Alnwick Castle

*Lord* Die of Alnwick

Genre: Historical Romance

Band: Dir en grey(main) + Penicillin + Others

Pairing: Ano... d x s & I'm making it up along the way ^^;

Setting: in the border of England + Scotland in the Medieval times

"What is most beautiful in virile men is something feminine; what is most beautiful in feminine women is something masculine."~Susan Sontag

Parchment four: Crossroads

Shinya stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep for some reason. He had a tick on his shoulder, but he could not point to what. It certainly was not Toshiya --- for some reason he felt at ease, as if he knew his brother is safe.

//I must be just stressed.// Shinya thought. //I must move quickly before war is declared, but I cannot let Toshiya endure such a rough journey. What should I do?// He turned his head ans saw the pouch of sunflower seeds on the dresser. He reached over and held it. The pouch, he now noticed, was made out of rich velvet lined with gold thread. It must have come from a nobleman. Someone powerful. Shinya smiled mischievously. He actually bested a high-bred man? How amusing.

Then he frowned. //I guess I ought to check up on Toshiya// He grabbed his veil and put it on with the pouch in his hands.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Die and the men were designated to the stables because the inn was full. He could not believe his luck: first his pouch was stolen, and now he has to endure sleeping with his horses.

"I'm going in for a pint." He declared grumpily and stalked off.

"I'll watch him." Hakuei reassured the group and followed suit.

"So you've decided to become my babysitter." Die snorted once Hakuei caught up with him.

"Nay, you give me too much credit." Hakuei grinned. "I'd just like a drink or two for my own, but I must say. A drink ain't as enjoyable without company."

Die grumbled something under his breath, but continued on the way. He was usually an agreeable person, but since this journey, he has not been as jolly.

//Must be the stress// Die thought. //I have to get this missioon done and over with quickly, but i do not want to strain the men and horses.//

The two men settled in the stools and ordered ale. The bartender roughly shoved the mubs toward them.

"Well, Die, what is the plan for the morrow?" Hakuei said.

Die knew what it meant when Hakuei called him by his name. He wanted to know how he was feeling ---not as a Lord of Alnwick --- but as a friend. Die sighed. "Don't worry about me. I'll be alright."

"You jest!" Hakuei slapped him in the back. "Seriously. If I was put in your positin to marry some unknown person, I would throw a rampage."

"Ah, but that is you, not me. Furthermore, the fate of peace between our countries lies on this union. It's not a simple matter."

"Aye, I understand. But am I glad I'm not you."

Die grinned and poked his friend on the shoulder. "Wait until you meet your one and only. You would eat your words of despising marriage."

"I would never marry. There is no 'one and only' for me!" Hakuei retorted.

"Considering your bad judgement in women, I doubt you'll meet your one and only."

"Good. Women are useless." He bit out.

Die frowned. "Perhaps some, but do not judge all women from your bad experiences. But instead, form a standard based on your experience to judge by. Then, you may be able to find someone you're more compatible with."

"Tsk. Never. I hate women." Hakuei declared with a finality.

Die smiled, amused at the blonde's scowl. Then his smile faded hwen he saw a nun pass by the door of the tavern room. The nun had a pouch on her hand. The red head bolted from his chair, leaving Hakuei bewildered. Die followed the figure down the hall, careful not to draw the unsuspecting nun's notice.

Shinya walked fast across the hall. He nearly reached Toshiya's room, but he felt a prickle on his neck. //Someone's following me!!// He panicked at the thought. He walked faster as his palms became sweaty. He went past Toshiya's room and turned a sharp right. To his bad fortune, he stepped on his skirt and nearly fell forward. He expected to fall on his face, but he was detained by a pair of strong hands on his shoulders followed by a hard, strong chest on his back. He was speechless and flustered. He'd never been so close to another man before (besides his brother). His thoughts were interrupted by a harsh, angry voice whispered on his ear. "I would be careful wearing clothes not meant for you."

Shinya's eyes widened and he struggled to get away. He was detained by strong arms around his waist.

"Give me my pouch then I will give you mercy, SISTER!"

The auburn head shuddered from the bitterness in the voice. He gripped the pouch tighter. "Only God can grant anyone mercy."

Die him turned around and gave a cynical smile. "And stealing is a sin the clergy speaks against, and yet, it does not apply to you, does it, SISTER?!" He grabbed the pouch.

"NAY!" Shinya struggled. "I'll scream and surely someone will help a nun in distress!"

Die smiled evilly. "But not a false nun." He reached with his right hand and pulled the veil off.

Shinya gasped.

Die blinked in surprise as beautiful, auburn hair cascaded down from the covering. He then stared down at the pretty face before him. He knew the nun was fake because there was a lock of hair that was neglected to be tucked in. Nun swere bald, or so he heard from the many missionaries that attempt to convert the Highlands to Chirstianity. But now, he found himself happy that this 'nun' was false.... A liar, a thief, and a temptress. He lifted a hand and felt a strand of the auburn locks.

Silky. Smooth.

Then he trailed his fingers lightly over the thief's face. So perfect. And those eyes. Greener than the emeralds of Alnwick's treasury.

Shinya felt a blush creep to his face. The stranger was handsome. A bit battle-scarred; but it made him look fierce and dangerously intriguing. //I have to get away.// Shinya thought in alarm. A stranger was a stranger, depite the looks. He gripped the pouch and sprang into action. While the red head was distracted, he gave a swift kick to his shin.

"HOLY DAMNATION!!!!!!!!!" Die yelled, releasing the pretty boy and holding his shin.

Shinya slipped away and ran. //I have to get away. I have to get Toshiya out of here.//

He burst into Toshiya's room and slammed the door shut.

Kaoru and Chisato woke up and stared, bewildered, at the auburn head pushing furniture against the door.

"Is something the matter?" Kaoru asked, surprised to see flowing auburn hair. "What---?"

"Please open the window and get my brother out as quickly as possible." Shinya answered.

"Brother?!" Chisato scratched his head in confusion. "But that's your sis---."

"I don't know why, but I trust you both." Shinya went on. "I trust you know a safe place for him to recover, right?"

"Yes," Kaoru answered. "But---."

"PLEASE!" He pleaded. "Just do it!"

The two men reluctantly nodded and bid as told. They easily got Toshiya out the window. Then, Kaoru looked in to see Shinya piling more stuff against the door.

"We're ready." He called back.

"I'LL GET YOU FOR THAT!!!!!!!!!!!" a voice bellowed from outside the door.

"GOOO!!" Shinya screamed to Kaoru. "I'm coming."

Kaoru nodded then ran after Chisato, who already disappeared into the woods with Toshiya in his arms. Shinya ran to the open window, ready to jump when, to his persisting bad luck, his skirt got caught by a nail on the window. "Argh! My luck must have flown!" He screamed in frustration as he tugged his skirt in vain.

The door was being rammed into. Shinya could hear old wood cracking and breaking.

//Oh please, please let lose.// He begged to no one as he tugged the skirt osme more.

The door was busted through.

Shinya pulled the skirt and ripped it without care. He placed a foot on the sill, ready to jump to the ground, when someone pulled his hair from behind.

"Oh no, you dont!" A menacing voice bellowed.

Shinya cried out from pain, then fell to the ground with a thud. The pouch he had skittered across the floor and stopped by a large boot. He saw the redhead pick it up and protectively shoved it in his pocket. He leaned forward and taunted Shinya with his eyes. "Now what do I do with you?" He mused. He received a glare and chuckled. "Tis a pity. A beauty such as you to be a liar and a thief. Tell me, what is your name?"

"My name is of no concern to you." He got up and lifted his chin proudly.

Die smiled, amused. He circled the boy as would a predator to his prey. "I have never encountered such a chit."

"I am not a CHIT!"

"Oh? Then what are you? A courtesan? A whore?"

"Why you--!!" Shinya's cheeks flamed at the insult. "You despicable---!"

"Then tell me who you are." Die coaxed.

"Why is it so important to you?"

"Because... I am deciding whether to bed you or not."

Shinya's eyes widened. Then he leaned forward to slap the idiot. Unfortunately, Die grabbed his wrist and entrapped him in an embrace. Shinya and Die gasped. The auburn head knew the red head noticed. Die's grip tightened on his wrist that it hurt.

"S-sir. You are hurting me." He whispered.

Die released him hastily and stepped back. "YOU!!!!!!!! YOU'RE A MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Now you know. So what will you do to me?"

Die suddenly stepped forward and grabbed him by the collar. //Please don't tell me this is.......// He ripped the collar open and saw the necklace. The blue and white lion emblem that resembled the Hayashi kingdom.

"Hayashi...." Die whispered in amazement and disgust.

Shinya swallowed hard. He was caught, but he would never reveal his true identity. Never. If he did, word would spread quickly and his parents would find him before his mission was accomplished.

"Who are you?" Die snarled. "I'm not musing this time. You had better tell me, or else I'll cut off that beautiful hair. Tell me who you are to the Hayashi's and what you are doing here!"

Shinya proudly lifted his chin the way he always does. "I'm nothing but a lowly maid. I'm here to deliver things for someone at the castle."

"You cannot be a lowly maid to wear the emblem pendant!"

"I merely said 'lowly' as a figure of speech, sir. I did not intend for a barbarian such as you to understand my meaning. If you really must know, I am a ROYAL maid."

"Then why were you in nun's clothing? What were you doing here?"

"I was only delivering herbal medicine I recieved from a cloister close to this tavern. The prince is ver sick and I was sent on an errand to retrieve a cure. I dressed in nun's clothing to make my journey faster and for the cloister to permit me into the place."

Die looked at him like he was crazy.

"If you do not believe me, then check my satchel in my room. There are herbs in there."

"Then why would Hayashi send a maid instead of dispatching knights?"

"Because the cloister do not take too kindly to knights. Knights, to them, are a symbol of war and destruction they do not want to be involved in. ALso, I have knowledge in herbal medicine no one else in the castle does."

Die was skeptical, but it did not really matter what this person was to the Hayashi's, so he let it be. He was a Hayashi. Period. And Die began to think. To really think. "Was there a Prince of Hayashi?"

Shinya blinked. "Why do you ask?"

"Tis no concern of yours. Answer it."

"There are only two Princes." He answered briefly.

"I see." Die's jaw clenched.

Shinya drew his brows together. Why was this man against his kingdom? //Oh no. Do not tell me Father has inadvertently angered yet ANOTHER kingdom!// Suddenly, someone walked in through the broken door.

"Hell and damnation, Die. I've never seen you so riled up enough t' break the door!" Hakeui said, then stopped in his tracks once he saw Shinya. "Who---?"

Die immediately turned around and walked past Hakuei with his proud, lordly air. "Tie him up and fetch him to the stables."

"But---?"

"He's our prisoner."

Hakuei scratched his head. " 'He' ?"

Shinya merely slumped his shoulders and sighed in defeat.

//End of Parchment 4//

Contd~ Parchment 5: "Prisoner"

Yk2: Er.... enjoying??? Maybe?? No??? Yes???