The Simplest Gifts (Saiyuki, Kougaiji/Yaone, G)
Title: The Simplest Gifts
Author: Veleda (veleda_k)
Rating: G
Word count: 658
Summary: Yaone, Kougaiji, and a quiet moment alone.
A/N: The prompt was "Saiyuki, Kougaiji/Yaone: gift - 'You should wear that more often.'" Many thanks to rocknlobster for betaing.
Yaone was mixing poisons in her laboratory when Dokugakuji popped his head in. “Hey, Yaone, Gyokumen Koushu is calling everyone for an assembly.” The sneer in his voice when he said Gyokumen's name was barely noticeable. “Didn't you hear the announcement?”
Yaone set down the beaker of neurotoxin that she was holding and shook her head. “I've been so caught up in my work, I guess I must have missed it.”
“Well, you might want to wear something nice. Some real bigwigs are going to be there, and we don't want to make Kou look bad.”
“Of course not,” Yaone agreed. Dokugakuji nodded his head, gave a quick wave, and disappeared.
Yaone brushed a few wisps of hair out of her eyes. “Wear something nice?” she whispered. She wasn't even sure that she owned anything nice. Her clothing choices were more geared toward ease of movement than anything else. Worrying a little, she locked up her lab and started walking briskly. Once in her room, she rifled through her dresser, growing frustrated with her lack of options. Frowning slightly, she scolded herself silently. There were far more important things in life than pretty clothes. Her purpose was to serve Kougaiji, nothing else. She was happy with that purpose. She didn't need anything else. And if she occasionally wanted more, if she sometimes thought about a... closer relationship with her lord, then that was simply proof that more discipline was required.
Yaone sighed and was about to close the drawer, when she caught sight of a small lacquered box in the corner. It took her a moment, but when she opened the box, she recognized the necklace inside. Another youkai lord had presented it to Kougaiji as a gesture of goodwill, and Kougaiji had given it to her. Not that that meant anything, Yaone reminded herself. It was simply that Kougaiji had little use for jewelry aside from what he already wore, Lirin would have just broken or lost it, and Dokugakiji wasn't really the jewelry type. Kougaiji was only being practical when gave the necklace to Yaone.
Yaone took the necklace out of the box and admired it. It was a large, glimmering opal set in gold on a golden chain, and it was far finer than anything else Yaone had ever owned. With only slight hesitation, she put it around her neck, then returned the box to the drawer. She closed the drawer and stepped into the hall, shutting the door behind her silently. Yaone was always quiet. Poison makes no sound as it flows through veins.
Yaone turned when she heard footsteps behind her. Then she smiled. “Kougaiji-sama.”
Kougaiji started to smile back, but stopped when his gaze settled on her neck. “That pendant...”
Yaone's hands flew to her neck. “Um, yes, you gave it to me,” she said nervously. “I can, uh, give it back, if you want.”
“No,” Kougaiji assured her quickly. “You don't need to do that.” He looked away. “It looks nice on you. You should wear it more often.”
“Oh.” Yaone blushed. “If Kougaiji-sama would like that...”
“You don't have to,” Kougaiji said, still not looking at her. “It was just a thought.” He began to walk, and Yaone fell in step behind him. “Is your work going well?” he asked her.
Yaone nodded. “I've been making remarkable new advances with opiates. If things keep going well, I may be able to create an entirely new drug, a more efficient pain killer.”
“That's remarkable.” Kougaiji sounded genuinely impressed. He was silent for a few moments. “Yaone--” he started, before cutting himself off. Instead of speaking, he gently brushed his fingers against Yaone's. She looked at him in surprise, and he just gave a very small smile.
“Should we be hurrying?” Yaone asked worriedly. “Gyokumen Koushu is probably getting impatient.”
Kougaiji paused a moment, then shook his head. He took Yaone's hand in his own. “Let her wait.”
Author: Veleda (veleda_k)
Rating: G
Word count: 658
Summary: Yaone, Kougaiji, and a quiet moment alone.
A/N: The prompt was "Saiyuki, Kougaiji/Yaone: gift - 'You should wear that more often.'" Many thanks to rocknlobster for betaing.
Yaone was mixing poisons in her laboratory when Dokugakuji popped his head in. “Hey, Yaone, Gyokumen Koushu is calling everyone for an assembly.” The sneer in his voice when he said Gyokumen's name was barely noticeable. “Didn't you hear the announcement?”
Yaone set down the beaker of neurotoxin that she was holding and shook her head. “I've been so caught up in my work, I guess I must have missed it.”
“Well, you might want to wear something nice. Some real bigwigs are going to be there, and we don't want to make Kou look bad.”
“Of course not,” Yaone agreed. Dokugakuji nodded his head, gave a quick wave, and disappeared.
Yaone brushed a few wisps of hair out of her eyes. “Wear something nice?” she whispered. She wasn't even sure that she owned anything nice. Her clothing choices were more geared toward ease of movement than anything else. Worrying a little, she locked up her lab and started walking briskly. Once in her room, she rifled through her dresser, growing frustrated with her lack of options. Frowning slightly, she scolded herself silently. There were far more important things in life than pretty clothes. Her purpose was to serve Kougaiji, nothing else. She was happy with that purpose. She didn't need anything else. And if she occasionally wanted more, if she sometimes thought about a... closer relationship with her lord, then that was simply proof that more discipline was required.
Yaone sighed and was about to close the drawer, when she caught sight of a small lacquered box in the corner. It took her a moment, but when she opened the box, she recognized the necklace inside. Another youkai lord had presented it to Kougaiji as a gesture of goodwill, and Kougaiji had given it to her. Not that that meant anything, Yaone reminded herself. It was simply that Kougaiji had little use for jewelry aside from what he already wore, Lirin would have just broken or lost it, and Dokugakiji wasn't really the jewelry type. Kougaiji was only being practical when gave the necklace to Yaone.
Yaone took the necklace out of the box and admired it. It was a large, glimmering opal set in gold on a golden chain, and it was far finer than anything else Yaone had ever owned. With only slight hesitation, she put it around her neck, then returned the box to the drawer. She closed the drawer and stepped into the hall, shutting the door behind her silently. Yaone was always quiet. Poison makes no sound as it flows through veins.
Yaone turned when she heard footsteps behind her. Then she smiled. “Kougaiji-sama.”
Kougaiji started to smile back, but stopped when his gaze settled on her neck. “That pendant...”
Yaone's hands flew to her neck. “Um, yes, you gave it to me,” she said nervously. “I can, uh, give it back, if you want.”
“No,” Kougaiji assured her quickly. “You don't need to do that.” He looked away. “It looks nice on you. You should wear it more often.”
“Oh.” Yaone blushed. “If Kougaiji-sama would like that...”
“You don't have to,” Kougaiji said, still not looking at her. “It was just a thought.” He began to walk, and Yaone fell in step behind him. “Is your work going well?” he asked her.
Yaone nodded. “I've been making remarkable new advances with opiates. If things keep going well, I may be able to create an entirely new drug, a more efficient pain killer.”
“That's remarkable.” Kougaiji sounded genuinely impressed. He was silent for a few moments. “Yaone--” he started, before cutting himself off. Instead of speaking, he gently brushed his fingers against Yaone's. She looked at him in surprise, and he just gave a very small smile.
“Should we be hurrying?” Yaone asked worriedly. “Gyokumen Koushu is probably getting impatient.”
Kougaiji paused a moment, then shook his head. He took Yaone's hand in his own. “Let her wait.”