(no subject)
Sometimes it pays to have to leave the house every morning at 6:30 a.m.
In the 13+ years we've lived in our neighborhood here in Lewisville, I have seen my share of small rabbits (in fact, there have been numerous times when they come and sit on our lawn and don't move -- even when we walk down the driveway), and of course, numerous birds... robins, cardinals, and the like. However, until this morning, I had NEVER seen a deer!!
Yep! As I was driving down one of the streets in the neighborhood, I happened to glance to the side that has no houses but tall grass and woods only to see a deer out in the grass right by the street! Of course, as soon as it saw my car, it dashed into the tall grass and then into the wooded area behind, but it was just so amazing to see that creature! It was definitely the BEST way to start a morning....
....other than some hot H/K smex, that is!! I know... I know... I'm SUCH a Hiei/Kurama whore, right Blue?!?!
And speaking of our favorite demon pair... though I know many of you are anxiously awaiting the reunion between H and K in What Price Love?, I'm afraid the muse has had other plans this week and has totally taken me in a different direction. So, if any of you would like a preview of the LONG awaited (or not) next installment of Eye of the Beholder, just take a peek under the cut below.
The sun had not yet fully risen; the earth still bathed in the dusky rose of dawn’s first light when Kurama finished his task, the patiently waiting mare now saddled and ready.
“How long do you anticipate the journey might take, Sir?” the boy asked his stepfather as Hatanaka came through the door of the cottage and negotiated the short distance between the house to where his stepson stood, holding the reins of the roan-colored horse.
They… no, Kurama… had bartered the use of the horse and saddle from the Yukimura hostel. Hatanaka would have nothing to do with it. He’d sooner walk the 50 leagues than be beholden to someone. Therefore, his stepson had taken it upon himself to strike the deal: the use of the mare for however long his stepfather needed to be away in exchange for supplying the hostel with fresh fruits and vegetables as well as the promise that the younger Shuuichi would aid Yusuke in the daily hunt for meat for the hostel’s tables. God, how he abhorred this genteel poverty!
“A fortnight,” Hatanaka answered, adjusting his traveling cloak until it settled perfectly across broad shoulders. “Perhaps a bit longer. I won’t know for sure until I can see the condition of the ships and the remaining wares they bear for myself, as well as to arrange for buyers for the goods and re-outfitting the ships for their return voyage.”
“You’ll need lodging, then, for the duration of your trip,” the red-haired youth stated as his stepfather put his foot into the stirrup and swung himself up and into the saddle.
The former nobleman snorted. Looking down at the boy he replied. “You and I both know there is no money for such luxuries. I shall have to depend upon the kindness of someone among the peerage of the city for such things as a bed and meals.”
“Perhaps you should be wary of accepting such kindness,” Kurama returned. Reaching into the pocket of his waistcoat, he withdrew something, though Hatanaka could not see what it was for the boy held it tight within his fist as he spoke again. “At any rate, I do not think it will be necessary for you to depend upon the hospitality of your former friends and acquaintances.” With that, he extended his hand up to his stepfather and opened it.
Hatanaka’s gaze left his stepson’s face to settle upon the object that rested in the boy’s upturned palm, the early morning sunlight reflecting the deep ruby stone set within the burnished gold of the band. He recognized the signet ring at once, having heard its history, and that of the Minamino family, from his beloved Shiori.
The Minaminos were a noble family; soldiers in the king’s army since time immemorial, if one were to believe the legends, though Hatanaka himself found them simply too fantastical to believe.
However, even he could not deny the family’s valor and unfailing devotion to their sovereign. After all, the signet ring, the family’s crest carefully carved into the ruby, was proof of that. It had been presented to the first Minamino who’d pledged his fealty and sword to the king as tribute to that same courage and loyalty. Since that time, the ring had been passed through the generations from first-born son to first-born son.
Thus had it come to Shiori’s first husband, and upon his untimely death in the service of his king, to her (Kurama being but an infant at the time).
No longer wishing to remain at court after her beloved husband’s death, Shiori had been granted leave to retire quietly to a small cottage and plot of land away from the city. Along with a monthly stipend, the cottage and land had been a gift from the king to honor her husband’s bravery.
It was here, in the cottage Kurama now possessed and in which Hatanaka and his son resided with him, that Shiori raised her Shuuichi, keeping the ring safe until he came of age. Hatanaka well remembered the day she had finally gifted her son with his legacy. Kurama’s 16th birthday had also marked the first anniversary of his and Shiori’s marriage.
Now, as the memories flooded his mind, Hatanaka tore his eyes from the ring and once more, met the emerald gaze of his stepson.
“No, Kurama,” he said with a firm shake of his graying head. “I cannot accept your offer. This is your legacy.”
A small smile graced the boy’s elfin features. “I need no bauble to know who I am, Stepfather,” he responded, “and the ring should fetch a fair price. I would consider it an honor if you will allow me to be the one to see to your comfort during your journey. Please… take it.”
With those words, Kurama reached up with his free hand and took his stepfather’s gloved hand into his own. Pressing the ring into the palm of the hand he held, he closed the older man’s fingers around it and stepped back, green eyes still locked with deep blue.
“Are you sure?” Hatanaka asked, and at the boy’s firm nod, bowed his head. “I… I don’t know what to say to such magnitude, except… thank you,” he finished softly.
Again, Kurama smiled. “Such gratitude is unnecessary, Stepfather,” he responded, “but… you are welcome.”
The chapter should be rather lengthy, so it may be another week before it's actually posted on ff.net and aff.net.
In the 13+ years we've lived in our neighborhood here in Lewisville, I have seen my share of small rabbits (in fact, there have been numerous times when they come and sit on our lawn and don't move -- even when we walk down the driveway), and of course, numerous birds... robins, cardinals, and the like. However, until this morning, I had NEVER seen a deer!!
Yep! As I was driving down one of the streets in the neighborhood, I happened to glance to the side that has no houses but tall grass and woods only to see a deer out in the grass right by the street! Of course, as soon as it saw my car, it dashed into the tall grass and then into the wooded area behind, but it was just so amazing to see that creature! It was definitely the BEST way to start a morning....
....other than some hot H/K smex, that is!! I know... I know... I'm SUCH a Hiei/Kurama whore, right Blue?!?!
And speaking of our favorite demon pair... though I know many of you are anxiously awaiting the reunion between H and K in What Price Love?, I'm afraid the muse has had other plans this week and has totally taken me in a different direction. So, if any of you would like a preview of the LONG awaited (or not) next installment of Eye of the Beholder, just take a peek under the cut below.
The sun had not yet fully risen; the earth still bathed in the dusky rose of dawn’s first light when Kurama finished his task, the patiently waiting mare now saddled and ready.
“How long do you anticipate the journey might take, Sir?” the boy asked his stepfather as Hatanaka came through the door of the cottage and negotiated the short distance between the house to where his stepson stood, holding the reins of the roan-colored horse.
They… no, Kurama… had bartered the use of the horse and saddle from the Yukimura hostel. Hatanaka would have nothing to do with it. He’d sooner walk the 50 leagues than be beholden to someone. Therefore, his stepson had taken it upon himself to strike the deal: the use of the mare for however long his stepfather needed to be away in exchange for supplying the hostel with fresh fruits and vegetables as well as the promise that the younger Shuuichi would aid Yusuke in the daily hunt for meat for the hostel’s tables. God, how he abhorred this genteel poverty!
“A fortnight,” Hatanaka answered, adjusting his traveling cloak until it settled perfectly across broad shoulders. “Perhaps a bit longer. I won’t know for sure until I can see the condition of the ships and the remaining wares they bear for myself, as well as to arrange for buyers for the goods and re-outfitting the ships for their return voyage.”
“You’ll need lodging, then, for the duration of your trip,” the red-haired youth stated as his stepfather put his foot into the stirrup and swung himself up and into the saddle.
The former nobleman snorted. Looking down at the boy he replied. “You and I both know there is no money for such luxuries. I shall have to depend upon the kindness of someone among the peerage of the city for such things as a bed and meals.”
“Perhaps you should be wary of accepting such kindness,” Kurama returned. Reaching into the pocket of his waistcoat, he withdrew something, though Hatanaka could not see what it was for the boy held it tight within his fist as he spoke again. “At any rate, I do not think it will be necessary for you to depend upon the hospitality of your former friends and acquaintances.” With that, he extended his hand up to his stepfather and opened it.
Hatanaka’s gaze left his stepson’s face to settle upon the object that rested in the boy’s upturned palm, the early morning sunlight reflecting the deep ruby stone set within the burnished gold of the band. He recognized the signet ring at once, having heard its history, and that of the Minamino family, from his beloved Shiori.
The Minaminos were a noble family; soldiers in the king’s army since time immemorial, if one were to believe the legends, though Hatanaka himself found them simply too fantastical to believe.
However, even he could not deny the family’s valor and unfailing devotion to their sovereign. After all, the signet ring, the family’s crest carefully carved into the ruby, was proof of that. It had been presented to the first Minamino who’d pledged his fealty and sword to the king as tribute to that same courage and loyalty. Since that time, the ring had been passed through the generations from first-born son to first-born son.
Thus had it come to Shiori’s first husband, and upon his untimely death in the service of his king, to her (Kurama being but an infant at the time).
No longer wishing to remain at court after her beloved husband’s death, Shiori had been granted leave to retire quietly to a small cottage and plot of land away from the city. Along with a monthly stipend, the cottage and land had been a gift from the king to honor her husband’s bravery.
It was here, in the cottage Kurama now possessed and in which Hatanaka and his son resided with him, that Shiori raised her Shuuichi, keeping the ring safe until he came of age. Hatanaka well remembered the day she had finally gifted her son with his legacy. Kurama’s 16th birthday had also marked the first anniversary of his and Shiori’s marriage.
Now, as the memories flooded his mind, Hatanaka tore his eyes from the ring and once more, met the emerald gaze of his stepson.
“No, Kurama,” he said with a firm shake of his graying head. “I cannot accept your offer. This is your legacy.”
A small smile graced the boy’s elfin features. “I need no bauble to know who I am, Stepfather,” he responded, “and the ring should fetch a fair price. I would consider it an honor if you will allow me to be the one to see to your comfort during your journey. Please… take it.”
With those words, Kurama reached up with his free hand and took his stepfather’s gloved hand into his own. Pressing the ring into the palm of the hand he held, he closed the older man’s fingers around it and stepped back, green eyes still locked with deep blue.
“Are you sure?” Hatanaka asked, and at the boy’s firm nod, bowed his head. “I… I don’t know what to say to such magnitude, except… thank you,” he finished softly.
Again, Kurama smiled. “Such gratitude is unnecessary, Stepfather,” he responded, “but… you are welcome.”
The chapter should be rather lengthy, so it may be another week before it's actually posted on ff.net and aff.net.