Alnwick Castle

The *Royal* Advisor Kyo

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 five: "Prisoner"

The next day, the troops set out to go North as they all whispered about their supposed 'Prisoner.' Sir Die has ordered everyone to journey back to the castle. His reasoning was that the prisoner was a Hayashi subject that will be part of a future "Negotiation" at the castle. What kind of negotiation, no one, not even the Lord of Alnwick, knew; but if the Royal maid had an emblem, then he must be of importance to the Hayashi kingdom.

Shinya did not attempt to escape. He reasoned that he will use Die and his troops as a means of transportation. They were heading North, and so was he. He would be in Alnwick sooner than on foot. Being the calculating man that he is, Shinya waited and bid his time. Once they were near Alnwick, then he would plan his escape. Soon....

"But she's so purty." Levin said. "Why do we have to tie her up?"

"Because." Die grumbled. "I feel the need to do so. Besides, that is a he, not a she."

Levin stared at Shinya. "Wow. He's so purty."

Kamijo rode his horse in step with Die. "As an advisor, I must tell you that this behavior is unlordly. We cannot hold a hostage without the Prince's consent."

"The Prince is not inolved in this personal affair. Therefore, i have every right to do as I please to fix it, brown-noser."

Kamijo's eyes widened as he gasped in disbelief.

Kyo cackled. "Ha-ha! Brown-noser!" He pointed at him.

Kamijo gave him a look of digust. "At least I"m not the one too short to mount a horse and have to ride a donkey."

Kyo's laughing stopped and he growled a string of curses.

"Hey! I like my donkey!" Levin whined.

Shinya stared around at the people before him. They were a peculiar lot. They did not seem like knights of a castle lord at all. To his front was Die with his squire Levin right behind him. To Die's right is Kyo, whom he found out is a morbid advisor, and Kamijo, another advisor who gave everyone snobby airs. Behind him is the navigator named Shuse, who had the thickest Scottish brogue in the group, with tall blonde man right behind him, who stayed away from the everyone, so he could not catch his name. On his right was Gisho and Hakuei, who are totally opposite of character--- Gisho being calm and calculating and Hakuei being brash and impulsive --- but no doubt are best friends. Then there were the two drunken ones, whom were just there without words to speak, trailing on his left.

Shinya stared back up front, watching Die in the lead. He was a grumpy lout! Always pouting and growling without an ounce of good knightly conduct! Yet,... he was a knight in so many ways. The troops respected him; his squire looked to him as would a child admiring his father. Then there were the battle scars on the rough callused skin. And the unkempt red hair that blew in the breeze. And the broad, upright shoulders...... And the hard strong torso........ And that tight arse....

//Damnation!// SHinya internally cursed. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. They've been trollying for hours now. //The traveling must be giving me dillusional thoughts! To think! An attractive Scot! No such thing exists!!//

"You'll be used to them in a day or two." someone beside Shinya said.

Shinya blinked at the man called Gisho. Why did this one seem so.... civilized?

"My name's Gisho." He gave a slight, gentlemanly bow. "Tis alright for you to speak to me, for I fear Sir Die is preoccupied with the others at the moment."

Shinya remained silent for a while, then decided to speak. "For a Scot, I never expected such a civilized manner."

To Shinya's surprise, Gisho chuckled. "I apologize for not adhereing to your stereotype, but do not judge us all by the war. As for Sir Die, I would not judge him by what happened at the inn. He can be a wee bit protective of his seeds."

"I can see, but he sure needs more lessons on gentlemanly conduct. This is not the way a Royal subject, maid or prince, would like to be treated." He motioned to the bindings on his hands.

"Hmm... For a maid, you sure know a lot about etiquette of the royal family."

Shinya didn't say a thing.

"No worries. I'm sure you have an agenda of your own." He smiled.

Shinya gave a tired smile. He was bout to reply when someone on hsi other side asked him a question. "So, do people in Hayashi dress the way you do? I mean, you know....... guys wear..... you know...."

Shinya turned to Hakuei.

".... do they?....."

"Uh, well... not everyone. We simple encourage people to be who they want to be."

"So men dressing in women's clothes are part of that process?" Hakuei asked curiously.

"I guess you could consider it that way. There are also women in men's clothing."

"REALLY?" Shuse joined in. "So do people go n' marry each other's sexes?"

"Aye. Men are permitted to be with men. Women are permitted to be with women. It's all a matter of preference."

Hakuei whistled. "Must be of convenience to everyone. People can chose to be who they are instead of being what they are."

"Hakuei's just anti-women, if y' have no' noticed." Shuse put in.

"I am NOT anti-women! I just don't like them!"

"But the women love 'im 'cause he's so rough n' dangerous!" Shuse went on.

"Shut up, Shuse."

" 'Oh, Sir Hakuei! You're so manly.' " Shuse crooned like a girl.

They all laughed --- even Shinya --- as Hakuei turned beet red.

"Set up your tents!" Die growled.

Everyone grew silent and immediately left Shinya's side. Shinya was suddenly alone with Die as pairs of his troops set up their sleeping places.

Die rode up to him and sneered. "You have no right to corrupt my men!"

"YOUR men?!" Shinya lifted his chin in his usual stubborn gesture. "They are men to themselves! I was merely answering their questions and they listened on their own will. Tis no fault of mine."

Instead of answering, Die got off his horse and dragged Shinya off his. Shinya took his silence as a sign of defeat and smiled smuggly. He did not care that he was a prisoner. Prisoner or not, he always wins. "Oh? No words from the great general?" He goaded.

"For your information, I am NOT a general. I am a lord, a knight of Prince Niikura. Call me Sir Die."

"I spit in your Scottish king and I will NOT call you with respect if you do not respect me yourself."

"You are a prisoner here."

"And?"

"You are being very difficult."

"And what is a prisoner to do? Sit until his prince charming comes?"

"Of course you would say such things. Men being with men. Utterly disgusting."

Shinya was very angry. Both hsi parents were men, but they loved each other and are good people. Yet, he refrained from saying anything because he knew Sir Die was the type to disbelieve until he himself experiences it.

Die was being an arse; he knew it too. but he didn't know why. He was always a gentleman to everyone and a master of gallantry. He's charmed and wooed many. Yet, he could only feel anger and frustration toward this person. this.... she-male!

He looked at the Englishman. Too thin, but too elegant.... and weary. He had dark circles under his eyes from the long hours of journeying. They hadn't rested until now, but Die and his company were used to it. He then looked at those green eyes. Oh, those shining green eyes slightly dulled from fatigue.

To Shinya's surprise, Die's experession softened as he continued to look at him. The pretty boy was surprised, but mesmerized. The Scot looked concerened and........ warm?

Suddenly, Die's face grew hard. "You shall be sleeping in my tent." He declared in a clipped voice and stalked off to set up his tent.

Shinya was taken aback. //What is this Scot's problem, acting like an utter brute?!?!// He fumed as he kicked a stone.

"Ouch!"

Shinya turned to the voice and saw the Scotsman, isolated from the others, setting up his own tent. "I would apologize, but that was all your 'Sir Die's' fault!"

Gackt rubbed his shin. "Tis no problem. Just a scratch." Then he went and continued his task.

Shinya looked from him to the others, whom were clustered on one side of the area. Why was this man so isolated? Did he chose to be so?

"Prisoner!" Die yelled. "Come here!"

Shinya planted hsi feet on the grass. No one orders a Hayashi around! "I have a name, you red-headed arse!!!!!"

"OH?" He grabbed the skinny man's arm and led him to the tent. "Then what is your name?"

SHinya grew tightlipped.

"Ah. I see. Then waht else should I call you but 'prisoner; if there is not other name to call you by." They went inside and Shinya saw how small the tent actually was.

"Nay!!!!!!!!!! We are not sleeping HERE!" He protested.

Die rolled his eys. "Do not give me any of the spoiled English pruddishness, lad! The next inn is too far away and tis gettin dark. You forget winter is coming and you've no tent of your own."

"Bb-b-b-ut it's too small in here! This is wrong!"

"My other men share tents for a lighter load, Englishman. There is nothing wrong with sharing a tent with another man!" Die stared at Shinya's face, then his eyes darkened. "Of course you'd think dirty thoughts. Where you come from, men are with men. A kingdom of freaks."

Shinya was losing patience. //I will let this be again// he swore. //But you insult my kingodm again, you will pay for it dearly.//

There was green fire in Shinya's eyes and Die noticed it all to clearly. Much too clearly. He had to tear his gaze away. He needed to refrain from riling the younger man, but he could not help it. He wanted to see that light in those dark eyes, and the flushed cheeks form the anger. Too tempting. Too dangerous.

"Sleep." He growled as he sat on one side of the small space and curled up in furrs.

Shinya wearily remained standing up, staring at the red head. It was tempting. Furr blankets.... and he was tired and cold.

"You are weary. Go to sleep." Die said without turning around from his position.

Shinya reluctantly climbed into the furr beside the larger man. //This is so impoper!// His mind raged. But his body didn't listen. He wanted to be warm; and Die looked warm. very warm. //Nononononono! Bad thoughts are bad! Badbadbadbad!!// He immediately moved further away from the Scot, at least, as far away he could manage without dragging the furr blanket with him.

He turned his head around to watch Die's broad back. //Too broad.// he thought. //and too big.// He shook his head. //What is wrong with me?//

"If you're worried, lad, don't be." Die suddenly said softly. "I will not touch you, if that is your fear. Just get some rest. We have a long journey in the morrow."

Shinya stared at the back, surprised. He thought the man was fast asleep, and he was even more surprised to hear the soft tone of voice. A low, but masculine voice.... Shinya didn't know why, but he wanted to ask so many questions, and the soft voice beckoned him to do so. "How long do we have until we reach the border?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I must know how much of this traveling I have to endure."

Die suddenly turned around and faced him. He did not have a menacing look that he always does, but he seemed so relaxed right now. Must be the weariness. The red head stared at the boy. He looked so ravishing with his beautiful auburn hair spilled out on the furr and his eyes illuminated by the small candle that he neglected to extinguish. "Is the journey too rough on you?" he found himself asking.

Shinya blinked in surprise.

"If tis too rough for you, we can slow down, and if you'd like, you can ride with me and my squire can handle your horse." He offered.

Shinya stared at him. //What does he want from me? Why is he offering his compassion?// "W-what is it you want from me?" He whispered.

Die looked taken aback for a second, then he turned around again. "I withdraw my offer. Englishmen like you do not deserve such luxuries." He said coldly.

Now Shinya was confused. Die was being so tempermental. He would be warm and kind at one point, then cold and withdrawn to the next. He sighed inwardly and turned away from the man, wrapping himself up in the furr some more. //Tis better for me not to try to understand the man. He's a Scot after all. And Scots are all barbarians.//

Then he fell fast asleep.

//End of Parchment 5//

Contd~ Parchment 6: Advance!

Yk2: Laallalalla. This felt like a long chapter! WHOO-hoo! ^_^ C/cs?

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