her way to a lunch date when she spotted the elusive brand in the storefront window. She knew that stopping by the shop would make her late, but Ryuuki would understand. Besides, he could never stay angry at her long anyway.
As if on cue, her cellular phone began vibrating the moment the cashier handed Shuurei her change. Rolling her eyes, she flipped the little pink phone open. “Ryuuki, I’m sorry I’m running late!”
“It’s okay, dear.” Ryuuki’s voice sounded tired. “We’re still on for lunch at the park downtown, aren’t we?”
“Sure thing, babe.” Shuurei giggled “Our normal spot?”
“Yup.”
“I’m already there!” Shuurei snapped her phone shut before Ryuuki could say anything more.
Ryuuki was waiting, as he always did, with her favorite lunch: a corn dog and a diet soda. Shuurei dropped her bag on the edge of the fountain and took a seat. Kicking off one shoe, she rubbed her foot through a nylon stocking.
“Your corndog awaits, my lady,” Ryuuki bowed playfully. Shuurei took the little bag and drink from his hands.
“Ryuuki, I don’t know what I would do without you, love.”
“So, when are you going to marry me, sweet sweet Shuurei?”
Shuurei laughed lightly. “You’d never want me as a wife, Ryuuki, trust me.” This argument had been played out many times before. “Besides, aren’t we a great team as friends already?”
Ryuuki didn’t laugh. Instead, he redirected. “So, what kept you?”
Shuurei hummed and held up a finger while she continued chewing the bite she had just taken of the corndog. While she chewed, she rummaged through her bag and produced the apple scented bubble bath.
“This,” she said and held up the bottle for Ryuuki to see, “do you know how many stores I’ve checked for this stuff? It’s Kouchou’s favorite scent, and her birthday is Friday. I couldn’t believe it when I finally found it on my way here.”
“Bubblebath?” Ryuuuki took the bottle from Shuurei and studied it.
“Oh yes,” Shuurei explained, “Kouchou’s been having a beast of a time finding the stuff. Apparently it’s seasonal. It smells awesome. Hey! Don’t do that!”
Ryuuki had unscrewed the cap and was taking a whiff of the scented contents. When he heard the insistence in Shuurei’s voice, a devious grin spread across his face.
“And why not?” Ryuuki insisted and raised the bottle over his head.
Shuurei was easily a foot shorter than Ryuuki, but that did not stop her from trying to retrieve the bottle. “Because you’re going to spill it, that’s why. Give it back!”
“And what if I don’t?” Ryuuki laughed, circling and dodging her attempts to grab the bottle.
“Ryuuki!” Shuurei shrieked, jumping for the bottle again, only this time she pushed Ryuuki. His knees buckled when the back of his legs connected with the fountain’s low wall and the both of them toppled into the water. The bubble bath, still opened, slipped from Ryuuki’s grasp.
Ryuuki and Shuurei flailed in the water, desperately trying to get out of the water. Soon they were both sitting in the shallow water covered in the nicest smelling froth. The fountain pumps were an effective bubble maker, and the sides of the fountain were overflowing.
Shuurei folded her arms across her chest. She was furious with Ryuuki. “This is your fault!” she hissed.
Ryuuki only laughed. “You’re right, Shuurei. This stuff does smell good.”
(Anonymous)
Re: Prompt: Ryuuki/Shuurei – modern day, mishap with bubble bath
1) Reishin and Kouyuu. Snow.
He looked at the boy's pale face with his frost tinged lashes and blue lips and wondered if he would be in time to save the boy's fingers and toes from irreparable damage. He had to hurry.
*~*~*
"You should start wearing your winter cloak."
Kouyuu stopped at the door to look back at Reishin sama before scrutinising the courtyard. The first of the winter's snows had barely begun with most of snowflakes melting and turning to slush the moment it touched the floor. Really, good boots, his autumn cloak and an umbrella if the snow turned to rain was all he needed.
"Take your winter cloak, Kouyuu."
Kouyuu would have protested the need, except Reishin sama was now at the door and offering the cloak to him. The expression in Reishin sama's eyes always killed any objections Kouyuu might have had when this scene played out with the beginning of every winter.
Sighing in resignation, Kouyuu shrugged off his autumn cloak and handed it to a waiting servant while he accept the fur lined one offered to him. Reishin sama only turned away to resume whatever he had been engaged in earlier once he observed Kouyuu settling the winter cloak over his shoulders.
As he watched the man walk away, Kouyuu has to wonder again why Reishin sama seemed to hate the cold and the snow so much.
Re: 1) Reishin and Kouyuu. Snow.
50) Reishin, Yuri-hime, Kouyuu. Family outing
To her great surprise, Reishin objected quite strenuously when she quietly brought it up to the brothers out of earshot to Kou. And Yuri was admittedly suspicious about his claim that he now conveniently had an instant family with her as his wife and a ready child for a son without all the trouble and mess of dealing with babies and unintelligible toddlers first.
However, seeing Reishin with the newly name Kouyuu throughout the festival day, then now carrying a quite exhausted boy to the tea house for dinner changed Yuri's mind. It reminded Yuri greatly of how Shouka often treated Reishin when they were growing up. And Yuri was glad that Reishin learnt from that example rather than how he had once treated Kurou.
The boy was going to be spoiled rotten, but Yuri also thought Kouyuu deserved it to make up for his difficult early childhood.
Re: 50) Reishin, Yuri-hime, Kouyuu. Family outing
Thanks.
46) Ensei and Seiran: something set while they were still with the Satsujinzoku
They never spoke at the end of these sessions. Both recognized the uselessness of words anyway.
The only thing which could have helped would be for someone to stop these games. However, there were very few in the Satsujinzoku who had the skill or power to challenge Meishou. And Meishou shared his toy with any who had the matching desire to play with the newest member of Satsujinzoku. For now Ensei could only pick up the pieces and tend to his friend's injuries with the end of these sessions.
He often wished Seiran would just allow himself to cry. But the boy apparently thought tears were as useless as words. And eventually, perhaps it had helped his case to bore the men who preferred a crying, screaming lover writhing beneath them, instead of the limp unresponsive body he presented. Still, Meishou was apparently more obsessed with Seiran's looks than the rest of the Satsujinzoku put together.
When it came their time for revenge, Ensei was sure Seiran would enjoy it immensely.
Re: 46) Ensei and Seiran: something set while they were still with the Satsujinzoku
65) Hyou Riou Jr + Reishin; RE: Kouyuu : Confrontation; Uncovering a lost past
Reishin did not even deign to notice the child standing before his table in the deserted office. Riou did really know better than to try and get a response when even the Minister of Finance failed, but he still couldn't stay away.
"Weren't you ever curious about Li dono's origins?" He repeated persistently.
It was only then that Reishin sama turned at last to lay a lazy glare at his visitor. Riou almost took a step back from the unexpected heat of fury and uncompromising accusation behind the cold eyes.
Riou knew than that Reishin sama was more aware of Kouyuu's past than anyone would have guessed. Perhaps he knew even more than was revealed to Riou himself.
Whatever the case, Riou could also see in Reishin sama's look a warning as well. One which he knew he'd obey without question even though he was eaten up with curiosity to know how Kou-Ani would react to be told he had a younger brother. The Head of the Kou Clan promised a fate worse than death in his gaze. And Riou was far too young and lacking in confidence to dare challenge him.
Re: 65) Hyou Riou Jr + Reishin; RE: Kouyuu : Confrontation; Uncovering a lost past
we need more Riou and Reishin interaction luv!!!
XD
come on Reishin give lil Riou a big hug!!! XDDDDDDD
87) Reishin/Kouyuu - even the hardest stone can be worn down by water.
So it was a great astonishment to him that he took to little Kou so well. The boy had cried at their first meeting. And ordinarily, Reishin would have cringed at the prospect of dealing with a snot nosed walking faucet. However, something in the child's eyes had captured his soul and he found himself using the previously stolen handkerchief to wipe the tears from Kou's face as he tore at the bonds holding the child to the tree.
It hadn't even bothered him when the boy initially struggled to escape from him before Reishin managed to wrap his cloak around them both. Nor was he annoyed when Kou finally settled against him with his cold nose nestled against his neck and quite obviously dripping with snort.
Reishin could only suppose that the unusually solemn eyed child appealed to him because he was nothing like the usual exuberant, giggling, empty headed ignorants which he was used to seeing about the city. Little Kou appeared to have substance and a quiet dignified intelligence in him which seemed far more fitting in someone three times his age.
In other words, Reishin suspected that Kou was a child he could love. And... Reishin found himself wanting to be the one responsible for protecting this child and ensuring he never had cause to cry again.
(Anonymous)
Re: 87) Reishin/Kouyuu - even the hardest stone can be worn down by water.
113) Kouyuu's first romantic encounter with a woman
"Kouchou sama! Really! There's no need to go to this much trouble!" The boy was jumpier than a scalded cat and awfully loud in his nervousness.
The Head of the Kogaro and one of the most influential underhead in Saiunkoku's underground gave Kouyuu a warm hearted smile. Really, sometimes she wanted so much to hit the young Ran upside the head for his obtuseness.
"Kouyuu dono, please." She gestured to the tea table with the cups of still steaming tea. "Sit with me and let us talk."
The aqua haired scholar moved stiffly, but at last did take the offered seat and accepted the cup of tea from her. "Kouchou sama. Really, I am sorry to have inconvenienced you--"
"In truth, you have had more experience with a woman than you care to admit, haven't you?" She cut to the chase almost making Kouyuu drop the tea cup with her forth rightness.
At first, Kouyuu's first instincts were apparently to deny her suggestions. However, Kouchou managed to catch Kouyuu's eyes and let him see the understanding and kindness there. He took a deep breath and finally relaxed then.
"My Lady, your famed reputation for astuteness and observation is clearly too modest." He told her quietly. She reached a hand over to grip his in gentle support. "I-- my experiences with men were just as extensive."
Kouchou's hand tightened over Kouyuu's with this heart breaking, unexpected admission. "No one, will ever hear it from me-- Kouyuu."
They sat like that for a long moment in comfortable silence until Kouyuu finally looked up to meet her eyes. “This is…” He heaved a big sigh. “I’ve always given-- Kouchou sama…”
“I’ve been privileged to be on the receiving end on occasion.” She admitted smiling at him in understanding. “But I also enjoy giving, Kouyuu.”
“Kouchou sama—“ He looked down again before looking at her shyly from beneath his lashes.
“Just ‘Kouchou’, Kouyuu.” She rose gracefully from her seat and pulled him along as well. “Are you sure you are ready to learn the pleasures of giving and receiving tonight? We don’t have to rush. We needn’t report what we’re really doing to Ran Shogan.”
A wry grin painted Kouyuu’s lips. “He can be insufferable at times, but he does believe I need to loosen up. And—you really are probably the best person around who will understand my—trauma and fears and how to address them.
“And I do understand it can be a pleasure and enjoyable between consenting partners.”
“Are you truly consenting, Kouyuu?” Kouchou looked at him worriedly. “Do you really feel no pressure to be with me tonight?”
Kouyuu looked at the older woman for a long moment before he leaned towards her give to her a chaste kiss on the lips. “Yes, my Lady. And who knows?” He gave her a wicked grin. “Maybe I haven’t forgotten everything and could teach you a thing or two.”
She lightly slapped him on the arm for his challenge. Yes, the scholar did sound like his head was clear and he was ready to put his past behind him. This could turn out to be very enjoyable night. Kouchou was going to look forward to facing Ran Shogan in the morning and refusing to share anything of what went on between her and Li Kouyuu.
Re: 113) Kouyuu's first romantic encounter with a woman
82) Senka/Ryuuki - not so innocent fatherly moment
Oh gods, I'm going to the Special Hell. At least I stopped before it got to be zombie porn. Even zombies don't like zombie porn.
************************
The only remaining Prince came as he was bid, secretly, to stand before the Emperor. He shivered, just barely, under the brush of the chill breeze of early spring, and the Emperor's thinned lips tightened. But the Prince did not flinch under his father's assessing gaze, and he was unmarked. That no scar of any sort marred the smoothness of his skin or wrote another's mark over muscle and whipcord tendon was a silent testament-- this one had some worth, well-hidden though it might be.
"When I am gone, he will come for you. I will not have him take you unprepared."
The golden eyes narrowed, and suddenly he was looking through time at a mirror. "I've been bedded."
The Emperor snorted, scornful, and rose. "Who said anything about bedding? Come."
Each step he took was slow, deliberate, controlled. His body was failing, but his will was purest steel. The room beyond was splendid but bare, impersonal, with all the marks of humanity and personality long since eradicated. The Prince's eyes flickered over the unpadded chairs, the empty walls, the map inlaid in stone in the floor, the uncushioned couch.
"Tomorrow, or the next day, it will be my death bed," the Emperor said. "And perhaps, some day, it will be yours."
He gestured imperiously, and the Prince did as he was bid and removed each successive robe from his shoulders. Age had only hardened him, but his sword arm hung withered and useless at his side. The curse scrawled dark over the puckered flesh and exposed lines of bone, with coiling tendrils creeping across his chest under the skin to claim his heart. Aside from his father's brand and despite years of battle, it was the only imprint he bore.
The Prince made no effort to hide his stare, and the Emperor laughed without humor. "Yes, I bear another's mark."
"What is it?" the Prince asked.
"Each of my sons I have saved, but only once. You wasted my largess early, drowning yourself in a fish pond. Your second eldest brother waited until he was nearly grown. With this arm I took his curse."
"It's killing you."
"And soon, it will succeed." The Emperor raised the withered limb and flexed the skin-and-bone claw of his hand between them. "Does it disgust you?"
The Prince took the putrefying arm in his hands without hesitation and raised its rotten flesh to his lips. "This arm," he said, "is the part of you I love."
"Lie down," the Emperor commanded.
He was not gentle, but never once during the long night did the Emperor-in-waiting cry out.
Re: 82) Senka/Ryuuki - not so innocent fatherly moment
I adore how messed up your Ryuuki is. Always, always, he seems so normal and then something happens to show how completely NOT normal he is.
Senka scares me, but that's the norm.
I'd say this is only a tiny bit scarier than the zombie!Bunny. But that's just me. XD
Majo (Who will not be using the Ryuuki <3 icon cuz that'd be just wrong...)
Still alive, the emperor thought as his eyes flew open. It was always Ryuuki’s first thought on waking; it was always tinged with surprise. He was alive. His heart was beating. He could hear himself breathing. No matter what had just been happening in Ryuuki’s dreams, when he opened his eyes he was alive and whole. These night terrors were never going to fade, but there was a bit of comfort to be had on waking, because waking meant he had survived the darkness.
Of course, there had been more comfort when he shared Shuurei’s bed. A smile curved his mouth, remembering how incensed she had been upon waking up and finding herself cradled in his arms. She was so cute when she was fuming, her eyes flashing and cheeks pink.
Asleep, all that animation left her; she slept like the dead and looked like a porcelain doll. But unlike a doll she was warm in his arms: warm, a little heavy and extremely real. Some days she seemed more real than anyone else in the world. There were no nightmares when he slept with Shuurei. Something about Shuurei’s realness dispelled his dreams.
The wind sought him through the window, raising the bed sheets just a bit, like sails. He could imagine himself sailing, blessedly alone, on a great empty ocean devoid of people pawing and plucking at him, demanding he become something he hated. Ryuuki closed his eyes and saw an image of Shuurei standing on the waves, her arms stretched out to him. She smiled and said, “Come and sleep, you idiot emperor.”
Still alive, the idiot emperor thought, and took the comfort dream-Shuurei offered him. It would have to be enough.
At least till he could get Shuurei into his bed again.
He would work on that in the morning.
***
Kou Shuurei could not get comfortable. Her pillow was too hard. Her sheets were too scratchy. The moon was too bright. The wind was too noisy, sighing outside her window, rattling the skeletons of the dead cherry trees in the courtyard.
Also, the bed seemed weirdly big and empty.
The thought that Ryuuki was not in the bed sidled through her mind, but she shoved it aside. As if it mattered that Ryuuki was not in the bed! Certainly she did not miss him, that stupid selfish emperor. He clung like a limpet all night long, and he breathed too loudly, and his hair fell all over everything.
And he stole kisses. Right in front of other people, how brazen! And humiliating! Shuurei’s fingers traced the contours of her lips. Her first kiss, too.
It was only natural that she would think of him. They had been through so much together. And he was trying so hard, really trying for the first time to become a good emperor and a good man. As a man, he had earned her respect. Despite his troubled past, he was always kind. Despite his fears, he was faithful and strong.
Shuurei was beginning to believe that he would be an emperor she could respect as well. And if that was the truth, he needed a great lady for a wife—one whose beauty and intelligence would be a match for him in every way.
So in leaving the harem, she had done what was best for Ryuuki. It was better for her to be here, living her small unremarkable life, taking care of Father and Seiran, teaching the children. It was better to work hard for the good of the community.
Despite herself there were times she hoped for more. Being at court had revived her dream of being an official. It had been good to help the emperor. It would be better, so much better, to join in the great work of creating a country where everyone could live in peace and safety.
She would work on that in the morning.
147) Emperor!Seien AU (gen or slash)
It had been quick, at least. Not long and drawn out as their father's death had been, but long enough for Ryuuki to make his final request of his aniue known - long enough for them to say goodbye once more.
And so now, a month later, here he was - in the one place he swore never to be. An unwanted crown on his head and his little brother cold and dead, alone once more. He had failed Ryuuki so many times.
****
Shuurei peeked around the corner of the archive door, unsure of what she would find. So much had changed in the past month, so many things she thought were true and solid were now nothing more than a facade of lies.
Seiran sat in the moonlight, his features strained and drawn tight. Swathed in the heavy royal robes, he looked ...right...and for the first time it had all made sense to her. This is where he belonged, not as a simple guard, or even her babysitter. Seiran had always been destined for more, if only she had known how much more.
****
A quiet knock on the archive door brought him out of his reverie. Shuurei stood in the entrance holding a basket, her eyes red with deep circles underneath. He wondered if he looked as miserable as she did.
There was an unspoken tension between them as she stood unmoving, taking in his new appearance.
"Your Majes-"
"Stop. Please My Lady, you are to never address me as such in private, I beg of you," he pleaded, "I won't be able to stand it if you call me that. Please, call me by my name," he said.
She hesitated for a moment. Even though this was now the Emperor, he was still her Seiran. She hadn't wanted to bear it either.
Giving him her best smile, she held up the basket. "Seiran, I've brought sweet buns and kanro tea. Would you like some?"
He closed the distance between them, embracing her in a tight hug. He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of her hair, feeling a moment of relief for the first time since this tragedy struck. "I would love nothing more," he said.
****
They sat in the stillness of the archive, sharing warm food and sweet tea, pretending things were the same once more - pretending everything was fine, pretending to forget the pain for just one night.
It would never be the same again, and the concerns of the land would always weigh heavy on his mind, but every once in a while the Emperor could pretend he was a lowly servant with no greater concern than bringing a smile to Shurrei's face.
Re: 147) Emperor!Seien AU (gen or slash)
Great ficlet, and a take that no one's written yet. Even if it does make he horribly sad. I love angst, but I cry!
He stood at the entrance waiting. He had told himself a thousand times that he wasn’t going to do this, that he had done it one time too many and that it would never happen again. And yet here he was, doing just that. Nervously Kouyuu brushed the bangs away from his forehead before straightening his jacket once more. This was a mistake. He knew better.
Turning on his feet, he left, heading toward the punch bowl. His throat was parched and dry. Pulling the note from his pocket, he checked it one more time to make sure he got the time and date right. Looking around the room he could see that it was the type of function Shuuei would attend. It looked like the entire army was in attendance.
Minus Shuuei at the moment.
Feeling oddly underdressed, he fixed his tie once more, and wished he had a uniform just so he could fit in with the others, and not stand out so much. Glancing at his watch, Kouyuu frowned. It was unlike Shuuei to be his late.
He scowled. Ready to leave, Kouyuu turned to bump into his friend. A moment ago he was ready to tear Shuuei’s head off in irritation. Now, he could do nothing but blush. Dressed in full military regalia, honours pinned to his chest, Shuuei was a sight for many to behold. The swarm of females in his wake was a testament to this. But his friend had eyes for none of them. He couldn’t breathe, his breath caught in his throat as he stared on. He would never admit to his friend, but he did find him to be extremely attractive. Nodding his head, Kouyuu managed a small greeting.
When did his thoughts shift from that of friendship to something more? Refusing to look Shuuei in the eye, Kouyuu focused instead on the breastplate. It was safe. “You’re late. I was about to leave.”
Shuuei said nothing as he grabbed his companion’s arm, pulling him toward the centre of the room. “You’d never find your way home.” Allowing one hand to rest on Kouyuu’s shoulder, Shuuei studied his resolve and knew he wouldn’t be able to convince his friend of otherwise. “I need you here.”
Looking to Shuuei’s eyes, Kouyuu studied them before studying everybody else’s around him. A small smile quirked at Shuuei’s lips. Yes, he needed him. More than he knew.
26) The main cast, any – in the world of any other manga
**
It was a typical day at the Dark Order headquarters.
“May I take your order?”
“Seiran, good morning.” Shuurei greeted the man at the order-window in the main cafeteria. I’d like some steamed buns, please.”
“Coming right up,” he replied with a smile. The order was called to the back and as they waited, he asked, “How is your studying going, my lady?”
Shuurei looked around, thankful that no one was in line behind her. “Geez, Seiran. I already said to not call me that, right?” They had transferred from the Asia Branch together, and even before then they had been like brother and sister. But for some reason, Seiran seemed to have deemed himself as a family retainer of sorts and insisted on calling her ‘my lady’.
“Sorry, my lady.” Seiran said unrepentantly. “Here are your steamed buns, please enjoy.”
Shuurei sighed and took her food, moving forward to look for a seat.
What Seiran called her really wasn’t her biggest concern though. Her transfer was conditional, because she hadn’t been content working in the kitchens in the Asia Branch. She had helped out with the Science department there as well, and they enthusiastically recommended her move to Headquarters. It was like a dream come true—everyone knew that the science team at Home did the most cutting edge research and made the most miraculous inventions. She wanted to be part of it, helping the fight against the Earl, but it was hard—she used to work in the kitchens, for heaven’s sake!
“Ahh, this isn’t like me.” She pinched her cheeks and bit into her steamed bun determinedly. Sure, she used to work in the kitchens, but her father was a scientist that had worked for the Order as well, and he tutored her privately for years. Seiran was supportive and it seemed like the science team really liked her. She could do this! “All right! After breakfast, I’ll go ask Kouyuu about the equations I couldn’t figure out last night!”
As if her thought summoned him, the cafeteria doors slammed open to admit one very irate scientist and his perpetually amused exorcist best friend. “How many times do I have to tell you, you tofu-brains!? I don’t have all day to fix your weapon, so stop damaging it!”
Ran Shuuei shrugged, completely unfazed by the blistering tirade aimed his way. “It wasn’t my fault, Kouyuu! Can I help it if the Level 2 evolved in the middle of the battle?”
“Yes, you could’ve NOTICED.” Kouyuu paused long enough to order, and then glared at Shuuei. “What sort of idiot exorcist doesn’t notice these things!?”
“I was kinda busy trying to stay alive at the time.”
“Learn to multitask!”
Shuurei took a sip of her tea and wondered if she needed to go intervene. She had been a bit intimidated by them at first, since both Kouyuu and Shuuei were famous (and somewhat infamous) in their own fields, but due to a certain incident, they had all became friends.
And speaking of the devil at the center of that ‘incident’…
The cafeteria doors were really earning their keep today, being slammed open once again.
“I’VE LOST MY INNOCENCE!” Ryuuki wailed.
(moving on to post 2...I can't believe it's over 4300 characters-_-;;)
Re: 26) The main cast, any – in the world of any other manga
The people in the dining hall paused, looked up at the blond exorcist, and then at Kouyuu and Shuuei. Then they all went back to what they were doing before.
“Why do WE have to take care of him?!” Kouyuu bellowed as Shuuei chuckled, taking a distraught Ryuuki in hand.
“Where did you lose your innocence, Ryuuki?” Shuuei asked, an eyebrow cocked slyly. “Or rather, should I ask, who did you lose your innocence to?”
Ryuuki sniffled. “I don’t know, I just set them down for a few minutes…”
“Mr. Ran,” Seiran said from behind Shuuei, causing the man to jump in surprise. “Please do not make these terrible puns.”
“Ani-er, I mean, Seiran!” Ryuuki had already seized up the situation—Kouyuu irritated, Shuuei amused, Shuurei resigned—and latched on to his one constant ally. “Do you know where Kanshou and Bakuya went? I swear, I didn’t do anything but since they’ve started talking with me I’ve felt okay about leaving them around since they’ll just tell me where they are but now I can’t hear them—“
“Ryuuki, you shouldn't leave your anti-akuma weapon around.” Seiran admonished sternly.
“Kanshou and Bakuya talk?!” Shuurei blinked.
“Innocence fragments do NOT talk!!” Kouyuu yelled.
“I thought your weapon was equipment type.” Shuuei murmured.
“I want them back!!!” Ryuuki cried.
Shuurei shook her head and went along as they were dragged along to look for Ryuuki’s twin swords. She knew afterwards, Kouyuu will want extra hours put in to research just how equipment type Innocence could communicate with their conformers. Never a dull day at Headquarters, that’s for sure.
**end
(here's the working breakdown of who's who:
Shuuei and Ryuuki – exorcists
Kouyuu – science department
Shou – Komui/commander/supervisor
Shuurei – wanting to be in the science department
Seiran— works in the kitchens
)
83) Youshuu/Reishin - on the subject of Kouyuu... (part 1/2)
“You’re late.”
“Some of us have work to do,” You Shuu calmly said as entered Reishin’s office. “Not, of course, that I would expect you to understand what that entails.” He smoothly crossed the room to where the other man stood, expertly unknotting the bindings that kept the outer layer of his robe in place as he walked. He still had more work to do, and while Reishin was enticing enough with his hair down and that particular look in his eyes, this had never been anything more complex than a practical exchange of sexual favors.
“Fascinating,” Reishin replied scornfully as he watched You Shuu approach. “You really are remarkably good at being boring, You Shuu,” he finished when You Shuu came to a stop in front of him.
“And you are remarkably good at being pointless.” He concluded in response, a tiny smile flickering briefly across his lips at the way his words caused Reishin to bristle just slightly. “Such a startling contrast to that son of yours, you could probably learn a thing or two from him.”
The dubious look that Reishin rewarded him with as Reishin leaned back suggestively against his desk suggested otherwise. “I’m sure,” Reishin said dryly.
“He’s been far more assistance to me these last few months than I recall you being in the years I’ve known you.”
“Mmhmm,” Reishin murmured disinterestedly, one of his (elegant, perfect, unstained) hands reaching up to curl around the nape of You Shuu’s neck and drag him down into a brief, pouty kiss.
“I’d certainly be having a more meaningful discussion if I hadn’t heeded your call and remained in the archives.” He added wryly.
Reishin scoffed, mockingly. “You do not expect me to believe that you would prefer my son’s childish attention?” All it took was a subtle shift of weight, and Reishin was suddenly molded along the length of You Shuu’s body, his strong lean legs pressed against You Shuu’s own in a way that was far too indecent considering they were both still (mostly) dressed. “Well?”
You Shuu’s lips curled into a smirk, his mouth only inches away from Reishin’s. “Are you trying to distract me from your precious son?”
“Do you need to be distracted from him?” Reishin replied, his expression vague. The older man’s gaze narrowed thoughtfully. “I think you do.”
“He is certainly a very interesting boy,” he conceded, his hands working amiably on the clasps that held Reishin’s robes closed. “I had to drag him out of the pond yesterday.”
A muscle in Reishin’s cheek twitched. “Let my guess, he stumbled into it while trying to find my office.” His sardonic response was a statement, not a question.
“Almost,” You Shuu replied, patiently allowing Reishin’s hands to skim up over his hips before continuing. “He was on his way to your office, but he didn’t fall into the pond.” Reishin’s hands stilled, his fingers catching angrily in the cloth of You Shuu’s robes. “I always thought you were incredibly skilled at turning neutral allies into foes through the strength of your personality alone, but Kouyuu’s remarkably able at acquiring enemies as well.”
“And I suppose you find that interesting?” Reishin said coldly, his penetrating gaze like ice.
“Quite,” You Shuu agreed easily, as he leaned in towards Reishin. “Unlike you, Kouyuu makes enemies for all the right reasons.” The words were whispered into Reishin’s ear. A dry laugh escaped through his lips when Reishin spun him around suddenly, pressing him back against the table.
“Talking about Kouyuu strangely does not put me in the mood for the sort of activity you came here for,” Reishin growled, silencing You Shuu with a glare when a pointed roll of his hips up against Reishin seemed to indicate otherwise. “Although if that’s what you would prefer to do instead-“
You Shuu smirked, before capturing Reishin’s lips in a heated kiss.
83) Youshuu/Reishin - on the subject of Kouyuu... (part 2/2)
You Shuu smirked, before capturing Reishin’s lips in a heated kiss.
“I need your help,” Reishin declared as he stormed into Houju’s office.
“There are only so many hours in the day, I would prefer to spend them on something other than your multitude of problems for once,” the bastard replied with deliberate calmness, his gaze never lifting from the report he was working on. “Go bother someone else.”
“We need to find You Shuu a wife.” Reishin smirked triumphantly when that brought a response from Houju. “He is getting too attached.”
Houju cocked one disbelieving eyebrow, his work momentarily forgotten. “You do not honestly believe that You Shuu has fallen in love with you, do you?”
Reishin scoffed at the thought. “Hardly. There is not a single thing that man does not hate about me. It is why our arrangement works so well.” The stern, uncompromising man could never replace Yuri-hime, but his calculated, disinterested touch carried Reishin through the long months he spent apart from his beloved wife. Their occasional – but above all, practical – affair meant that Reishin did not run the risk of ever forgetting how much more there was with Yuri-hime. “He has taken an interest in Kouyuu.”
Houju elegantly rolled his eyes. “You believe everyone has taken an interest in your prized son. Last week you were convinced that the Ran boy was plotting his way into Kouyuu’s pants, the week before that you thought I was attempting to steal the boy away from you.” Houju mockingly shook his head. “If You Shuu is at all interested in your son, it is purely in a practical sense. You of all people should know that You Shuu has no time or inclination for anything deeper with anyone.” Houju’s piercing gaze met Reishin’s. “Perhaps You Shuu is simply interested in Kouyuu because he is the only person in your department who does any work.”
“You Shuu never takes an interest in anyone, not like this,” Reishin replied shortly.
“You are wasting my time,” Houju said as he lazily turned his attention back to my paperwork. “Kouyuu is only seventeen, and You Shuu is not so foolish to develop feelings for a child he hardly knows even if by some miracle he is able to feel such ‘self-serving’ emotions.” Reishin smothered back a smirk. You Shuu’s ideology preceded him. Do-gooders were generally looked upon wearily by anyone with half a brain, even those do-gooders who possessed a sharp tongue and sharper wit. Houju’s hand stilled momentarily before he continued on to his next brush stroke. “Of course, Kouyuu will not be a child forever, and perhaps all those little things that You Shuu finds interesting now might develop into characteristics that he finds … attractive.” Houju raised his gaze to meet Reishin’s iced one. “But that is not what terrifies you so, is it?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Reishin stated dismissively, his words carrying an edge he didn’t bother to hide and that Houju chose to deliberately ignore.
Houju leaned back in his chair, his eyes remaining casually locked on Reishin. “By then, Kouyuu will have grown to see just how wonderfully moral You Shuu is, how he always does the right thing and refuses to given in to temptation or vice.” Reishin agitatedly flicked his fan open in front of his mouth. “They say that shadows always seem at their darkest when there is a contrasting light to offset them.”
He snapped his fan closed again.
“You are useless to me if all you’re going to do is babble pathetically,” Reishin coldly said, turning sharply on his heels and stalking towards the door. “If you happen to stumble across an original thought that may be of use, you know where to find me.”
“You are a fool, Reishin.” Houju’s quiet words carried across the room. “All you need to do is tell Kouyuu to stay away from You Shuu, but you won’t do that, will you?”
Reishin slammed the door closed behind him as he left.
88) Shuuei/Kouyuu - trust
"The palace cook made you a herbal chicken soup today." Shuuei told him cheerfully. "He said he was glad to hear you finally woke up. He assured me it'll put energy in your body and meat on your bones again. Did you know that you're popular with the kitchen staff?"
Kouyuu didn't answer but let Shuuei chatter on. It seemed he was quite used to being the only voice heard while in the cell with him.
The aqua haired scholar still wasn't sure what to feel as the first spoonful of soup was offered. There was no atmosphere of teasing or pity in the gesture, just-- hopeful expectation. And Shuuei had an elated sense of relief and joy about him when Kouyuu accepted the spoons of sustenance.
When the meal was done, Shuuei would leave briefly with the tray and return with a basin of steaming water and a towel. It had surprised Kouyuu that he felt no embarrassment for Shuuei's solicitous assistance in his evening toilet needs. And his body apparently was quite used to its clinical handling in the man's hands.
However, Kouyuu's head and heart still hurt when he thought of Shuuei's absence before and during the first few weeks of his incarceration. And-- Kouyuu also knew it wouldn't be long before Shuurei accomplished her work and won his release from prison. Once Kouyuu left the prison, Shuuei would no longer be visiting him twice daily. He couldn’t remain silent any longer.
“I thought you left.” His words were spoken softly, but Shuuei still heard it to stop his chattering and finally take a seat on the wooden bed to face him.
“I had always intended to return.” Shuuei said these words firmly as he met Kouyuu’s gaze.
“For Ryuuk—“
“Not only for the Emperor, Kouyuu.” The ex-general cut him off sharply and clasped Kouyuu’s hands before them, reminding him of the time they had stood face to face in the darkness of the Emperor’s gardens shortly after Kouyuu had saved the maid Kourin’s life. “I never forgot my promise to you, Kouyuu. I came back, also for you.”
A teasing grin touched Shuuei’s lips as he gazed into Kouyuu’s eyes. “You won’t be rid of me that easily.”
Kouyuu lowered his face, his eyes stung with tears as Shuuei moved them closer to pull him into a hug.
(Anonymous)
Re: 88) Shuuei/Kouyuu - trust
54) Fantasy AU, magical powers!
姫公 (ばらひめこう): TheRose PrincessThorn PrinceReishin knelt beside his son, whom he had had leaned against the tree, and brushed the hair from his forehead fondly. “Father?” Exhausted eyes opened to look upon him.
“You are such a stubborn boy to keep insisting on doing these things alone.” Reishin told him softly.
“It’s—who I am.” Kouyuu protested warily. “And—I’m not a boy anymore—to hide from difficulties—or truths I do not want to face.
"Oh." Kouyuu noticed something and reached a shakey hand towards his father, but Reishin intercepted it.
"You don't have to, my son." He admonished the boy gently. "I know the threads have bound around me again. I can feel them. But I can also break them myself. As you have said, now that the curse has been broken at the source, it is no longer the Thorn Mage who has the ability to break the chains."
"But I can still do it far easier than--"
Reishin kept a firm hold on Kouyuu's hand. "There is no need. Let me, my son. You are wary and have done enough this day." Unfortunately, this was to be the last moment of peace during their arrival at Kiyou. Something hit the camp fire causing an explosion that threw thick black smoke over the small clearing.
"Reishin dono!"
"Kouyuu sama!"
"Father!" Reishin allowed himself to fall backwards with his son's push to avoid the barrage of arrows which came at him from behind Kouyuu's tree.
In hind sight, Reishin realized that he should have accepted his son's offer to break the curse threads that bound his magic again. He was cursing a blue streak as he strove to flex his powers, reaching desperately within for the strength to overcome the curse.
"Fath--!" The abrupt muffling of his son’s exhausted cry was finally impetus enough for Reishin.
“Kouyuu!” Reishin burst through the last of the curse chains, causing the land around them to heave and shift about as if it was a liquid rather than solid earth.
The anxious father lashed out indiscriminately, trusting in the charm Kouyuu had created with Shouka during the time Reishin was still new to his powers to protect the Kou guards from harm. The boy had shown his true genius to Shouka then, having taken in his cautious objections about the charms being used as a weapon again Reishin to cause the charm to require regular renewal to remain effective. The Kou guards certainly counted their blessings for Kouyuu-sama’s thoughtfulness and thoroughness now as the earth seemed to whirl around in uncontrollable fury to target and crush their attackers while smoothly flowing around and over them.
However, as quickly as Reishin had reacted, it seems he was a little too late. His son was gone. “Kouyuu!”
The Kou guards cowered in the dirt and dust while their liege stood in the now treeless clearing. The man’s entire being was fairly glowing red with power and fury. It was without doubt that the city of Kiyou could feel the earth tremble.
*~*~*~*
In the aftermath of the earthquake, Ryuuki righted the brush holder on his table as he took in the confusion and worry of the members of his court that evening. He remembered then that Kou Reishin and his son were supposed to be arriving in Kiyou that day.
“Seiran? Shuuei?” The Emperor gave his guards a fearful look.
Seiran swallowed hard. “That—that could have been Reishin Dono.”
“Kouyuu?” Shuuei looked at Seiran in alarm.
It did not take very long for the members of the court to be enlightened as two men slowly emerged and rose from the floor of the Emperor’s Court. The less stalwart among the officials fainted at this open demonstration of the Black Wolf’s ability to move through the earth, even with a passenger in tow. Truly, since he came into his abilities in magic, the Black Wolf’s capability had become even more feared.
Despite the trepidation in his heart, Ryuuki came to his feel in controlled dignity as he faced the shrouded and masked Black Wolf together with Kou Reishin.
“Reishin Dono, We welcome you to Our Court.”
“Woe that I even considered returning to this cursed place which I quit during your father’s reign, Emperor Ryuuki.” Reishin snarled. “My son was taken within the boundaries of Kiyou and I would have him back."
Re: 54) Fantasy AU, magical powers!