(no subject)
Title: Right Back to You: Chapter Twelve
Disclaimer: (n) A statement disclaiming something, especially responsibility.
Pairing: none
Rating: R
Word Count: ~9800
Notes: お待たせしまいました。 I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting, but at last, at loooooooong last, this Ridiculous Thing has finally come to an end. It started out as something that was supposed to be a light and fluffy NaNoWriMo two years ago. It has been a long journey of crazy and twisted wannabe Victorian melodrama, but it is done. I can only hope you’ve enjoyed your time with it even a little.
Major thanks to nande_daiyo and maiaide for their betaing.
You, uh, might want to reread/re-skim some of the story before reading this. It has been that long since the last chapter.
Sho took Nino to Jun’s chambers so he could meet with Aiba - as Sho’s original intention had been. Jun was still out and completing his diplomatic duties for the day, but Aiba was back in from the kitchens where he’d taken to loitering with the help while Jun was working, occasionally helping to set meals during large parties.
They had barely made it through the doors when Aiba greeted Nino by throwing himself at Nino with a wail. Because he was watching, Sho noticed Nino start at the loud noise. But rather than step back as Sho would have expected, Nino simply caught Aiba and hugged him close.
“Nino! It’s been SO LONG!” Aiba wailed.
“I know. I’m sorry,” Nino said softly.
Sho watched with a fond smile as Aiba nuzzled into Nino’s hair, then dug his chin into Nino's head and pouted. “I was beginning to think you stopped liking me.”
Nino shook his head. “No, no. I just forgot to- ” He paused and hurried on as soon as he realized what he’d said. “I mean, I didn’t forget you- Not like that- not in a bad way. Just.” Nino stopped, saw Aiba smiling, and laughed sheepishly. “Things happened. Not all-that-great things.”
Aiba drew Nino over to the couch in Jun’s receiving room. He sat, pulling Nino down with him, and Sho took a spot on the other end of the couch. Nino settled between them, drawing his legs up under himself by force of habit.
“I know,” Aiba said, “So now you can make it up to me. How much time do we have before you have to go back to Ohno-san’s house?” he paused. “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen him lately. Jun-sama's been complaining about his absence, too. Did he go out on business, Sho-sama?”
Nino looked up at Sho automatically, eyes wide and worried. It was an unsubtle hint for Sho to tell Nino that Ohno had not left the country; Sho took it and offered a smile of assurance. “No, no, he’s still in the capital. He’s just been able to do a lot of his work from the mansion - we haven’t had any particular need of him here.”
Which wasn't a complete lie. Ohno had been neglecting his duties to his station, and if he didn't show up at the palace soon something would have to be done. The King's affection for his son's friends only stretched so far.
But Aiba nodded, satisfied with the explanation. He nudged Nino’s side, grinning. “Let’s go play something then! The grounds here are huge! There are a ton of gardens - oh! You should see the one with the fountains.”
As he spoke, Aiba jumped to his feet and pulled Nino up with him, starting to drag him from the room. Nino looked back at Sho, and Sho laughed, standing as well. He placed his hand between Nino’s shoulder blades, giving him a shove.
“Come on, he’ll only talk your ear off if you don’t go along quietly.”
Nino smiled. “You have a point there.”
They left to Aiba’s loud protests of the defamation of his character.
------
Three days later, Nino had not expressed a desire to return to either the Yamashita’s clinic or the Ohno’s mansion. Sho had not questioned him. In a movement of impulse that his father would probably have his head for, Sho simply moved Nino into a spare room in his chambers and sent a messenger to the clinic to inform them of the change. Nino spent most of his time with Aiba, following him around the palace grounds and staying out of the way of both staff and nobility.
Though he tried, Sho couldn’t take all of his meals with Nino, and for those three days Sho was only able to spend time with Nino at night. Each night Nino had been settled in bed by the time Sho returned, so they would spend only a little time talking before Sho took to his own.
This night was different.
This night Sho returned to his chambers and found Nino sitting on his bed, plucking at the thick cover between his fingers. The prince dismissed his chamber attendant and moved to the bedside, sitting down and placing a hand on Nino’s knee.
“Nino? What’s wrong?”
There was a long silence. Sho almost thought that his brother wouldn’t answer. When he did his voice was so quiet and small that Sho almost didn’t hear it.
“Can I stay with you?”
Sho’s eyes bugged. He stared at the top of Nino’s head. Surely he hadn’t heard right. Nino asking to stay with him? Even if he did believe now that he was Sho’s brother, that didn’t make any sense - Nino hated being in positions where he might draw attention. Sho stared so long that Nino looked up at him, brow furrowed.
“Sho?”
“Of course!” Sho blurted. “Just, why?”
“I don’t want a position,” Nino said quickly, "or a title, or anything like that." His lips quirked into a pale smile. “I just want a family. I want to be unbroken. You don’t have to keep me here, just visit me.”
Sho couldn’t help it. He pulled Nino into his arms and hugged him close. “You can stay wherever you want. My rooms, your own old rooms, with Masaki,” he murmured. “I'll work something out with father, somehow. But... but what about Ohno?”
“Ohno-sama will get married, like you and Jun-sama, right? It’s his duty, and he’s been engaged to Saya-san for a long time. He's been ignoring her because of me. So even if he wanted me to stay with him, she wouldn’t like it and I don’t want to get in the way.”
“Is it really okay, Nino?”
Nino nodded. “I think I might like him. I could even love him. But I know he doesn’t like me. Even if he did... I can’t give him children. I can't be a wife. What would Saya-sama’s family think if he left her for me? It would be a terrible thing, wouldn't it? Her family would never forgive him.”
“But- ”
“I can't... I can't take care of myself yet, Sho," Nino said. His voice was steady. "And Ohno-sama... Ohno-sama can't either, I don't think. Maybe he and I can be friends someday, when I don’t frustrate him.” Nino smiled. “He’s done a lot for me and I’d like that.”
Sho sighed. “You have to tell him that.”
Nino nodded. “I know. I will, if he comes back to work.”
“I’ll speak to Father about it all tomorrow," Sho said. He chewed his lip and added gently, "I don't... I can't promise that he'll believe like I do, but he’ll want to see you before he agrees to a new addition.”
Nino looked pale at the thought of meeting Sho's father. Sho knew Nino probably hadn't even considered that part of his request. That he would have to present himself to the king, Sho's father. Nino's father. To Sho's mind there was no doubt of that, and he was almost certain that his father would feel the same, even if Nino didn't.
Nino looked pale, almost queasy, but he nodded.
Sho knew then that Nino was serious.
------
Taichi watched the wall opposite him with great intent while Ohno's mother and father finally settled the wedding date with Saya’s parents. Ohno and Saya were seated next to each other, arms linked. Judging from the look in his eyes Ohno wasn’t even paying attention to the proceedings. He didn’t seem to be terribly aware of the fact that Saya was on his arm, either - though Taichi figured that it was because Ohno had grown so used to her presence that she could strip on the table and Ohno wouldn't bat an eye.
Taichi shifted his weight slightly and let his thoughts wander farther away from the room.
It had been three days since he’d seen Nino at the Yamashita’s clinic. Three days since he’d made the promise not to tell Ohno of Nino’s whereabouts. Three days since he'd lied to Ohno’s face. Ohno hadn’t asked about Nino since then, but he continued to avoid his duties. He hadn’t gone to the palace, even though he would no longer go out to look for Nino.
Nagase had even expressed concern about it when Taichi had seen him just a day ago. Nagase didn’t often express concern about anything.
The meeting concluded with much hand-shaking. Taichi pulled his thoughts back to the present. He watched Ohno's and Saya’s parents congratulate each other on the smooth arrangement and promised to get together soon to begin planning for the announcement dinner, and then for the ceremony itself. Saya smiled and kissed Ohno’s cheek. Ohno smiled and brought her hand to his lips automatically.
Taichi went with Ohno to his rooms after Saya’s family had gone. Ohno stretched his shoulders, sitting down on the edge of his bed. He looked up at Taichi as though just realizing he was there, offering him a vague hint of a smile.
“Finally settled on a date.”
Taichi nodded. “Yes, Ohno-sama.”
Ohno leaned back and looked out the window. “Somehow I thought we’d never really get married.”
“Are you not pleased?”
“Of course I am. It was just one of those things I started to forget to think about.”
Taichi shook his head. Had he not been with Ohno for so long, he’d never have learned to read his charge’s convoluted way of speaking. As it was, he could understand the sentiment behind Ohno's words. Ohno wasn't excited for it. He was pleased, even if he wasn't happy, because he was fond of Saya and always had been - but Ohno and Saya were friends, and while Saya was in love, Ohno wasn't.
Taichi sat boldly down on the edge of the bed without waiting for an invitation as he normally would have. “I know where Nino is, Ohno-sama.”
Ohno’s head snapped around. His eyes were focused and intent. “Where?”
“I saw him with Yamashita Tomohisa the other day. I believe he’s been staying at the clinic.”
Ohno's hand shot out and held Taichi’s wrist tightly. “He’s still there?”
“I believe so. Yamashita seemed to have no intention of letting him leave.”
“But he knows that Nino belongs here,” Ohno said, frowning.
Taichi remained quiet. It was not his place to speak for Yamashita about his intentions. Ohno probably wouldn’t have heard him anyway - he was standing and pacing the length of his room. Taichi watched him, wondering about the sudden change. Ohno had always been an enigma; even now, knowing as much of Ohno as he did, Taichi couldn’t profess to understand all of him.
Ohno stopped by the window and spun towards Taichi. “I have to bring him back.”
“No, Ohno-sama," Taichi said firmly. "You have to return to your duties. You’ve not been to the palace in weeks; your absence has been noted and the Prince will not be able to cover for you forever. You have your wedding set now. You have to return to your life.”
Ohno looked like Taichi had punched him in the gut, but Taichi looked steadily back at him. Finally Ohno bowed his head and nodded.
“You’re right. I have been remiss in neglecting my position. I will return today,” Ohno said. He went to his closet, gathering clothes suitable for the weather. “I will return to the palace as soon as I have brought Nino back home.”
Taichi frowned. “Yamashita would prefer him to return on his own.”
“He belongs here,” Ohno said firmly, “He should come back now. Come with me. He’ll need clothes - I know he didn’t take his jacket with him.”
The bodyguard sighed deeply. He’d never known Ohno to be this stubborn. He also couldn’t ignore a direct order from him, much as he wanted to simply pick Ohno up by the seat of his pants and drop him into the palace grounds. He stood and followed Ohno dutifully. Hopefully the sooner they saw and spoke to Nino the sooner he would be able to get Ohno to return to his duties.
------
Ueda was done. He’d been dragging the mission out, because he set his fees and his clients paid by the day and knew better than to ask questions or suggest that Ueda work on their schedule. (An employer several clients before Kitagawa had tried that; Ueda had completed his job and then killed everyone who worked on the man’s estate but the man himself. Due to the nature of his employment, nothing could be done about it except spread the warning.)
But now it was getting boring. Ueda had been waiting for all these months. He would wait no longer. Tonight the country would come to ruin. Tonight Ueda would become the most powerful man in the Eastlands - and nobody knew it but him.
He’d collected everything he needed to secure an easy path into the palace. The Borderlands had become too complacent in the years since they’d avoided the failed invasion. Their security was lax and the training regimens they put their soldiers through were nothing compared to the guards who worked for the Royals and Nobles of the East. The part of Ueda that was still a soldier had found the flaws pitiable. He hoped on one hand that those who guarded the royal family itself were better than the ones assigned to the palace grounds. On the other hand, this was going to make his life so much easier.
Ueda pulled Tottchi to him. “I’m going out tonight, pretty.”
The Pet glared sullenly, and didn’t sound particularly happy when he said, “Good for you.”
Ueda smiled. He stood, hauling Tottchi with him, and threw him into a wooden chair. He relished in the pained yelp that pulled itself from Tottchi's tightly clenched jaw. While Tottchi was stunned, Ueda grabbed the rope he’d set aside that morning. He wrapped it several times around the Pet’s torso and then his wrists, tying the knots tightly.
“I’m going out. I’m going to change the face of politics in this country, and you are going to sit here and wait for me,” Ueda said, coming around to face Tottchi.
Tottchi continued to glare, sitting silent.
Ueda clicked his tongue at the boy and went about gathering his tools. Several knives slipped into hidden sheaths along the lining of his coat. He carried a few vials of poison and his little bottle of opiate just in case. He slid into his coat and patted it down, straightening it over the weapons. It sat completely smooth.
Ueda smiled happily at Tottchi. “Well then, I’ll see you later. Don’t wait up, dear.”
------
The minute the door closed behind him, Toma began to twist in his bonds.
------
Ohno had been set to storm into the Yamashita’s clinic, demand to see Nino, wrap him up in the warm coat Taichi was carrying, and bring him back to the mansion. He managed to storm into the clinic, but before he could demand to see Nino he had to engage in a conversation with the elder Yamashita and his wife. It felt like hours instead of minutes. They finally called their son down to meet with Ohno, but again his demand to see Nino was waylaid.
“He’s not here, Ohno-sama.”
Ohno blinked stupidly at the lanky boy. “What?”
“He’s not here,” Yamashita repeated.
“Where did he go?”
“I imagine he’s still with Sakurai-sama at the palace.”
Ohno’s mind went blank. Nino... at the palace? With Sho? Still there? How long had it been? He leaned forward, gripping the edge of the counter until his knuckles turned white. Yamashita had the decency to look a little sheepish.
“Since when has he been there?” Ohno asked, his voice strangled.
“Nino went with Sakurai-sama three days ago. It seems he has been spending much of his time with Aiba-san.”
“But he was here before that?”
“Yes, Ohno-sama,” Yamashita admitted. His eyes narrowed slightly and the sheepishness left his face. “He stayed here for about a week. I found him crying on the sidewalk without a coat and with no place else to go. He’s convinced you want nothing do with him.”
Ohno could do nothing but stare, his mouth half-open dumbly. Crying on the street? Thought that Ohno wanted nothing to do with him? The worst part was that he couldn’t refute anything. He couldn’t tell Yamashita that there was no way Nino could possibly think that, because he knew that he'd made Nino feel exactly that way.
He’d never been good at explaining. Impromptu words got stuck in his throat. Even the most rehearsed explanation never came out the way it was supposed to. He could never stay ahead of the game - he could barely keep up with it. That was why Ohno hated his position in the court. He hated the birthright that expected him to be smooth and witty when he spoke. He hated that he was never allowed to do anything at his own pace. He hated that anything he wanted to do had to be done for him, that anything he wanted had to be submitted to a hundred different judges for approval.
Even Saya hadn’t been his choice. Ohno was fond of her, yes. But she’d been his friend before anything else and he’d liked her best that way. He’d learned not to mind the match because he was lucky that he’d been arranged to a friend. Still, Ohno couldn’t help but feel that she had changed since they’d become formally engaged. He hadn’t felt as close to her since the announcement. He knew that she knew it. He’d essentially pushed her away, as he had done to Nino.
The difference was that he wouldn’t lose Saya; his parents, her parents, and Saya herself would never let go. He could and would most definitely lose Nino if nothing was done. Ohno clenched his fist and looked determinedly at Yamashita. “He is still staying with Sakurai-sama?”
“Yes, Ohno-sama.”
Ohno turned on his heel and motioned to Taichi. “You get your wish, Taichi. We’re going to the palace.”
------
It took Toma much longer than he’d hoped it would to get free from the chair. Ueda took no chances on the job. Even though he didn’t think he faced any real threat, he’d tied the ropes tightly and in several sets of knots besides. By the time Toma’d done enough twisting and turning to get the ropes around his wrists loose enough to pick at the knots, his skin was bloody and raw.
The cleaning girl had been very surprised to come into the room to clean and find him sitting in the chair with his arms still half bound. From what the blushing girl managed to get out it seemed Ueda had paid for his time and forgotten to tell them he’d left someone behind. Toma had the distinct feeling that she thought Ueda had been sleeping with him.
She wasn't wrong.
Toma kept silent through her mumbling - he just needed to be cut free of the ropes so he could get out and... do... something. The girl finally untied him. She gave him time to bathe and pick up the few possessions Ueda had allowed him. When he was finished, Toma quickly left the inn with his head down.
Having been out of the inn a couple of times on Ueda’s reconnaissance missions, Toma knew roughly where he was once he got outside. He could try to pass himself off as a tourist, but he didn’t think it would work well - if he was a tourist, he was one who’d come with no money. If at all possible, Toma definitely didn’t want anyone to link him to the bad things that were about to happen at the palace.
A large part of him wanted nothing more than to run away and leave this all behind. The rest of him knew that if he did run away he’d have nowhere to go and no reason to give anybody to take him in. So he avoided as much eye contact as possible and tried to find his way to the palace.
He’d gone in several hundred circles and taken all the wrong streets when he finally found one of the tourist maps that appeared the closer one got to an attraction. It was with no small dismay that he realized he’d walked himself in the opposite direction from the palace. Quickly, Toma made note of what he hoped would be enough landmarks to take him the right way. Then he turned around and ran back the way he’d come.
------
He was running out of time.
------
Ueda went along with the tour, keeping an eye on every stationed soldier. One might think they weren’t paying attention, or sleeping with their eyes open, their gaze stayed so intently focused on nothing. Ueda saw every slight twitch of ears or quirk of eyebrows when something seemed amiss. He feigned interest in the tour, looking around as the guide pointed out all the interesting features of the hall.
It was almost time.
The guide finished his monotonous, long-memorized speech about the hall, and started to lead the group around a corner to the next section. Ueda went with them for a bit. He was distracted by a large painting on the left wall and paused to examine it.
A minute later fire alarms rang throughout the palace.
As soon as the confusion of scared tourists and soldiers trying to evacuate them began, Ueda ran. He ran straight into a deep recession between one of the large pillars at a corner and a series of thick wooden cases displaying awards received by the royal family. The lighting in the palace had been updated over the years, but not with any particular attention given to illuminating the dark places on an official tour - what assassin would be bothered with going on one?
It was Ueda’s good fortune that he would be setting the precedent.
Once the guards managed to evacuate the entire palace, they'd have to patrol for stragglers, find the source of the disturbance - a timed smoke bomb which he had placed under a fire alarm in the main entry - and seek the offender. They'd have to look through the whole palace, and they'd start in the Royal Quarters before they moved to the rest of it so the royalty and nobility could return as soon as possible.
Ueda would have hours.
A last set of footsteps raced past the recession. Ueda waited for five minutes, but heard nothing save for distant commands being barked. He waited another three minutes. Then crept from his hiding place. He stretched his shoulders luxuriously and smiled.
By the time they finished searching the length and breadth of the palace, the soldiers would be forced to give up the search for the perpetrator of the false fire alarm. Tomorrow morning they would realize what a mistake they’d made when they found the diplomat Matsumoto Jun dead in his rooms. Ueda looked forward to hearing the news break before he left the Borderlands to collect his fee.
------
Taichi ran after Ohno as his charge took off from the Yamashita’s clinic to the palace. He didn’t think Ohno realized exactly how quickly he was moving. He didn’t think he’d ever seen Ohno move so fast, either. They were nearing a crosswalk with the stop sign facing them when Taichi caught a flash of blond hair and a vaguely familiar face. It was heading right for Ohno. Taichi stepped between them and caught the boy before he could reach his target.
“Where do you think you’re headed?” he asked.
The boy ignored him. “Ohno-sama.”
Taichi watched Ohno whirl around and sighed mentally. Whatever happened to people being afraid of bodyguards?
“You’re Ohno-sama, aren’t you?” the boy continued, “You saved Miya from the Eastlands.”
“Yes - what - how did you know that?” Ohno frowned, trying to place the face.
The boy leaned forward. “I was there. I'm Toma, Ohno-sama, but you knew me as Tottchi.”
Ohno’s face cleared immediately. “Of course!”
Taichi let Tottchi - Toma go. He'd thought the face was familiar. He remembered the Pet from Kitagawa’s estate, he remembered that there had been four in all. But Toma hadn't come with them, so what was Toma doing here?
“What are you doing here?” Ohno asked, his brow furrowed deeply.
“I was brought here by Ueda,” Toma said, “An assassin.”
Taichi sprang forward and yanked Toma away from Ohno without a second’s thought, turning to look all around them. The stop sign changed and he shoved Ohno quickly into the street, dragging Toma along behind him.
“Explain yourself,” he snapped.
“When Matsumoto-sama and Ohno-sama left with Miya,” Toma gasped.
Ohno stopped just out of the way of foot traffic when they reached the other side of the street, holding a hand out. “Taichi. Stop. Let him speak or we’ll never hear the story.”
With great reluctance, Taichi did so. He kept a firm hold on Toma’s arm and to his credit, Toma didn't try to break free.
“When Matsumoto-sama and Ohno-sama left with Miya, Kitagawa-sama called for him,” Toma said. “He never really believed that Aiba-chan had gotten free. He didn’t think Aiba-chan was smart enough for it - and he blamed you and Matsumoto-sama. Matsumoto-sama in particular. Ueda started following you hours after your party left. We’ve been here all this time. He’s been watching the palace and he knows that Aiba-chan is there. He’s going to kill Matsumoto-sama and take Aiba-chan back to the Eastlands to claim him.”
Ohno thought his heart might have stopped. His body went cold. Ueda was going to Jun, at the palace. Jun who would probably be with Sho, who was also at the palace, and Nino, who was with Sho. They could all be hurt or killed. Ohno looked up at Taichi, finding his bodyguard looking grimly back at him. It was not a comforting gaze.
“Taichi- ”
“What’s your place in all this?” Taichi barked, staring hard at the boy.
“I was sent to provide him with the comforts of home,” said Toma, his mouth twisting.
“Taichi!” Ohno said again, exasperation creeping into his tone.
“If we run we’ll be there in twenty minutes,” Taichi interrupted decisively. There was a chance Tottchi was lying, but the risks of ignoring him far outweighed those of listening to him. He pushed Ohno a step ahead. “Waiting for a carriage could take us an hour and we don’t have that sort of time. Move it!”
------
Though he was ashamed to admit it, Nino had been frightened out of his wits by the clanging of the fire alarm bells when they’d started blaring through the palace grounds. Sho was often busy with seeing to affairs of state and Jun had his diplomatic duties. Nino had nothing but free time. He’d been with Aiba, as he’d been for the better part of three days, and they had been preparing sets of silverware for a state dinner when the noise started.
Nino had dropped the basket for silverware he’d been collecting from the appropriate drawers and cowered by the cupboards. It was luck that he’d been standing next to Aiba at the time. While the staff set everything down and starting filing out of the kitchens in as orderly a manner as they could, Aiba had gathered Nino quickly into his arms. That had in turn relaxed Nino enough to stand again. They started immediately out a back exit with the rest of the staff.
“Don’t worry,” Aiba had said soothingly, “It’s just the fire alarm. It’s a drill, I bet.”
Nino still didn’t know if it was a drill they’d gone through or not, but it really hadn’t been so bad. They’d gone out into the back where the gardens started and waited until a soldier announced that it was safe to return indoors - there had been no fire in the living quarters. The living quarters were detached enough from the rest of the palace that it wasn't in danger if there was a fire in the Hall.
Even now the rest of the staff let their tongues wag and muttered about the ill-mannered child and how horrified the parents must be and where on earth had they been raised to think something like that was appropriate? Listening to all the rounds of people talking about the same thing was almost amusing, but Nino had been happy to leave with Aiba when they’d been sent away by the head of the kitchen staff.
Sho met up with them in the hallway, looking relieved. “That was something, right?” he said, “I’d forgotten how loud they were.”
They were alone, so Aiba laughed. “You screamed when they started, didn’t you, Sho-sama?”
Sho sputtered but said nothing to contradict him. Nino bit down on his bottom lip to contain a grin. At least he hadn’t been the only one afraid. The prince wrapped his arm around Nino’s shoulders and laughed.
“Well, that threw off the plans for the rest of the day. The guards will be patrolling every hall to be sure it doesn't happen again. All but the most important meetings have been postponed. That means I’ve got nothing to look forward to. Jun will probably be on his way back soon, too.”
“We got shooed out by the Head Cook,” Aiba said, “We were going back to my room. Ah!” He clapped his hands. “Let’s go wait in Jun’s room and surprise him!”
“If we do that, he’ll hit you with those huge rings,” Nino warned.
Aiba laughed and shrugged. “Maybe, but it’ll be worth the look on his face.”
------
Ueda frowned deeply as he passed the huddle of Ami, Miya and the prince, carrying a load of clean sheets. His plan to not be found was to walk everywhere the palace guards had already been and thus were less likely to come again. It was the best way to keep from being discovered doing something stupid like hiding under a bed. It was also the best way to keep informed - gossip spread like wildfire after things like fire alarms; Ueda knew where all the guards were and weren’t just by listening to the conversations of clucking maids.
He’d planned to take his time in getting to Matsumoto’s rooms and hiding himself there while the fervor of the fire alarms was still dying down. Since all the chambers had been checked first, there would be no reason to check them again - he could wait until the diplomat returned and kill the man at his leisure.
Except now it seemed that these three were planning an escapade in the rooms of the marked man. His plan would have to be changed and the timing moved up. It would not do to have the three getting in the way of the death of Matsumoto Jun.
------
The palace grounds were crawling with the Royal Guards and companies of the Royal Army. The sight was one Taichi hadn’t seen in over seventeen years, since the young prince Ninomiya had been stolen in the middle of war. His shoulders tensed seeing it now. Surely the assassin hadn’t already gotten to Matsumoto!
Taichi pushed Toma along in front of him. Ohno walked steadily at his side as they drew closer to the palace doors. Before the entrance stood the Head of the Guard; Taichi drew to a halt and saluted smartly. The middle-aged man saluted in return. Taichi relaxed just a little - the Head of the Guard would never be so relaxed if a man of importance was dead on his watch.
“What happened here, sir?”
“Someone thought it’d be funny to set a smoke bomb under a fire alarm as far as we know,” the man muttered gruffly. “Go along. We checked the living quarters. They're clear of the perpetrator. Full sweep of the grounds hasn’t been completed yet.”
Taichi saluted once again and pushed Toma on. Ohno followed, frowning, and Taichi understood. A smoke bomb on the same day an assassin planned to kill a diplomat? Too coincidental. A brief look at Tottchi only proved it.
Toma looked back up at Taichi solemnly. “The grounds aren’t where they should be looking. The palace isn’t clear,” he said. “Ueda is in there. He works almost exclusively for Kitagawa and he’s never been caught in any of his plots. He’s hidden himself in plain sight.”
Taichi clenched his jaw. He let go of Toma and stopped in the entry hall. “Ohno, take him and find Jun if you can. I’m going to round up help. I’ll have the palace searched again.”
Ohno nodded and took a hold of Toma’s wrist, pulling him down the long halls of the palace. Taichi watched them go for exactly one second, then turned and went in the other direction - he needed to find Nagase.
------
“We don’t have much time, but Ueda won’t strike until everything is settled,” Toma said, following in Ohno’s surprisingly fast footsteps with ease. “He likes to watch the fuss when the death is discovered. He can’t do that if everyone is running to and fro.”
Ohno simply nodded. Was Nino here? Was he with Jun? What would happen if - Ohno forcibly stopped his thoughts and frowned, firming his jaw. Ueda wouldn’t have Jun. He wouldn’t have Aiba. He wouldn’t have Nino. Not while Ohno lived to stop it.
He just had to figure out how he was going to do that.
------
Matsumoto Jun’s chambers were dim in the changing light when Ueda closed the door on an empty hall behind him. It wasn’t yet evening, but where the windows faced the late afternoon light barely reached them. Ueda looked around the receiving room and sniffed. How plush and useless. Just like every other nobleman, here it was assumed power came in having things.
Ueda knew so much better.
A room full of furniture and decoration only meant there were more shadows, more places for the enemy to hide, more things to paint in glorious red blood. Matsumoto would return to his sanctuary of material goods, thinking himself safe, only to wake up dead. Ueda would gloat at his funeral. He slipped from the receiving room to the bedroom, taking a quick stock of the place. A large bed hung with heavy curtains, several chairs around a small, round table, several more scattered throughout the room. A wardrobe large enough to hold several people standing upright.
It was perhaps cliche, but people never did check their wardrobes for danger. Ueda opened the door, pushed some clothes aside, and pressed himself to the back wall. He arranged the many neat suits and pressed coats to cover him, leaving only a bare slit between them should he need to see. The door had been left closed, so Ueda closed it carefully. It wouldn’t matter; his hearing was good enough to determine how many people were in a room.
Ueda wasn’t looking to kill many. He needed only to wait until there was just one person left.
------
Jun left Nagase at the doors of his bodyguard’s room.
“You sure you don’t want any company?” Nagase asked.
Jun smirked. Just by the look on Nagase’s face, his bodyguard had known that he would be turned down.
“No,” Jun said. “I’m just going to stare at my walls until Aiba comes to scratch at the doors. All the commotion will give me some time to catch up before things are back in order.”
Nagase saluted. “All right then. I’ll come for you when I have the new itinerary.”
Jun nodded his thanks. He watched his bodyguard disappear from sight. When the doors closed Jun looked up and down the halls. The coast was clear. He sighed and stretched his arms over his head, yawning widely.
What a day. Meetings from the break of dawn with barely a thought for breakfast, only to be interrupted by some brat who’d thought it would be funny to start a fire alarm. In the palace of all places!
Even if the Royal Family was putting an indulgent spin on their public reaction to the event, or would do so once they allowed reporters in for comment, Jun thought it was a stupid act worthy of at least a short prison sentence. Unfortunately that would not happen. Jun would just have to rant and rave about his feelings later, when he and Aiba were alone, or maybe when Nagase came with the itinerary.
Or when he, Aiba and Nino were alone, as was the recent trend. If his meetings were all canceled, there was no reason that Aiba and Nino should still be working. Jun stretched his arms again and opened the doors to his receiving chambers. He might as well get some paperwork done until the peace was disturbed.
------
Jun closed the doors just as Taichi rounded the corner at a dead run.
------
Taichi pounded on Nagase’s door, trying to regain his breath at the same time. He’d run practically the width of the palace, from the entrance to the soldier’s quarters to the offices and finally now to Nagase’s room.
“Nagase! Nagase!”
It took less than twenty seconds for Nagase to open the door, but as far as Taichi knew it might have been twenty seconds too long. The door was thrown open from the inside and Nagase appeared, eyes wide.
“What, what is it? I already paid out!”
Taichi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. “I know that,” he said quickly, darting a glance down the hall. “Where’s Matsumoto-sama?”
“Jun?” Nagase echoed, blinking. “In his room, I imagine. I just left him there. Why?”
Taichi pulled Nagase’s head in. “Did anything happen after the fire alarm went off? Have you seen anyone suspicious nearby?”
“Of course not,” Nagase snorted. “Except you.” He pulled himself out of Taichi’s grip and frowned. “You look like you just ran over a kid's dog. What’s going on here?”
But before Taichi could say anything, trampling footsteps interrupted them. Quickly Taichi jumped away from Nagase and slid into a stance ready for combat. Nagase followed his lead automatically though he clearly had no idea what he was meant to be ready for.
It didn’t matter anyway.
------
The trampling footsteps belonged to none other than Ohno, Sho, Aiba, Toma and Nino.
------
Sho, Aiba and Nino were about to turn a corner into the residences of the Royal Family and the palace court, when a loud symphony of running feet and heavy breathing behind them startled them into stopping.
“Aiba! Nino!”
Nino spun around, his eyes huge. Aiba fared no better. They knew that voice. Nino couldn’t speak. Aiba gaped. Sho was more surprised to see a stranger with Ohno, but even he could tell from the shocked faces of his friends that the owner of that voice wasn’t supposed to be here.
Aiba found his voice first. “TOMA?!”
Ohno and Toma skidded to a stop, both breathing harshly. Toma’s eyes were wide with fear and Ohno’s face was pale. He looked like he was about to say something when his eyes strayed from Sho’s face and moved to the left - where Nino was. Sho frowned immediately. Something was wrong, but this was not the time for Ohno and Nino to confront each other. Not here, not like this. He stepped forward, both to stop it before it could start and to force Ohno to explain why he’d come.
“What’s going on?”
“Why are you here?” Aiba blurted, staring at the stranger - at Toma.
Toma said one word: “Ueda.”
Nino’s hand went to Sho’s wrist immediately, grabbing it tightly. His body shook. Sho, startled, looked away from Ohno and down at his brother. “Nino?”
“Assassin,” Nino breathed.
Toma nodded, looking at Ohno and then Sho. He didn’t seem to realize he was speaking to a prince, but Sho couldn’t find it in himself to care. He just wanted to know what was going on - what assassin? Ohno finally wrenched his gaze away from Nino and met Sho’s once more.
“An assassin from the Eastlands. Kitagawa sent him when we left, to kill Jun for taking Aiba. Seems like he’s been here as long as we have - he’ll know his way around the palace like he lives here.”
“He’s here, your Highness," Toma added. "He left this morning, and he’s very good. The fire alarm was his doing. He’s here to kill Matsumoto-sama. He’s not going to stop until he does, and then he’ll come after Nino and Aiba. If he can’t capture them, he’ll kill them, too.”
Sho held Nino tighter. His face went pale. “How far could he have gotten?”
“He left early in the morning - he could easily be in Matsumoto-sama’s room already.”
The prince said nothing. Even if he might have taken Toma’s words for a tall tale at any other time, Sho believed Nino. If he thought there was something he could do to make Aiba and Nino stay behind, he would have done it. As it was Sho grabbed Nino’s wrist and started running.
They had to get to Jun’s rooms.
------
“What in all seven hells is going on here?” Nagase demanded. “Everybody comes here looking like they’ve been running a mara-thing and nobody's saying why.”
“Where’s Jun?” Sho asked.
Nagase snapped to attention. “I just left him in his room, your Highness.”
“Get him out,” Sho ordered. “There’s an assassin.”
That was all that was needed. Nagase bolted from the door, yanked his sword from the rack, and raced to the short hall that connected his room to Jun’s. Taichi broke away from the pack, running for the hall doors. There was a split second of confusion in which Toma, Sho, Nino, Aiba and Ohno stared at each other.
Then Aiba took a step back. He turned on his heel and ran, shouting, “Jun-sama!” over and over, as loud as he could.
The second he moved, Nino and Toma took off after him. And when Nino left, neither Sho nor Ohno would be left behind.
------
Inside Matsumoto’s room, Ueda slithered out from his hiding place, his eyes wide with desperation as he searched for his target. Where was the diplomat? Ueda crept forward and pulled a dagger from its sheath. He went to the bedroom door and opened it carefully, peering out. The room beyond was crowded with furniture, books, and other ornamentation, but it was also brightly lit.
Matsumoto sat at a desk, his back to the bedroom and his head bent over several stacks of paper.
Heavy footsteps from somewhere pounded in time with Ueda’s heart. Mastumoto’s back tensed and he lifted his head to look towards the hall in curiosity.
Ueda lunged for Matsumoto’s back, silent as a whisper. He was out of time. But so were the Borderlanders.
Perhaps catching Ueda’s movement in his peripheral vision, Matsumoto jerked in his seat, whipping around, clearly startled. Ueda smirked. Forgetting there was a chair in the way, Matsumoto attempted to stand, but all he managed was to trip over his own feet. He fell as Ueda’s arm came down, gravity pulling him swiftly. Ueda simply changed his trajectory and swung for the floor.
Matsumoto hit the ground and rolled before Ueda could complete the arc. The dagger was buried in the plush carpet. Matsumoto scrambled to regain his feet. Ueda gave the dagger a tug. When it didn’t immediately give way, he abandoned it for a new dagger. Matsumoto had only just gotten himself standing again.
The bedroom door behind him burst open. Ueda turned to look at his new obstacle. Matsumoto’s bodyguard glowered back at him, face set in rage. His sword gleamed in his hand and Ueda knew he had lost. He could still take Matsumoto with him. Ueda prepared to throw.
“Jun!” the bodyguard snapped.
No longer looking at Ueda in stupefied wonder, Matsumoto threw himself to the side. Ueda’s dagger sank into Matsumoto’s thigh, but wouldn’t be fatal. Ueda noted with disgust that it might not even be particularly crippling. He reached for another dagger.
Before he could do anything, cold metal plunged into his back. The bodyguard’s blade, if Ueda felt it right. It made him stumble, but Matsumoto was still in front of him, and now he was down for the count. Ueda swung again. Someone yanked on the blade in his back, whirling him like a bag and sending him crashing into the nearest wall. Colors swirled before Ueda’s eyes. He blinked rapidly, trying to get his vision to settle. It took several minutes for him to realize that the shadow standing over him was holding a longer sword to his neck.
Another minute later Ueda realized he was being bound.
“Can’t finish it yourself?” he gurgled.
“We’ll finish it publically,” growled one of the shadows. It moved. “Your Highness might want to raise the alarm.”
Ueda spat at the shadow’s feet. He was summarily hauled to his feet. Pain flared in his jaw in addition to the pain radiating from the blade wound in his back. His eyes focused on a furious pair in front of him. He spat again.
The furious face suddenly smiled. “Spit all you like. You won’t be able to much longer.”
------
In the end they hadn’t been necessary.
Nino stood with his shoulder pressed tight against Toma’s, watching everything happen around him. He felt strangely detached from it all. Jun’s wound had been kept under pressure while they waited for the physician; it was not cleaned and bandaged properly and Jun was resting on his day bed. Aiba fussed over Jun like the diplomat would disappear if he looked away. Proving how shaken he was by the experience, Jun took all the fussing silently.
Ueda was long gone but there were still explanations to give. Guards combed every inch of Jun's rooms, the hall connecting his room to Nagase’s, the main hall, and the grounds below his window.
Sho stood in the middle of the room, organizing the efforts.
And Ohno.
Nino hadn’t yet dared to meet Ohno’s gaze, but he knew that he was being watched. He didn’t know what to do. He owed it to Ohno to talk to him but he didn’t want to. He was afraid to. He didn’t know what Ohno would have to say to him after he’d left and refused to go back.
A guard stepped into the room and stood at attention, looking straight ahead and clearing his throat. “His Royal Majesty, the King Sakurai.”
Nino jumped. He automatically tried to hide himself behind Toma. Even though he had mostly accepted that what Sho said was true, that he was the little brother Sho wanted him to be, Nino had no desire to let anyone else know of his existence. Not even the person who was supposed to be his father.
The king entered. Everyone save Sho bowed.
“Rise,” said the king impatiently.
As one, everybody did - Jun leaning heavily on Aiba. Toma pressed closer to Nino’s side. Nino shifted to wrap an arm around his waist, moving carefully so he didn’t attract unwanted attention. Toma’s body was stiff and fairly vibrated with tension. Nino understood well why he was nervous.
“Father - “ Sho started.
The king put up a hand. “I have heard everything second hand already. I wish to have my questions answered from the source.” His gaze swept over the assembled faces until it fell on Nino and Toma. “Which of you is... Toma?”
Toma swallowed, stepping forward a pace; Nino let his arm fall to his side. “I am, your Highness.”
You came here, to my domain, with the assassin?”
“I did your Highness. A gift from Lord Kitagawa to Ueda for the duration of his time here.”
“You knew of his intent?”
“Yes, your Highness. He explained in detail several times. He even brought me here to learn the layout of the palace. We took the tours.”
“But he failed. I am led to understand that this is due to you.”
Toma shook his head quickly. “My part would have meant nothing had not Lord Ohno and Taichi-san believed me.”
“You, I hear, met them when Matsumoto and Ohno were sent to the Kitagawa estate.”
“Yes, your Highness. But not for very long.”
The king nodded slowly. He looked to Nino. Nino froze under the sudden gaze. The king’s eyes were the same intense brown of Sho’s, but they held none of the warmth that Nino saw when he looked into his brother’s.
“I have come to understand that my son has been keeping you here.”
Nino nodded, looking away. He was in trouble. “Yes, your Highness. He has.”
“Where is your bear?”
“On my pillow where I left it,” Nino answered without thinking. He blinked, realizing only a second later what he’d been asked, and looked up.
The king looked back at him levelly. “Show me to your mother’s garden.”
Nino worried his lip. “I only know the way from our rooms, your Highness. She carried me.”
“Then we will leave from her rooms.” Nino looked at Sho in panic. The king cleared his throat. “Of course your friends may go with you. Sho will follow with me.”
Nino looked around slowly. Aiba frowned, seemingly not understanding what was happening. Jun, however, frowned thoughtfully. “Aiba.”
Aiba snapped to attention.
“Get me up,” Jun said. “If we’re moving, I’m not going to be left behind.”
Nino chanced a look at Ohno. The nobleman stood, looking as stunned as Nino had ever seen him. Toma took Nino’s hand and tugged it to bring his focus back.
“They’re waiting, Mi- Nino.”
Shocked back to awareness, Nino nodded slowly. He bowed to Sho and the King. Then, gripping Toma’s hand, he left the room. It was slow going from Jun’s rooms to Sho’s; Nino wasn’t terribly familiar with the halls between them. But from Sho’s rooms he knew the way to his own - his former ones - and from his former rooms he knew the way to the garden. His mother’s small, locked up garden.
Nino’s feet took him down the same path he’d wanted to see when Sho had brought him. This time Sho didn’t stop him. He didn’t feel any different as they walked, either. He was aware of Toma at his side. He knew that Sho, Aiba, Jun, Ohno and the King were following him. He noticed the palace guards pausing to bow and watch them pass before returning to their rounds.
He saw the bench.
Nino stopped in front of it. He had very few memories of a time before Kitagawa. Those ones he did have were fuzzy, but they were undeniable. “We’d stop here. Mother would have let me walk, but I’d be tired.”
He bit his lip and started again, bringing them the corner of ivy-covered walls. His hand trailed in the leaves as they walked. It felt familiar, like something he’d done before, but if asked, Nino wouldn’t be able to say when he’d done it. They walked down the rest of the path, stopping before the door to the garden. Even knowing it would be locked, Nino reached for the handle, testing it. It didn’t budge.
“Locked...” Nino murmured sadly. Struck by an idea then, he turned to the king. “Did they take both keys, your Highness?”
The King looked startled. “Both? We have only one key.”
Nino brightened. He had a vague idea that he’d loved the garden - and knowing that his mother had made him want to see it even more. He stuck his hand into the ivy, pushing between the leaves and vines.
“Mother showed me this every time we came here,” he said quietly.
Finally his fingers ran over a line of brick that stuck out from the wall. It wasn’t a great distinction, but it was enough. Nino grasped as much of the brick as he could, wiggling it, pulling, grasping more of it, and repeating until the brick finally came loose from the wall. He set the brick down and reached into the hole, removing a small silver key.
“Your Highness,” he said, turning and offering the key to the King.
With a somewhat trembling hand, the King took it. He looked at the key. He lifted his gaze and looked at Nino for a long time before he stepped to the garden door and tried the key in the lock. It turned. Nino could hear the tumblers turn and click. The King pushed the door open, but he didn’t go inside.
Instead he turned and pulled Nino to his chest, hugging him tightly. Nino’s breath caught in his throat.
“You came back...” the King whispered. His whole body shook. “I never... I’d given up hope...”
“It was Ohno-sama who saved me,” Nino said. The words fell stiffly, but Nino figured he should be forgiven - he was being hugged by the king. “I would be dead if not for him.”
The King pulled away, but left his hands on Nino’s shoulders. He looked at a point over Nino’s head; at Ohno, or Sho, or maybe at both. “Thank you, Satoshi. Sho. Now, perhaps we should resume this in private.” He smiled, returning his gaze to Nino. “There is much to be done yet.”
------
There was much to be done, but then there wasn’t. Sho and Jun and the King were kept busy, and even Toma and Ohno, but Nino and Aiba had no place. Toma’s testimony sealed Ueda’s fate, and then he had no place. He and Aiba and Nino stayed with Taichi, curled up together, speaking very little while they waited. Even after, when Jun’s part was finished, Ohno and Sho were held up in a gathering of nobility.
Jun and Aiba retired to his rooms soon after Jun’s part was complete, leaving Nino and Toma with Taichi in Nagase’s rooms. Silence reigned for a long time. Nagase closed the door behind Jun and Aiba, then sat down next to Taichi.
Taichi kept staring at Nino, though he wouldn’t speak right away. “... Nino.”
“I’ll talk to him,” Nino said softly. “I know I owe him that much.”
“I was going to say I’d hold him if you wanted to punch him in the face,” Taichi said. He chuckled at the shocked look Nino gave him and shook his head. “But if you want to talk, that’s good too. ... He missed you.”
Nino relaxed slightly, offering Taichi the best smile he could muster. Toma nuzzled his shoulder comfortingly, and Nino relaxed marginally more. He really did know that he had to talk to Ohno, but he still wasn’t looking forward to it.
------
It was late at night when the chance finally came. The meetings had gone on that whole day, pausing only for dinner. There were committees to be made and new laws to be enacted, but first those laws had to be created. Ohno was not on any of the committees - by his involvement with the parties that were behind the creation he wasn’t allowed to be - but he would be needed to vote when the time came, so he was required to know what each process was.
Nino stayed in Ohno’s temporary rooms in the back wing, waiting for Ohno’s return. Toma had been given lodging in Taichi’s attached room until his end was decided. So Nino waited alone, sitting in a ball in one of the oversized chairs and watching the door.
He still nearly jumped out of his skin with nerves when the door opened to admit the nobleman.
Ohno jumped, too, blinking rapidly at Nino. “N-nino?”
Chewing his lip, Nino stood. He watched Ohno carefully, murmuring a soft: “Ohno.”
“You-”
“I-”
They both stopped and looked at each other. Ohno closed the door behind him and took two steps into the room. He didn’t come any closer. Even so, Nino could see he looked nervous. Nino took a step forward. He wanted to take Ohno’s hand, but it wasn’t the time.
“Are you okay?” Ohno asked. “Have you been well?”
Nino nodded slowly. “Yes. I have been. I am still. Tomohisa at the Yamashita clinic... he found me, the day I left. He let me stay. Taught me how to work there.”
“I looked for you. I had Taichi out every day.”
“I know. Taichi came one day. He told me. I’m sorry that you had to do that.”
Ohno shook his head. “No, I’m sorry. I never should have said those things. But I was startled. You caught me off guard and I reacted poorly. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
Nino gave Ohno a small smile. “I’m sorry about that, too. I was only thinking about myself then.”
He sat without asking for permission. Ohno moved as though pulled by his actions, sitting next to him. There was a moment where Ohno looked like he was going to reach out. Nino saw Ohno’s hands clench around his knees in agitation. It looked like Ohno was going to say something, so Nino spoke quickly.
“It’s hard, you know. Trying to let go of that me. I know I keep getting told it won’t come back, that I'm free of that life, but it’s still hard to believe it. It was my life. It was me for so many years.”
He paused, chewing his lip, and finally met Ohno’s eyes. “I’m going to stay here, Ohno.”
Ohno’s hands gripped his pants. “But- ”
“I’m being selfish again, I know,” Nino interrupted. “I’m sorry for that, too. I just... I think it’s something better for us both. You can get married without worrying about me. You have Saya to take care of you. You'll have Saya to take care of. Now I have Sho to take care of me.”
Ohno’s face pinched as if in pain. His jaw twitched and his mouth moved, but no sound came out. Then Ohno stood. He pulled Nino up and tightly to his chest. Nino stayed frozen in his arms for several seconds. Ohno pressed his face into Nino’s hair.
“When you left, when I realized you were gone, I felt hollow,” he murmured.
“I think you felt guilty,” Nino replied, just as quiet. “You take a lot on your shoulders, and you don’t tell others when it’s too much. Trying to take care of me is too much for you because I'm not getting better fast enough. I'm frustrating you.” At long last, he wrapped his arms around Ohno’s waist. “Maybe we can be real friends some day. When I get better.”
Pressed so close to him, Nino could hear Ohno swallow. He could feel Ohno’s grip tighten. Then it loosened. Ohno pressed his lips to Nino’s forehead, then he stepped back.
“We’ll be friends, always, if you want it.”
Nino smiled. “I do. I’d like that a lot, Ohno.”
Disclaimer: (n) A statement disclaiming something, especially responsibility.
Pairing: none
Rating: R
Word Count: ~9800
Notes: お待たせしまいました。 I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting, but at last, at loooooooong last, this Ridiculous Thing has finally come to an end. It started out as something that was supposed to be a light and fluffy NaNoWriMo two years ago. It has been a long journey of crazy and twisted wannabe Victorian melodrama, but it is done. I can only hope you’ve enjoyed your time with it even a little.
Major thanks to nande_daiyo and maiaide for their betaing.
You, uh, might want to reread/re-skim some of the story before reading this. It has been that long since the last chapter.
Sho took Nino to Jun’s chambers so he could meet with Aiba - as Sho’s original intention had been. Jun was still out and completing his diplomatic duties for the day, but Aiba was back in from the kitchens where he’d taken to loitering with the help while Jun was working, occasionally helping to set meals during large parties.
They had barely made it through the doors when Aiba greeted Nino by throwing himself at Nino with a wail. Because he was watching, Sho noticed Nino start at the loud noise. But rather than step back as Sho would have expected, Nino simply caught Aiba and hugged him close.
“Nino! It’s been SO LONG!” Aiba wailed.
“I know. I’m sorry,” Nino said softly.
Sho watched with a fond smile as Aiba nuzzled into Nino’s hair, then dug his chin into Nino's head and pouted. “I was beginning to think you stopped liking me.”
Nino shook his head. “No, no. I just forgot to- ” He paused and hurried on as soon as he realized what he’d said. “I mean, I didn’t forget you- Not like that- not in a bad way. Just.” Nino stopped, saw Aiba smiling, and laughed sheepishly. “Things happened. Not all-that-great things.”
Aiba drew Nino over to the couch in Jun’s receiving room. He sat, pulling Nino down with him, and Sho took a spot on the other end of the couch. Nino settled between them, drawing his legs up under himself by force of habit.
“I know,” Aiba said, “So now you can make it up to me. How much time do we have before you have to go back to Ohno-san’s house?” he paused. “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen him lately. Jun-sama's been complaining about his absence, too. Did he go out on business, Sho-sama?”
Nino looked up at Sho automatically, eyes wide and worried. It was an unsubtle hint for Sho to tell Nino that Ohno had not left the country; Sho took it and offered a smile of assurance. “No, no, he’s still in the capital. He’s just been able to do a lot of his work from the mansion - we haven’t had any particular need of him here.”
Which wasn't a complete lie. Ohno had been neglecting his duties to his station, and if he didn't show up at the palace soon something would have to be done. The King's affection for his son's friends only stretched so far.
But Aiba nodded, satisfied with the explanation. He nudged Nino’s side, grinning. “Let’s go play something then! The grounds here are huge! There are a ton of gardens - oh! You should see the one with the fountains.”
As he spoke, Aiba jumped to his feet and pulled Nino up with him, starting to drag him from the room. Nino looked back at Sho, and Sho laughed, standing as well. He placed his hand between Nino’s shoulder blades, giving him a shove.
“Come on, he’ll only talk your ear off if you don’t go along quietly.”
Nino smiled. “You have a point there.”
They left to Aiba’s loud protests of the defamation of his character.
------
Three days later, Nino had not expressed a desire to return to either the Yamashita’s clinic or the Ohno’s mansion. Sho had not questioned him. In a movement of impulse that his father would probably have his head for, Sho simply moved Nino into a spare room in his chambers and sent a messenger to the clinic to inform them of the change. Nino spent most of his time with Aiba, following him around the palace grounds and staying out of the way of both staff and nobility.
Though he tried, Sho couldn’t take all of his meals with Nino, and for those three days Sho was only able to spend time with Nino at night. Each night Nino had been settled in bed by the time Sho returned, so they would spend only a little time talking before Sho took to his own.
This night was different.
This night Sho returned to his chambers and found Nino sitting on his bed, plucking at the thick cover between his fingers. The prince dismissed his chamber attendant and moved to the bedside, sitting down and placing a hand on Nino’s knee.
“Nino? What’s wrong?”
There was a long silence. Sho almost thought that his brother wouldn’t answer. When he did his voice was so quiet and small that Sho almost didn’t hear it.
“Can I stay with you?”
Sho’s eyes bugged. He stared at the top of Nino’s head. Surely he hadn’t heard right. Nino asking to stay with him? Even if he did believe now that he was Sho’s brother, that didn’t make any sense - Nino hated being in positions where he might draw attention. Sho stared so long that Nino looked up at him, brow furrowed.
“Sho?”
“Of course!” Sho blurted. “Just, why?”
“I don’t want a position,” Nino said quickly, "or a title, or anything like that." His lips quirked into a pale smile. “I just want a family. I want to be unbroken. You don’t have to keep me here, just visit me.”
Sho couldn’t help it. He pulled Nino into his arms and hugged him close. “You can stay wherever you want. My rooms, your own old rooms, with Masaki,” he murmured. “I'll work something out with father, somehow. But... but what about Ohno?”
“Ohno-sama will get married, like you and Jun-sama, right? It’s his duty, and he’s been engaged to Saya-san for a long time. He's been ignoring her because of me. So even if he wanted me to stay with him, she wouldn’t like it and I don’t want to get in the way.”
“Is it really okay, Nino?”
Nino nodded. “I think I might like him. I could even love him. But I know he doesn’t like me. Even if he did... I can’t give him children. I can't be a wife. What would Saya-sama’s family think if he left her for me? It would be a terrible thing, wouldn't it? Her family would never forgive him.”
“But- ”
“I can't... I can't take care of myself yet, Sho," Nino said. His voice was steady. "And Ohno-sama... Ohno-sama can't either, I don't think. Maybe he and I can be friends someday, when I don’t frustrate him.” Nino smiled. “He’s done a lot for me and I’d like that.”
Sho sighed. “You have to tell him that.”
Nino nodded. “I know. I will, if he comes back to work.”
“I’ll speak to Father about it all tomorrow," Sho said. He chewed his lip and added gently, "I don't... I can't promise that he'll believe like I do, but he’ll want to see you before he agrees to a new addition.”
Nino looked pale at the thought of meeting Sho's father. Sho knew Nino probably hadn't even considered that part of his request. That he would have to present himself to the king, Sho's father. Nino's father. To Sho's mind there was no doubt of that, and he was almost certain that his father would feel the same, even if Nino didn't.
Nino looked pale, almost queasy, but he nodded.
Sho knew then that Nino was serious.
------
Taichi watched the wall opposite him with great intent while Ohno's mother and father finally settled the wedding date with Saya’s parents. Ohno and Saya were seated next to each other, arms linked. Judging from the look in his eyes Ohno wasn’t even paying attention to the proceedings. He didn’t seem to be terribly aware of the fact that Saya was on his arm, either - though Taichi figured that it was because Ohno had grown so used to her presence that she could strip on the table and Ohno wouldn't bat an eye.
Taichi shifted his weight slightly and let his thoughts wander farther away from the room.
It had been three days since he’d seen Nino at the Yamashita’s clinic. Three days since he’d made the promise not to tell Ohno of Nino’s whereabouts. Three days since he'd lied to Ohno’s face. Ohno hadn’t asked about Nino since then, but he continued to avoid his duties. He hadn’t gone to the palace, even though he would no longer go out to look for Nino.
Nagase had even expressed concern about it when Taichi had seen him just a day ago. Nagase didn’t often express concern about anything.
The meeting concluded with much hand-shaking. Taichi pulled his thoughts back to the present. He watched Ohno's and Saya’s parents congratulate each other on the smooth arrangement and promised to get together soon to begin planning for the announcement dinner, and then for the ceremony itself. Saya smiled and kissed Ohno’s cheek. Ohno smiled and brought her hand to his lips automatically.
Taichi went with Ohno to his rooms after Saya’s family had gone. Ohno stretched his shoulders, sitting down on the edge of his bed. He looked up at Taichi as though just realizing he was there, offering him a vague hint of a smile.
“Finally settled on a date.”
Taichi nodded. “Yes, Ohno-sama.”
Ohno leaned back and looked out the window. “Somehow I thought we’d never really get married.”
“Are you not pleased?”
“Of course I am. It was just one of those things I started to forget to think about.”
Taichi shook his head. Had he not been with Ohno for so long, he’d never have learned to read his charge’s convoluted way of speaking. As it was, he could understand the sentiment behind Ohno's words. Ohno wasn't excited for it. He was pleased, even if he wasn't happy, because he was fond of Saya and always had been - but Ohno and Saya were friends, and while Saya was in love, Ohno wasn't.
Taichi sat boldly down on the edge of the bed without waiting for an invitation as he normally would have. “I know where Nino is, Ohno-sama.”
Ohno’s head snapped around. His eyes were focused and intent. “Where?”
“I saw him with Yamashita Tomohisa the other day. I believe he’s been staying at the clinic.”
Ohno's hand shot out and held Taichi’s wrist tightly. “He’s still there?”
“I believe so. Yamashita seemed to have no intention of letting him leave.”
“But he knows that Nino belongs here,” Ohno said, frowning.
Taichi remained quiet. It was not his place to speak for Yamashita about his intentions. Ohno probably wouldn’t have heard him anyway - he was standing and pacing the length of his room. Taichi watched him, wondering about the sudden change. Ohno had always been an enigma; even now, knowing as much of Ohno as he did, Taichi couldn’t profess to understand all of him.
Ohno stopped by the window and spun towards Taichi. “I have to bring him back.”
“No, Ohno-sama," Taichi said firmly. "You have to return to your duties. You’ve not been to the palace in weeks; your absence has been noted and the Prince will not be able to cover for you forever. You have your wedding set now. You have to return to your life.”
Ohno looked like Taichi had punched him in the gut, but Taichi looked steadily back at him. Finally Ohno bowed his head and nodded.
“You’re right. I have been remiss in neglecting my position. I will return today,” Ohno said. He went to his closet, gathering clothes suitable for the weather. “I will return to the palace as soon as I have brought Nino back home.”
Taichi frowned. “Yamashita would prefer him to return on his own.”
“He belongs here,” Ohno said firmly, “He should come back now. Come with me. He’ll need clothes - I know he didn’t take his jacket with him.”
The bodyguard sighed deeply. He’d never known Ohno to be this stubborn. He also couldn’t ignore a direct order from him, much as he wanted to simply pick Ohno up by the seat of his pants and drop him into the palace grounds. He stood and followed Ohno dutifully. Hopefully the sooner they saw and spoke to Nino the sooner he would be able to get Ohno to return to his duties.
------
Ueda was done. He’d been dragging the mission out, because he set his fees and his clients paid by the day and knew better than to ask questions or suggest that Ueda work on their schedule. (An employer several clients before Kitagawa had tried that; Ueda had completed his job and then killed everyone who worked on the man’s estate but the man himself. Due to the nature of his employment, nothing could be done about it except spread the warning.)
But now it was getting boring. Ueda had been waiting for all these months. He would wait no longer. Tonight the country would come to ruin. Tonight Ueda would become the most powerful man in the Eastlands - and nobody knew it but him.
He’d collected everything he needed to secure an easy path into the palace. The Borderlands had become too complacent in the years since they’d avoided the failed invasion. Their security was lax and the training regimens they put their soldiers through were nothing compared to the guards who worked for the Royals and Nobles of the East. The part of Ueda that was still a soldier had found the flaws pitiable. He hoped on one hand that those who guarded the royal family itself were better than the ones assigned to the palace grounds. On the other hand, this was going to make his life so much easier.
Ueda pulled Tottchi to him. “I’m going out tonight, pretty.”
The Pet glared sullenly, and didn’t sound particularly happy when he said, “Good for you.”
Ueda smiled. He stood, hauling Tottchi with him, and threw him into a wooden chair. He relished in the pained yelp that pulled itself from Tottchi's tightly clenched jaw. While Tottchi was stunned, Ueda grabbed the rope he’d set aside that morning. He wrapped it several times around the Pet’s torso and then his wrists, tying the knots tightly.
“I’m going out. I’m going to change the face of politics in this country, and you are going to sit here and wait for me,” Ueda said, coming around to face Tottchi.
Tottchi continued to glare, sitting silent.
Ueda clicked his tongue at the boy and went about gathering his tools. Several knives slipped into hidden sheaths along the lining of his coat. He carried a few vials of poison and his little bottle of opiate just in case. He slid into his coat and patted it down, straightening it over the weapons. It sat completely smooth.
Ueda smiled happily at Tottchi. “Well then, I’ll see you later. Don’t wait up, dear.”
------
The minute the door closed behind him, Toma began to twist in his bonds.
------
Ohno had been set to storm into the Yamashita’s clinic, demand to see Nino, wrap him up in the warm coat Taichi was carrying, and bring him back to the mansion. He managed to storm into the clinic, but before he could demand to see Nino he had to engage in a conversation with the elder Yamashita and his wife. It felt like hours instead of minutes. They finally called their son down to meet with Ohno, but again his demand to see Nino was waylaid.
“He’s not here, Ohno-sama.”
Ohno blinked stupidly at the lanky boy. “What?”
“He’s not here,” Yamashita repeated.
“Where did he go?”
“I imagine he’s still with Sakurai-sama at the palace.”
Ohno’s mind went blank. Nino... at the palace? With Sho? Still there? How long had it been? He leaned forward, gripping the edge of the counter until his knuckles turned white. Yamashita had the decency to look a little sheepish.
“Since when has he been there?” Ohno asked, his voice strangled.
“Nino went with Sakurai-sama three days ago. It seems he has been spending much of his time with Aiba-san.”
“But he was here before that?”
“Yes, Ohno-sama,” Yamashita admitted. His eyes narrowed slightly and the sheepishness left his face. “He stayed here for about a week. I found him crying on the sidewalk without a coat and with no place else to go. He’s convinced you want nothing do with him.”
Ohno could do nothing but stare, his mouth half-open dumbly. Crying on the street? Thought that Ohno wanted nothing to do with him? The worst part was that he couldn’t refute anything. He couldn’t tell Yamashita that there was no way Nino could possibly think that, because he knew that he'd made Nino feel exactly that way.
He’d never been good at explaining. Impromptu words got stuck in his throat. Even the most rehearsed explanation never came out the way it was supposed to. He could never stay ahead of the game - he could barely keep up with it. That was why Ohno hated his position in the court. He hated the birthright that expected him to be smooth and witty when he spoke. He hated that he was never allowed to do anything at his own pace. He hated that anything he wanted to do had to be done for him, that anything he wanted had to be submitted to a hundred different judges for approval.
Even Saya hadn’t been his choice. Ohno was fond of her, yes. But she’d been his friend before anything else and he’d liked her best that way. He’d learned not to mind the match because he was lucky that he’d been arranged to a friend. Still, Ohno couldn’t help but feel that she had changed since they’d become formally engaged. He hadn’t felt as close to her since the announcement. He knew that she knew it. He’d essentially pushed her away, as he had done to Nino.
The difference was that he wouldn’t lose Saya; his parents, her parents, and Saya herself would never let go. He could and would most definitely lose Nino if nothing was done. Ohno clenched his fist and looked determinedly at Yamashita. “He is still staying with Sakurai-sama?”
“Yes, Ohno-sama.”
Ohno turned on his heel and motioned to Taichi. “You get your wish, Taichi. We’re going to the palace.”
------
It took Toma much longer than he’d hoped it would to get free from the chair. Ueda took no chances on the job. Even though he didn’t think he faced any real threat, he’d tied the ropes tightly and in several sets of knots besides. By the time Toma’d done enough twisting and turning to get the ropes around his wrists loose enough to pick at the knots, his skin was bloody and raw.
The cleaning girl had been very surprised to come into the room to clean and find him sitting in the chair with his arms still half bound. From what the blushing girl managed to get out it seemed Ueda had paid for his time and forgotten to tell them he’d left someone behind. Toma had the distinct feeling that she thought Ueda had been sleeping with him.
She wasn't wrong.
Toma kept silent through her mumbling - he just needed to be cut free of the ropes so he could get out and... do... something. The girl finally untied him. She gave him time to bathe and pick up the few possessions Ueda had allowed him. When he was finished, Toma quickly left the inn with his head down.
Having been out of the inn a couple of times on Ueda’s reconnaissance missions, Toma knew roughly where he was once he got outside. He could try to pass himself off as a tourist, but he didn’t think it would work well - if he was a tourist, he was one who’d come with no money. If at all possible, Toma definitely didn’t want anyone to link him to the bad things that were about to happen at the palace.
A large part of him wanted nothing more than to run away and leave this all behind. The rest of him knew that if he did run away he’d have nowhere to go and no reason to give anybody to take him in. So he avoided as much eye contact as possible and tried to find his way to the palace.
He’d gone in several hundred circles and taken all the wrong streets when he finally found one of the tourist maps that appeared the closer one got to an attraction. It was with no small dismay that he realized he’d walked himself in the opposite direction from the palace. Quickly, Toma made note of what he hoped would be enough landmarks to take him the right way. Then he turned around and ran back the way he’d come.
------
He was running out of time.
------
Ueda went along with the tour, keeping an eye on every stationed soldier. One might think they weren’t paying attention, or sleeping with their eyes open, their gaze stayed so intently focused on nothing. Ueda saw every slight twitch of ears or quirk of eyebrows when something seemed amiss. He feigned interest in the tour, looking around as the guide pointed out all the interesting features of the hall.
It was almost time.
The guide finished his monotonous, long-memorized speech about the hall, and started to lead the group around a corner to the next section. Ueda went with them for a bit. He was distracted by a large painting on the left wall and paused to examine it.
A minute later fire alarms rang throughout the palace.
As soon as the confusion of scared tourists and soldiers trying to evacuate them began, Ueda ran. He ran straight into a deep recession between one of the large pillars at a corner and a series of thick wooden cases displaying awards received by the royal family. The lighting in the palace had been updated over the years, but not with any particular attention given to illuminating the dark places on an official tour - what assassin would be bothered with going on one?
It was Ueda’s good fortune that he would be setting the precedent.
Once the guards managed to evacuate the entire palace, they'd have to patrol for stragglers, find the source of the disturbance - a timed smoke bomb which he had placed under a fire alarm in the main entry - and seek the offender. They'd have to look through the whole palace, and they'd start in the Royal Quarters before they moved to the rest of it so the royalty and nobility could return as soon as possible.
Ueda would have hours.
A last set of footsteps raced past the recession. Ueda waited for five minutes, but heard nothing save for distant commands being barked. He waited another three minutes. Then crept from his hiding place. He stretched his shoulders luxuriously and smiled.
By the time they finished searching the length and breadth of the palace, the soldiers would be forced to give up the search for the perpetrator of the false fire alarm. Tomorrow morning they would realize what a mistake they’d made when they found the diplomat Matsumoto Jun dead in his rooms. Ueda looked forward to hearing the news break before he left the Borderlands to collect his fee.
------
Taichi ran after Ohno as his charge took off from the Yamashita’s clinic to the palace. He didn’t think Ohno realized exactly how quickly he was moving. He didn’t think he’d ever seen Ohno move so fast, either. They were nearing a crosswalk with the stop sign facing them when Taichi caught a flash of blond hair and a vaguely familiar face. It was heading right for Ohno. Taichi stepped between them and caught the boy before he could reach his target.
“Where do you think you’re headed?” he asked.
The boy ignored him. “Ohno-sama.”
Taichi watched Ohno whirl around and sighed mentally. Whatever happened to people being afraid of bodyguards?
“You’re Ohno-sama, aren’t you?” the boy continued, “You saved Miya from the Eastlands.”
“Yes - what - how did you know that?” Ohno frowned, trying to place the face.
The boy leaned forward. “I was there. I'm Toma, Ohno-sama, but you knew me as Tottchi.”
Ohno’s face cleared immediately. “Of course!”
Taichi let Tottchi - Toma go. He'd thought the face was familiar. He remembered the Pet from Kitagawa’s estate, he remembered that there had been four in all. But Toma hadn't come with them, so what was Toma doing here?
“What are you doing here?” Ohno asked, his brow furrowed deeply.
“I was brought here by Ueda,” Toma said, “An assassin.”
Taichi sprang forward and yanked Toma away from Ohno without a second’s thought, turning to look all around them. The stop sign changed and he shoved Ohno quickly into the street, dragging Toma along behind him.
“Explain yourself,” he snapped.
“When Matsumoto-sama and Ohno-sama left with Miya,” Toma gasped.
Ohno stopped just out of the way of foot traffic when they reached the other side of the street, holding a hand out. “Taichi. Stop. Let him speak or we’ll never hear the story.”
With great reluctance, Taichi did so. He kept a firm hold on Toma’s arm and to his credit, Toma didn't try to break free.
“When Matsumoto-sama and Ohno-sama left with Miya, Kitagawa-sama called for him,” Toma said. “He never really believed that Aiba-chan had gotten free. He didn’t think Aiba-chan was smart enough for it - and he blamed you and Matsumoto-sama. Matsumoto-sama in particular. Ueda started following you hours after your party left. We’ve been here all this time. He’s been watching the palace and he knows that Aiba-chan is there. He’s going to kill Matsumoto-sama and take Aiba-chan back to the Eastlands to claim him.”
Ohno thought his heart might have stopped. His body went cold. Ueda was going to Jun, at the palace. Jun who would probably be with Sho, who was also at the palace, and Nino, who was with Sho. They could all be hurt or killed. Ohno looked up at Taichi, finding his bodyguard looking grimly back at him. It was not a comforting gaze.
“Taichi- ”
“What’s your place in all this?” Taichi barked, staring hard at the boy.
“I was sent to provide him with the comforts of home,” said Toma, his mouth twisting.
“Taichi!” Ohno said again, exasperation creeping into his tone.
“If we run we’ll be there in twenty minutes,” Taichi interrupted decisively. There was a chance Tottchi was lying, but the risks of ignoring him far outweighed those of listening to him. He pushed Ohno a step ahead. “Waiting for a carriage could take us an hour and we don’t have that sort of time. Move it!”
------
Though he was ashamed to admit it, Nino had been frightened out of his wits by the clanging of the fire alarm bells when they’d started blaring through the palace grounds. Sho was often busy with seeing to affairs of state and Jun had his diplomatic duties. Nino had nothing but free time. He’d been with Aiba, as he’d been for the better part of three days, and they had been preparing sets of silverware for a state dinner when the noise started.
Nino had dropped the basket for silverware he’d been collecting from the appropriate drawers and cowered by the cupboards. It was luck that he’d been standing next to Aiba at the time. While the staff set everything down and starting filing out of the kitchens in as orderly a manner as they could, Aiba had gathered Nino quickly into his arms. That had in turn relaxed Nino enough to stand again. They started immediately out a back exit with the rest of the staff.
“Don’t worry,” Aiba had said soothingly, “It’s just the fire alarm. It’s a drill, I bet.”
Nino still didn’t know if it was a drill they’d gone through or not, but it really hadn’t been so bad. They’d gone out into the back where the gardens started and waited until a soldier announced that it was safe to return indoors - there had been no fire in the living quarters. The living quarters were detached enough from the rest of the palace that it wasn't in danger if there was a fire in the Hall.
Even now the rest of the staff let their tongues wag and muttered about the ill-mannered child and how horrified the parents must be and where on earth had they been raised to think something like that was appropriate? Listening to all the rounds of people talking about the same thing was almost amusing, but Nino had been happy to leave with Aiba when they’d been sent away by the head of the kitchen staff.
Sho met up with them in the hallway, looking relieved. “That was something, right?” he said, “I’d forgotten how loud they were.”
They were alone, so Aiba laughed. “You screamed when they started, didn’t you, Sho-sama?”
Sho sputtered but said nothing to contradict him. Nino bit down on his bottom lip to contain a grin. At least he hadn’t been the only one afraid. The prince wrapped his arm around Nino’s shoulders and laughed.
“Well, that threw off the plans for the rest of the day. The guards will be patrolling every hall to be sure it doesn't happen again. All but the most important meetings have been postponed. That means I’ve got nothing to look forward to. Jun will probably be on his way back soon, too.”
“We got shooed out by the Head Cook,” Aiba said, “We were going back to my room. Ah!” He clapped his hands. “Let’s go wait in Jun’s room and surprise him!”
“If we do that, he’ll hit you with those huge rings,” Nino warned.
Aiba laughed and shrugged. “Maybe, but it’ll be worth the look on his face.”
------
Ueda frowned deeply as he passed the huddle of Ami, Miya and the prince, carrying a load of clean sheets. His plan to not be found was to walk everywhere the palace guards had already been and thus were less likely to come again. It was the best way to keep from being discovered doing something stupid like hiding under a bed. It was also the best way to keep informed - gossip spread like wildfire after things like fire alarms; Ueda knew where all the guards were and weren’t just by listening to the conversations of clucking maids.
He’d planned to take his time in getting to Matsumoto’s rooms and hiding himself there while the fervor of the fire alarms was still dying down. Since all the chambers had been checked first, there would be no reason to check them again - he could wait until the diplomat returned and kill the man at his leisure.
Except now it seemed that these three were planning an escapade in the rooms of the marked man. His plan would have to be changed and the timing moved up. It would not do to have the three getting in the way of the death of Matsumoto Jun.
------
The palace grounds were crawling with the Royal Guards and companies of the Royal Army. The sight was one Taichi hadn’t seen in over seventeen years, since the young prince Ninomiya had been stolen in the middle of war. His shoulders tensed seeing it now. Surely the assassin hadn’t already gotten to Matsumoto!
Taichi pushed Toma along in front of him. Ohno walked steadily at his side as they drew closer to the palace doors. Before the entrance stood the Head of the Guard; Taichi drew to a halt and saluted smartly. The middle-aged man saluted in return. Taichi relaxed just a little - the Head of the Guard would never be so relaxed if a man of importance was dead on his watch.
“What happened here, sir?”
“Someone thought it’d be funny to set a smoke bomb under a fire alarm as far as we know,” the man muttered gruffly. “Go along. We checked the living quarters. They're clear of the perpetrator. Full sweep of the grounds hasn’t been completed yet.”
Taichi saluted once again and pushed Toma on. Ohno followed, frowning, and Taichi understood. A smoke bomb on the same day an assassin planned to kill a diplomat? Too coincidental. A brief look at Tottchi only proved it.
Toma looked back up at Taichi solemnly. “The grounds aren’t where they should be looking. The palace isn’t clear,” he said. “Ueda is in there. He works almost exclusively for Kitagawa and he’s never been caught in any of his plots. He’s hidden himself in plain sight.”
Taichi clenched his jaw. He let go of Toma and stopped in the entry hall. “Ohno, take him and find Jun if you can. I’m going to round up help. I’ll have the palace searched again.”
Ohno nodded and took a hold of Toma’s wrist, pulling him down the long halls of the palace. Taichi watched them go for exactly one second, then turned and went in the other direction - he needed to find Nagase.
------
“We don’t have much time, but Ueda won’t strike until everything is settled,” Toma said, following in Ohno’s surprisingly fast footsteps with ease. “He likes to watch the fuss when the death is discovered. He can’t do that if everyone is running to and fro.”
Ohno simply nodded. Was Nino here? Was he with Jun? What would happen if - Ohno forcibly stopped his thoughts and frowned, firming his jaw. Ueda wouldn’t have Jun. He wouldn’t have Aiba. He wouldn’t have Nino. Not while Ohno lived to stop it.
He just had to figure out how he was going to do that.
------
Matsumoto Jun’s chambers were dim in the changing light when Ueda closed the door on an empty hall behind him. It wasn’t yet evening, but where the windows faced the late afternoon light barely reached them. Ueda looked around the receiving room and sniffed. How plush and useless. Just like every other nobleman, here it was assumed power came in having things.
Ueda knew so much better.
A room full of furniture and decoration only meant there were more shadows, more places for the enemy to hide, more things to paint in glorious red blood. Matsumoto would return to his sanctuary of material goods, thinking himself safe, only to wake up dead. Ueda would gloat at his funeral. He slipped from the receiving room to the bedroom, taking a quick stock of the place. A large bed hung with heavy curtains, several chairs around a small, round table, several more scattered throughout the room. A wardrobe large enough to hold several people standing upright.
It was perhaps cliche, but people never did check their wardrobes for danger. Ueda opened the door, pushed some clothes aside, and pressed himself to the back wall. He arranged the many neat suits and pressed coats to cover him, leaving only a bare slit between them should he need to see. The door had been left closed, so Ueda closed it carefully. It wouldn’t matter; his hearing was good enough to determine how many people were in a room.
Ueda wasn’t looking to kill many. He needed only to wait until there was just one person left.
------
Jun left Nagase at the doors of his bodyguard’s room.
“You sure you don’t want any company?” Nagase asked.
Jun smirked. Just by the look on Nagase’s face, his bodyguard had known that he would be turned down.
“No,” Jun said. “I’m just going to stare at my walls until Aiba comes to scratch at the doors. All the commotion will give me some time to catch up before things are back in order.”
Nagase saluted. “All right then. I’ll come for you when I have the new itinerary.”
Jun nodded his thanks. He watched his bodyguard disappear from sight. When the doors closed Jun looked up and down the halls. The coast was clear. He sighed and stretched his arms over his head, yawning widely.
What a day. Meetings from the break of dawn with barely a thought for breakfast, only to be interrupted by some brat who’d thought it would be funny to start a fire alarm. In the palace of all places!
Even if the Royal Family was putting an indulgent spin on their public reaction to the event, or would do so once they allowed reporters in for comment, Jun thought it was a stupid act worthy of at least a short prison sentence. Unfortunately that would not happen. Jun would just have to rant and rave about his feelings later, when he and Aiba were alone, or maybe when Nagase came with the itinerary.
Or when he, Aiba and Nino were alone, as was the recent trend. If his meetings were all canceled, there was no reason that Aiba and Nino should still be working. Jun stretched his arms again and opened the doors to his receiving chambers. He might as well get some paperwork done until the peace was disturbed.
------
Jun closed the doors just as Taichi rounded the corner at a dead run.
------
Taichi pounded on Nagase’s door, trying to regain his breath at the same time. He’d run practically the width of the palace, from the entrance to the soldier’s quarters to the offices and finally now to Nagase’s room.
“Nagase! Nagase!”
It took less than twenty seconds for Nagase to open the door, but as far as Taichi knew it might have been twenty seconds too long. The door was thrown open from the inside and Nagase appeared, eyes wide.
“What, what is it? I already paid out!”
Taichi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. “I know that,” he said quickly, darting a glance down the hall. “Where’s Matsumoto-sama?”
“Jun?” Nagase echoed, blinking. “In his room, I imagine. I just left him there. Why?”
Taichi pulled Nagase’s head in. “Did anything happen after the fire alarm went off? Have you seen anyone suspicious nearby?”
“Of course not,” Nagase snorted. “Except you.” He pulled himself out of Taichi’s grip and frowned. “You look like you just ran over a kid's dog. What’s going on here?”
But before Taichi could say anything, trampling footsteps interrupted them. Quickly Taichi jumped away from Nagase and slid into a stance ready for combat. Nagase followed his lead automatically though he clearly had no idea what he was meant to be ready for.
It didn’t matter anyway.
------
The trampling footsteps belonged to none other than Ohno, Sho, Aiba, Toma and Nino.
------
Sho, Aiba and Nino were about to turn a corner into the residences of the Royal Family and the palace court, when a loud symphony of running feet and heavy breathing behind them startled them into stopping.
“Aiba! Nino!”
Nino spun around, his eyes huge. Aiba fared no better. They knew that voice. Nino couldn’t speak. Aiba gaped. Sho was more surprised to see a stranger with Ohno, but even he could tell from the shocked faces of his friends that the owner of that voice wasn’t supposed to be here.
Aiba found his voice first. “TOMA?!”
Ohno and Toma skidded to a stop, both breathing harshly. Toma’s eyes were wide with fear and Ohno’s face was pale. He looked like he was about to say something when his eyes strayed from Sho’s face and moved to the left - where Nino was. Sho frowned immediately. Something was wrong, but this was not the time for Ohno and Nino to confront each other. Not here, not like this. He stepped forward, both to stop it before it could start and to force Ohno to explain why he’d come.
“What’s going on?”
“Why are you here?” Aiba blurted, staring at the stranger - at Toma.
Toma said one word: “Ueda.”
Nino’s hand went to Sho’s wrist immediately, grabbing it tightly. His body shook. Sho, startled, looked away from Ohno and down at his brother. “Nino?”
“Assassin,” Nino breathed.
Toma nodded, looking at Ohno and then Sho. He didn’t seem to realize he was speaking to a prince, but Sho couldn’t find it in himself to care. He just wanted to know what was going on - what assassin? Ohno finally wrenched his gaze away from Nino and met Sho’s once more.
“An assassin from the Eastlands. Kitagawa sent him when we left, to kill Jun for taking Aiba. Seems like he’s been here as long as we have - he’ll know his way around the palace like he lives here.”
“He’s here, your Highness," Toma added. "He left this morning, and he’s very good. The fire alarm was his doing. He’s here to kill Matsumoto-sama. He’s not going to stop until he does, and then he’ll come after Nino and Aiba. If he can’t capture them, he’ll kill them, too.”
Sho held Nino tighter. His face went pale. “How far could he have gotten?”
“He left early in the morning - he could easily be in Matsumoto-sama’s room already.”
The prince said nothing. Even if he might have taken Toma’s words for a tall tale at any other time, Sho believed Nino. If he thought there was something he could do to make Aiba and Nino stay behind, he would have done it. As it was Sho grabbed Nino’s wrist and started running.
They had to get to Jun’s rooms.
------
“What in all seven hells is going on here?” Nagase demanded. “Everybody comes here looking like they’ve been running a mara-thing and nobody's saying why.”
“Where’s Jun?” Sho asked.
Nagase snapped to attention. “I just left him in his room, your Highness.”
“Get him out,” Sho ordered. “There’s an assassin.”
That was all that was needed. Nagase bolted from the door, yanked his sword from the rack, and raced to the short hall that connected his room to Jun’s. Taichi broke away from the pack, running for the hall doors. There was a split second of confusion in which Toma, Sho, Nino, Aiba and Ohno stared at each other.
Then Aiba took a step back. He turned on his heel and ran, shouting, “Jun-sama!” over and over, as loud as he could.
The second he moved, Nino and Toma took off after him. And when Nino left, neither Sho nor Ohno would be left behind.
------
Inside Matsumoto’s room, Ueda slithered out from his hiding place, his eyes wide with desperation as he searched for his target. Where was the diplomat? Ueda crept forward and pulled a dagger from its sheath. He went to the bedroom door and opened it carefully, peering out. The room beyond was crowded with furniture, books, and other ornamentation, but it was also brightly lit.
Matsumoto sat at a desk, his back to the bedroom and his head bent over several stacks of paper.
Heavy footsteps from somewhere pounded in time with Ueda’s heart. Mastumoto’s back tensed and he lifted his head to look towards the hall in curiosity.
Ueda lunged for Matsumoto’s back, silent as a whisper. He was out of time. But so were the Borderlanders.
Perhaps catching Ueda’s movement in his peripheral vision, Matsumoto jerked in his seat, whipping around, clearly startled. Ueda smirked. Forgetting there was a chair in the way, Matsumoto attempted to stand, but all he managed was to trip over his own feet. He fell as Ueda’s arm came down, gravity pulling him swiftly. Ueda simply changed his trajectory and swung for the floor.
Matsumoto hit the ground and rolled before Ueda could complete the arc. The dagger was buried in the plush carpet. Matsumoto scrambled to regain his feet. Ueda gave the dagger a tug. When it didn’t immediately give way, he abandoned it for a new dagger. Matsumoto had only just gotten himself standing again.
The bedroom door behind him burst open. Ueda turned to look at his new obstacle. Matsumoto’s bodyguard glowered back at him, face set in rage. His sword gleamed in his hand and Ueda knew he had lost. He could still take Matsumoto with him. Ueda prepared to throw.
“Jun!” the bodyguard snapped.
No longer looking at Ueda in stupefied wonder, Matsumoto threw himself to the side. Ueda’s dagger sank into Matsumoto’s thigh, but wouldn’t be fatal. Ueda noted with disgust that it might not even be particularly crippling. He reached for another dagger.
Before he could do anything, cold metal plunged into his back. The bodyguard’s blade, if Ueda felt it right. It made him stumble, but Matsumoto was still in front of him, and now he was down for the count. Ueda swung again. Someone yanked on the blade in his back, whirling him like a bag and sending him crashing into the nearest wall. Colors swirled before Ueda’s eyes. He blinked rapidly, trying to get his vision to settle. It took several minutes for him to realize that the shadow standing over him was holding a longer sword to his neck.
Another minute later Ueda realized he was being bound.
“Can’t finish it yourself?” he gurgled.
“We’ll finish it publically,” growled one of the shadows. It moved. “Your Highness might want to raise the alarm.”
Ueda spat at the shadow’s feet. He was summarily hauled to his feet. Pain flared in his jaw in addition to the pain radiating from the blade wound in his back. His eyes focused on a furious pair in front of him. He spat again.
The furious face suddenly smiled. “Spit all you like. You won’t be able to much longer.”
------
In the end they hadn’t been necessary.
Nino stood with his shoulder pressed tight against Toma’s, watching everything happen around him. He felt strangely detached from it all. Jun’s wound had been kept under pressure while they waited for the physician; it was not cleaned and bandaged properly and Jun was resting on his day bed. Aiba fussed over Jun like the diplomat would disappear if he looked away. Proving how shaken he was by the experience, Jun took all the fussing silently.
Ueda was long gone but there were still explanations to give. Guards combed every inch of Jun's rooms, the hall connecting his room to Nagase’s, the main hall, and the grounds below his window.
Sho stood in the middle of the room, organizing the efforts.
And Ohno.
Nino hadn’t yet dared to meet Ohno’s gaze, but he knew that he was being watched. He didn’t know what to do. He owed it to Ohno to talk to him but he didn’t want to. He was afraid to. He didn’t know what Ohno would have to say to him after he’d left and refused to go back.
A guard stepped into the room and stood at attention, looking straight ahead and clearing his throat. “His Royal Majesty, the King Sakurai.”
Nino jumped. He automatically tried to hide himself behind Toma. Even though he had mostly accepted that what Sho said was true, that he was the little brother Sho wanted him to be, Nino had no desire to let anyone else know of his existence. Not even the person who was supposed to be his father.
The king entered. Everyone save Sho bowed.
“Rise,” said the king impatiently.
As one, everybody did - Jun leaning heavily on Aiba. Toma pressed closer to Nino’s side. Nino shifted to wrap an arm around his waist, moving carefully so he didn’t attract unwanted attention. Toma’s body was stiff and fairly vibrated with tension. Nino understood well why he was nervous.
“Father - “ Sho started.
The king put up a hand. “I have heard everything second hand already. I wish to have my questions answered from the source.” His gaze swept over the assembled faces until it fell on Nino and Toma. “Which of you is... Toma?”
Toma swallowed, stepping forward a pace; Nino let his arm fall to his side. “I am, your Highness.”
You came here, to my domain, with the assassin?”
“I did your Highness. A gift from Lord Kitagawa to Ueda for the duration of his time here.”
“You knew of his intent?”
“Yes, your Highness. He explained in detail several times. He even brought me here to learn the layout of the palace. We took the tours.”
“But he failed. I am led to understand that this is due to you.”
Toma shook his head quickly. “My part would have meant nothing had not Lord Ohno and Taichi-san believed me.”
“You, I hear, met them when Matsumoto and Ohno were sent to the Kitagawa estate.”
“Yes, your Highness. But not for very long.”
The king nodded slowly. He looked to Nino. Nino froze under the sudden gaze. The king’s eyes were the same intense brown of Sho’s, but they held none of the warmth that Nino saw when he looked into his brother’s.
“I have come to understand that my son has been keeping you here.”
Nino nodded, looking away. He was in trouble. “Yes, your Highness. He has.”
“Where is your bear?”
“On my pillow where I left it,” Nino answered without thinking. He blinked, realizing only a second later what he’d been asked, and looked up.
The king looked back at him levelly. “Show me to your mother’s garden.”
Nino worried his lip. “I only know the way from our rooms, your Highness. She carried me.”
“Then we will leave from her rooms.” Nino looked at Sho in panic. The king cleared his throat. “Of course your friends may go with you. Sho will follow with me.”
Nino looked around slowly. Aiba frowned, seemingly not understanding what was happening. Jun, however, frowned thoughtfully. “Aiba.”
Aiba snapped to attention.
“Get me up,” Jun said. “If we’re moving, I’m not going to be left behind.”
Nino chanced a look at Ohno. The nobleman stood, looking as stunned as Nino had ever seen him. Toma took Nino’s hand and tugged it to bring his focus back.
“They’re waiting, Mi- Nino.”
Shocked back to awareness, Nino nodded slowly. He bowed to Sho and the King. Then, gripping Toma’s hand, he left the room. It was slow going from Jun’s rooms to Sho’s; Nino wasn’t terribly familiar with the halls between them. But from Sho’s rooms he knew the way to his own - his former ones - and from his former rooms he knew the way to the garden. His mother’s small, locked up garden.
Nino’s feet took him down the same path he’d wanted to see when Sho had brought him. This time Sho didn’t stop him. He didn’t feel any different as they walked, either. He was aware of Toma at his side. He knew that Sho, Aiba, Jun, Ohno and the King were following him. He noticed the palace guards pausing to bow and watch them pass before returning to their rounds.
He saw the bench.
Nino stopped in front of it. He had very few memories of a time before Kitagawa. Those ones he did have were fuzzy, but they were undeniable. “We’d stop here. Mother would have let me walk, but I’d be tired.”
He bit his lip and started again, bringing them the corner of ivy-covered walls. His hand trailed in the leaves as they walked. It felt familiar, like something he’d done before, but if asked, Nino wouldn’t be able to say when he’d done it. They walked down the rest of the path, stopping before the door to the garden. Even knowing it would be locked, Nino reached for the handle, testing it. It didn’t budge.
“Locked...” Nino murmured sadly. Struck by an idea then, he turned to the king. “Did they take both keys, your Highness?”
The King looked startled. “Both? We have only one key.”
Nino brightened. He had a vague idea that he’d loved the garden - and knowing that his mother had made him want to see it even more. He stuck his hand into the ivy, pushing between the leaves and vines.
“Mother showed me this every time we came here,” he said quietly.
Finally his fingers ran over a line of brick that stuck out from the wall. It wasn’t a great distinction, but it was enough. Nino grasped as much of the brick as he could, wiggling it, pulling, grasping more of it, and repeating until the brick finally came loose from the wall. He set the brick down and reached into the hole, removing a small silver key.
“Your Highness,” he said, turning and offering the key to the King.
With a somewhat trembling hand, the King took it. He looked at the key. He lifted his gaze and looked at Nino for a long time before he stepped to the garden door and tried the key in the lock. It turned. Nino could hear the tumblers turn and click. The King pushed the door open, but he didn’t go inside.
Instead he turned and pulled Nino to his chest, hugging him tightly. Nino’s breath caught in his throat.
“You came back...” the King whispered. His whole body shook. “I never... I’d given up hope...”
“It was Ohno-sama who saved me,” Nino said. The words fell stiffly, but Nino figured he should be forgiven - he was being hugged by the king. “I would be dead if not for him.”
The King pulled away, but left his hands on Nino’s shoulders. He looked at a point over Nino’s head; at Ohno, or Sho, or maybe at both. “Thank you, Satoshi. Sho. Now, perhaps we should resume this in private.” He smiled, returning his gaze to Nino. “There is much to be done yet.”
------
There was much to be done, but then there wasn’t. Sho and Jun and the King were kept busy, and even Toma and Ohno, but Nino and Aiba had no place. Toma’s testimony sealed Ueda’s fate, and then he had no place. He and Aiba and Nino stayed with Taichi, curled up together, speaking very little while they waited. Even after, when Jun’s part was finished, Ohno and Sho were held up in a gathering of nobility.
Jun and Aiba retired to his rooms soon after Jun’s part was complete, leaving Nino and Toma with Taichi in Nagase’s rooms. Silence reigned for a long time. Nagase closed the door behind Jun and Aiba, then sat down next to Taichi.
Taichi kept staring at Nino, though he wouldn’t speak right away. “... Nino.”
“I’ll talk to him,” Nino said softly. “I know I owe him that much.”
“I was going to say I’d hold him if you wanted to punch him in the face,” Taichi said. He chuckled at the shocked look Nino gave him and shook his head. “But if you want to talk, that’s good too. ... He missed you.”
Nino relaxed slightly, offering Taichi the best smile he could muster. Toma nuzzled his shoulder comfortingly, and Nino relaxed marginally more. He really did know that he had to talk to Ohno, but he still wasn’t looking forward to it.
------
It was late at night when the chance finally came. The meetings had gone on that whole day, pausing only for dinner. There were committees to be made and new laws to be enacted, but first those laws had to be created. Ohno was not on any of the committees - by his involvement with the parties that were behind the creation he wasn’t allowed to be - but he would be needed to vote when the time came, so he was required to know what each process was.
Nino stayed in Ohno’s temporary rooms in the back wing, waiting for Ohno’s return. Toma had been given lodging in Taichi’s attached room until his end was decided. So Nino waited alone, sitting in a ball in one of the oversized chairs and watching the door.
He still nearly jumped out of his skin with nerves when the door opened to admit the nobleman.
Ohno jumped, too, blinking rapidly at Nino. “N-nino?”
Chewing his lip, Nino stood. He watched Ohno carefully, murmuring a soft: “Ohno.”
“You-”
“I-”
They both stopped and looked at each other. Ohno closed the door behind him and took two steps into the room. He didn’t come any closer. Even so, Nino could see he looked nervous. Nino took a step forward. He wanted to take Ohno’s hand, but it wasn’t the time.
“Are you okay?” Ohno asked. “Have you been well?”
Nino nodded slowly. “Yes. I have been. I am still. Tomohisa at the Yamashita clinic... he found me, the day I left. He let me stay. Taught me how to work there.”
“I looked for you. I had Taichi out every day.”
“I know. Taichi came one day. He told me. I’m sorry that you had to do that.”
Ohno shook his head. “No, I’m sorry. I never should have said those things. But I was startled. You caught me off guard and I reacted poorly. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
Nino gave Ohno a small smile. “I’m sorry about that, too. I was only thinking about myself then.”
He sat without asking for permission. Ohno moved as though pulled by his actions, sitting next to him. There was a moment where Ohno looked like he was going to reach out. Nino saw Ohno’s hands clench around his knees in agitation. It looked like Ohno was going to say something, so Nino spoke quickly.
“It’s hard, you know. Trying to let go of that me. I know I keep getting told it won’t come back, that I'm free of that life, but it’s still hard to believe it. It was my life. It was me for so many years.”
He paused, chewing his lip, and finally met Ohno’s eyes. “I’m going to stay here, Ohno.”
Ohno’s hands gripped his pants. “But- ”
“I’m being selfish again, I know,” Nino interrupted. “I’m sorry for that, too. I just... I think it’s something better for us both. You can get married without worrying about me. You have Saya to take care of you. You'll have Saya to take care of. Now I have Sho to take care of me.”
Ohno’s face pinched as if in pain. His jaw twitched and his mouth moved, but no sound came out. Then Ohno stood. He pulled Nino up and tightly to his chest. Nino stayed frozen in his arms for several seconds. Ohno pressed his face into Nino’s hair.
“When you left, when I realized you were gone, I felt hollow,” he murmured.
“I think you felt guilty,” Nino replied, just as quiet. “You take a lot on your shoulders, and you don’t tell others when it’s too much. Trying to take care of me is too much for you because I'm not getting better fast enough. I'm frustrating you.” At long last, he wrapped his arms around Ohno’s waist. “Maybe we can be real friends some day. When I get better.”
Pressed so close to him, Nino could hear Ohno swallow. He could feel Ohno’s grip tighten. Then it loosened. Ohno pressed his lips to Nino’s forehead, then he stepped back.
“We’ll be friends, always, if you want it.”
Nino smiled. “I do. I’d like that a lot, Ohno.”