Divine Worlds

By: S.R. Shinohara

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Chapter IV

Not So Comforting Silence

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Such wide eyes. Beautiful, enchanting, wide light blue eyes. He loved looking into her eyes. They reminded him of someone, but he couldn’t place who. Playing with her small fingers which reached out to grasp something, he smiled in a way only fathers knew, pressing his lips to the baby’s creased forehead as she tried to figure out who he was. “Beautiful…little girl, you remind me of someone, you know that?” He put a finger to his lip and frowned deeply. “I can’t remember who though. Funny, ne?”

She only tugged at some of his hair in response, laughing as he let out a pained yelp.

“Kosuke…come to bed.” His wife’s voice was quiet and pleading, promising many things which didn’t include sleep.

“I want to stay up a little longer.” He was far too enchanted by his new child’s wide light blue eyes which stared at him in wonder, taking in his peculiar expressions that he was doing for her. “I’ll come to bed later.”

Her voice was distant as she nodded, obviously disappointed as she left the baby’s room. It didn’t matter. He’d make it up to her later as he’d said. Right now he wanted more time with his new child, though exactly what woman gave him the adorable little girl was beyond him. “Who’s your mama, precious? Who’s the mama of my new little girl?”

He chuckled as she whined slightly while he played with her hands, as if to say, “How should I know? I’m just a baby.”

Light blue eyes…where had he seen them? Such beautiful eyes, really, and they sparkled with power. She’d be a strong goddess when she grew up. She’d never marry just anyone either – he could feel it. She’d only marry someone who was her equal. The light in her eyes merely confirmed it. She’d definitely be a strong one as she grew. “My strong little girl…yes, you’ll grow up strong among the deities here…you’ll never stray from your daddy either, ne?”

Those little fingers grasped his then, those pretty eyes that had reeled him in sparkling in laughter as he heard a happy laugh that he just knew was hers in his head. “Never, papa!”

Raspberry eyes shot open as he sat up in his bed, huge in size and suited for a god. Pushing aside the veil of material which hung all around the four post bed frame, Kosuke walked to his window and looked out into the forest below with a sigh, staring at the parted grass path which led to Illusian’s front doors, stomped down from so much use as vines which grew from the ground curved overhead to make bloom covered archways.

“Why show me that tonight…aneki…?” He let out a deep sigh, the memories slipping from the locked corner of his mind where he’d buried them.

He hadn’t expected it to be so hard. Loneliness gripped at him like a second skin, the lack of life which his daughter’s eccentric actions usually brought to their home affecting him more then he’d thought they would. No one but his daughter, her assistant and him, both he and Saori having agreed one assistant was enough after much debate.

“Always so lively…” Closing his eyes, a flash of those eyes but more mature and on a different face that he couldn’t see came to his mind and made him snap them open again, startled. “Those eyes…her mother’s eyes…but I had many with blue eyes before Aiko…” Rubbing his forehead in mild frustration, he leaned against the cool glass of his window and sighed, “I hope she’s alright and still lively…”

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Of all the things she thought she’d see as she opened the door, a damn kunai being flung at her head was NOT among the list. Why? Even she didn’t know considering she usually always thought the worst. Pessimism ran in her blood.

Still, after fighting with rude soldiers and finding out Ruko had gotten herself into such a large bind it was NOT helping her mood any. In fact, it was making it worse. With a growl that vented some of her frustration with her whole day, Saori sent the kunai right back at the youth sitting in front of the window with a sharp flick of her wrist, eyes narrowed. It hadn’t looked like he moved at all but he’d definitely been the one who threw it.

His hand flew up and caught the blade mid-air, millimeters before it would’ve struck him in the head. Lip curling in either amusement or irritation, it was hard to tell, the young man no physically older then 20 inclined his head enough so that she could see his one visible ice eye that was narrowed at her impatiently. “Who are you?”

If he was irritated, Saori was just out right aggravated and pissed. “An assistant goddess, Saori.”

His face seemed to spasm darkly but the look in his eyes was gone before she could analyze the emotion more. “What does a demi-goddess like you want?”

Saori bristled in outrage. He called her a demi-goddess? She wasn’t one for prestige among gods, let alone mortals, but that didn’t mean she’d quietly let that slap in the face pass! “Now listen here you insufferable human, I’m NO demi-goddess!”

A smirk made its way to his lips. It’d been a long while since something amused him. He could feel the air around him lighten slightly because of it. Pissing off a deity was too much fun and way too easy with this one. “Then what are you? Not a full-fledged one.”

Why did he have to be so damn difficult? As much as she wanted to defend her title and honor, it would be a waste of time. The longer she wasted, the more Ruko and her kingdom would waste away. “That’s not the point. I came to ask a favor of you, fallen prince.”

His eye narrowed deeper. He hated that title with a passion. By the smirk on her lips at her jibe, she realized it too. “And why would you do that?”

“You’re the only one who can remedy the situation your son, Ichiro, and the Faerie Queen, Ruko, have gotten themselves into.”

Was it just her imagination or did he wince? Had to be her imagination. His face was nearly as bad as Tetsuo’s or Raikou’s in its passivity. “My son is a big boy; he can deal with his own messes like any other.” He promptly turned to stare out the window, shooing her away. “Now leave.”

She could feel her jaw connect with the ground but it still wasn’t enough to shake her from the state of utter shock she entered. Were all mortal parents like this? She would’ve expected an answer like that from a sibling – she knew most mortal siblings didn’t get along well – or even a cousin, but not with this one. He was his father, right? “You ARE his father, right? How can you say that?”

“One of divine blood wouldn’t understand it.” He never turned to face her, instead keeping his gaze out on the horizon. “Now go away.”

Saori wouldn’t budge. Instead, she sat down against the wall, eyebrow arched at his back. “So make me understand.”

“No.” he finally turned around again, highly annoyed. “Get out.”

“I’m not budging until I hear an explanation.”

“Then you’re wasting your time,” he scowled slightly.

“My time is my own; I can waste it as I choose.”

Stubborn, wasn’t she? Oh well, it wasn’t his problem. “Whatever.”

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Ruko fidgeted with her cup of tea nervously, sitting in the gardens and inhaling the sweet fragrance of the flowers. They’d always been the reason she visited Phylos when she could, the scent of the various blooms tranquil and soothing to her senses. All Faeries loved the flowers here, so it was no surprise that many often came down to Phylos just to rest among them, regardless of the fact that it put them within reach of humans who usually tried capturing them so they could get their wishes. The 3 wishes rule had been created to dissuade Faeries from staying long on Phylos, but most ignored it. Truthfully, she did too. She did, however, easily get homesick. I could stay here on Phylos forever and Celestia could still prosper, but I want to be home. Without warning, images of her sisters, the guards of Celestia Nahora & Ayu, and her right hand man Kohaku popped into her head. But I’d miss them too much…Nahora & Ayu can’t leave Celestia at all unless someone is willing to take their place…and Kohaku… A fond smile crossed Ruko’s lips as she chuckled despite herself. He’s too damn frightened to come after the first and last time he came here with me.

“Why is it…” The deep voice suddenly made her tense, twitching nervously as she felt a long nailed hand rest on her shoulder leisurely, nails tapping lightly in thought against her. “…that whenever we meet, Lady Ruko, you always look sad?”

Her smile was somewhat forced as she turned her head to meet his sensuous emerald gaze. “Tetsuo-san…I wasn’t aware you were awake.”

His smile was casual. Ruko didn’t trust his smile, the simple expression hiding too much. She didn’t like not knowing, the inadequate feeling which accompanied him whenever he was around her too irritating to her Faerie blood. “I just woke up and happened to look outside and saw you.” He inclined his eyebrow slightly, long nails scratching at her arm lightly. “Since Lady Saori isn’t here…I take it she is off trying to get you out of a mess?”

Ruko cringed visibly.

“I see…” Her expressions really said it all. Vaguely, he wondered if she knew how easily he could read her. Probably, he thought with an inward smirk.

“Ruko-san!” Ichiro called as he ran outside to see her, only to freeze when he saw Tetsuo who glanced at him with a vaguely curious look as he slowed to a stop a few feet from them. “Ano…”

Ruko smiled softly as she got up, Tetsuo’s hand falling from her shoulder as she went to meet him. The mortal blood in Ichiro-kun’s body naturally makes him weary of Tetsuo, a demon. “It’s alright, Ichiro-kun, he’s harmless.”

Ichiro looked half convinced, slowly relaxing as she came closer, her presence surrounding him like a warm blanket during a cold winter night. Her mere presence and its soothing effects were one of the many reasons he enjoyed her company so much. “Hai…I was wondering if that goddess has said anything yet…?”

Tetsuo moved his eyes from Ruko’s hand which ruffled Ichiro’s hair fondly to the palace, ears twitching as he tried to hear anything. “It’s too quiet for things to be going good, Lady Ruko…”

All three went dot-eyed as fire suddenly exploded from one of the windows, a sweat-drop rolling down Ruko & Tetsuo’s heads.

“I see Lord Hiiro is awake,” the demon grumbled under his breath, ears drooping, “I better go calm him before he destroys this whole city.”

Ichiro twitched and barely managed to croak while looking at Ruko who hung her head with a larger sweat-drop, “What does he mean by that?”

Ruko could only pat his back and shake her head which was slowly getting covered in large sweat-drops. “Nothing, Ichiro-kun…he’s exaggerating.” Sort of… “Why don’t we get ready for dinner…? I heard we’re having some nice things in honor of…”

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“Leave me alone!”

“Nope!” His protest merely prompted the bright eyed girl to jump onto his back, making him stumble forward on his feet at the sudden weight. “You’re too solemn, Ryu! What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t try to get you to lighten up?”

He sighed largely, half groaning in exasperation. “My ideal friend, for one.”

“RYU! HIDOI!” She’d taken a good natured swipe at his head for the remark, a grin lighting his face despite himself.

Ryu nearly let a sigh escape him as the memory forced its way into his mind. Why was he remembering that? Simple. There was another just like his son’s mother who appeared before him, only this time he had no intention of becoming friends with her. She was far too annoying, irritating, stubborn, and, more importantly, of a blood line he abhorred more then anything. At least his friend who he’d been forced to marry had been mortal like he was at the time. Not anymore though. Now he was an immortal, guaranteed eternal life and resistant to pain from years of isolation. Eternal torture, remembering how things turned out after we were forced into marriage is more accurate, he thought caustically as his eyes crossed and stared at a point just beyond his nose, I chased her away from her own son. Small wonder the child hates me. I’D hate me.

Saori was growing increasingly impatient. He’d obviously been alone for years, so staying silent was no problem for him. Keeping things to himself was all he had to do, so he wasn’t going to crack that easily. She was barely managing to keep still as it was, shifting positions every 5 minutes. She’d never been one who’d stayed put for longer then 10 minutes at most when she had nothing to do.

“Lady Saori? Ryu-san?” Ruko’s voice was music to her aching ears that had lacked any sort of sound for a while now. “Dinner is being served soon…will you join us?”

“No.” Ruko hadn’t expected much else to come from Ryu. His answer was always the same every time she asked.

“Me neither.” Saori glared at his head and she knew he could feel it from the slight stiffening of his shoulders.

Normally, Ruko would’ve let it go but she couldn’t help sighing, “Lord Hiiro has been asking for you for a while now. Are you sure you shouldn’t join us? You above all knows how he can get, Lady Saori.”

Saori rubbed her temple with an annoyed sigh. She didn’t need this. Her day was stressful enough. “Tell him I’m doing my job. And can you stop calling me Lady Saori? We’ve been friends for a while you know.”

Ruko let a small laugh loose despite it all. “Hai, hai, Saori. I’ll relay him the message. Hopefully he won’t torch the dining hall as he did his room.”

The violet haired goddess sweat-dropped, Ruko’s foot steps disappearing quickly. The atmosphere of the hall was getting to her no doubt. She was surprised her own body hadn’t started feeling the effects of it yet.

Ryu couldn’t help arching an eyebrow, almost in disbelief. “She laughs?”

“Of course she laughs,” Saori snorted, “Ruko’s not made of stone unlike certain other people.”

He ignored the jibe, though he had a funny feeling she wasn’t just talking about him. Curiosity was definitely getting the better of him, he decided, finding himself saying, “She’s never laughed the whole time she’s been here.”

“Few people can make her do it publicly.” Saori’s lips were drawn up into a proud smirk as she said, “She laughs a lot, but only when she’s alone and thinking mostly. Kohaku makes her laugh a lot when they’re alone I’m told, and I can make her chuckle frequently if we’re off on a mission together, but otherwise she’s calm and collected. Smiles, soothing presence, but never laughter.” Saori sweat-dropped, recalling some past memory that made her wince slightly. “Too much laughter can cause damage to her kingdom though.”

His eyebrow arched higher but Ryu didn’t ask further, stomping his curiosity down. His curiosity was his biggest downfall.

Saori saw him clam up as easily as she could see Hiiro tense up before he’d attack. So close. So damn close. Lowering her head, it was impossible to contain her frustration about her whole day any longer.

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The entire dining hall scampered under the table – minus the ever knowing Ruko, Tetsuo, Kayoko, and Hiiro – as the palace shook in a rage, dishes and fine silver utensils clattering together noisily. Some fell over with a crash, breaking into a million pieces on the cool marble floors.

Ichiro was under the table, clutching Ruko’s leg like his life depended on it.

“Kyah!” He found the foot attached to the leg unceremoniously shoved in his face with a screech that definitely was not Ruko’s.

Hiiro snickered as a furiously blushing Kayoko stared at Ichiro in surprise, the poor boy leaning against the wall upside down with swirling eyes, a big red foot print right smack on his face. The constant shaking wasn’t helping his dizziness much either. “I never knew you had such a power kick, Kayoko.”

“Ichiro-kun!” Ruko was out of her seat and by his side, shaking regardless. “Daijoubu?”

Ichiro snuggled into the warmth of her lap as she set his head on it, sighing lethargically. “Arigatou…daijoubu desu, Ruko-san…”

Tetsuo seemed increasingly bored by the spectacle. Instead, he chose to state the obvious muttering, “I told you it was too quiet to be going good.”

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Ryu was a twitching mess on the ground, Saori huffing as she leaned on her knees, out of breath from her long rant that she doubted had made any sense. She felt infinitely better having let go of her pent up aggravation, but the palace had taken the majority of the damage probably. I’ll be getting a good tongue lashing from Lord Joutei when I get back, she sighed mentally. That was never a pleasant thing to undergo. His lung capacity was the only one which could trump hers. And maybe Sakori, but she seldom screamed. She didn’t count.

“Loud…annoying…” was all Ryu muttered once his brains settled down, finger twisting inside his ear which was still echoing a little, “What was it?”

She blinked, clueless as to what he was talking about. “What was what?”

“What was it you wanted me to do to undo my son’s mess?” he grunted, irritated at repeating himself.

It was her turn to fall over in a twitching mess.

He flat out ignored her, simply waiting somewhat irately for her to start talking. I’ll never get any silence until she leaves.

It took a good 10 minutes before she could do so with out laughing or falling over again. “The only way for Ichiro to gain the divine right to step into one of the divine kingdoms is if he had a relative who had divine lineage or was working for a deity.”

Ryu snorted audibly. “Our family certainly isn’t of divine lineage, unless you count the divine parents who created the first mortals.”

Saori coughed uneasily. She was aware of them perfectly well. “Since you are his only relative, and he certainly can’t leave Phylos to serve one of the gods, I am asking you if you will.”

The ice eyed youth couldn’t keep his forehead from throbbing in mute anger. “Serve the very beings I hate more then anything…” His vein throbbed larger. “For my son…” His scowl eased only slightly, glaring at her hard. “Who would I have to serve?”

A large sweat-drop running down her head wasn’t what he was expecting of all the possible reactions she could’ve had. Processing this, he nearly fell over twitching again as it hit him. “You can’t be serious…you don’t know?”

“I do,” she grumbled, head sinking between her legs, hands clasped behind her head as several more sweat-drops appeared, “But he’s a very stubborn god. He’s the only one who has no assistant but has the vacancy for a servant of sorts.”

Ryu twitched angrily at the term but shoved it away with an inward growl. It’s your repentance…it shouldn’t be pleasant. And it’s for your son who lost his mother because of you. With that in mind, he grunted, “As long as I’m left alone and have my silence…I’ll do it…”

Saori was looking increasingly more skittish, lips twitching nervously as the mother of all sweat-drops ran down her head. “The first thing is no problem but the other…” She grinned sheepishly under his highly agitated and annoyed look. “You’d be working for my father who happens to live in the same hall as me.”

Then the impossible happened. Not even Hiiro didn’t dart under the table as the light fixture above came crashing down with the incredulous yell that echoed through the entire building. “What the hell is that?!”

Ruko knew, without a shadow of a doubt, who that was and rubbed her forehead with a sigh. I knew she’d get to him…but I pity Tengoku should Ryu-san actually lose his cool.

A falling piece of the roof, broken when the fixture above came crashing down, crashed a mere foot away from her in answer.

Ruko could only stare at it blankly. That was not a good sign.

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