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runicloreI'll Do the Running For You
Author: Amber Michelle
Rating: K
Genre: gen
Warnings: n/a
AU/Canon: canon.
Pairing/Characters: Yuushun, Ensei
Words: 500
Prompt: hero
Summary: Set ten or so years ago. Yuushun meets the new governor of Sa Province.
Notes: An unusual title? Oh well.
...............................................
It was late in the seventh month when Yuushun bade good-bye to his first assignment as an official, a secretarial position in the Ministry of Judicial Affairs. After sharing a cup of tea with the Magister and delivering a formal farewell, he left the court offices and took his lunch to the garden, where the shade was cool and green, and the wind over the lake carried a hint of lotus perfume. Like wine, it complimented the flavor of his sesame-filled buns.
With only the rustle of grass and the sound of branches creaking to keep him company, the intrusion of a new set of footsteps did not go unnoticed. He leaned back against the trunk of his tree and packed the remains of his lunch in its box.
"So." He recognized Ensei's voice. "You're the real governor, eh?"
Yuushun turned his head to the side and smiled. "I believe you were assigned to that post, Governor Rou. Don't begin the term by confusing our opponents."
"Huh, easy for you to say." Ensei left his side and dropped onto the grass in front of him. He looked like a ruffian, talked like one even; he refused to wear robes to court, and traipsed around instead in his tunic, vest, and coat. He sat cross-legged, and his grin was twice as white against his tan skin. "Why don't we switch? You be the bait, and I'll do the work."
"I appreciate the sentiment," Yuushun said, opening his lunch box again and offering a bun to his companion, "but the Sa clan would recognize the ruse instantly if we put you in a position that requires real effort."
"I'd heard you were nice," Ensei said, shoving a bun into his mouth.
"I'm very nice," Yuushun said, closing the box. His companion's cheeks puffed out as he chewed, and he sighed. "If you choke, I can't run to get help." He tried not to laugh when Ensei glared. I've spent too much time with Reishin. Yuushun could almost hear the echo of his friend's voice every time he spoke.
How would they - Reishin and Houju - get along once he was gone? It wasn't so long ago he was mediating between Reishin and Houju over the matter of Yuri. Then it was Lady Shuurei's affections complicating matters, and then the first prince, courting the loyalty of one, and then the other when Reishin rebuffed him with more venom than was strictly wise. Such was his friend's habit.
"I'm not afraid of the Sa clan," Yuushun said once the other had swallowed. How could he fear them, when the Kou were more intimidating in every way, if one let oneself dwell? "I hope Advisor Sa didn't exaggerate when he described your abilities."
"They're not like the Kou or the Ran," Ensei said, echoing his comparison. "They don't have the money or reputation to hire the really impressive assassins. You just sit in that office and stamp papers. I'll do the running for you."
...............................................
Winner banners by me, this time. And I'm the only one who gets to make third-rate jokes, got that?
Author: Amber Michelle
Rating: K
Genre: gen
Warnings: n/a
AU/Canon: canon.
Pairing/Characters: Yuushun, Ensei
Words: 500
Prompt: hero
Summary: Set ten or so years ago. Yuushun meets the new governor of Sa Province.
Notes: An unusual title? Oh well.
...............................................
It was late in the seventh month when Yuushun bade good-bye to his first assignment as an official, a secretarial position in the Ministry of Judicial Affairs. After sharing a cup of tea with the Magister and delivering a formal farewell, he left the court offices and took his lunch to the garden, where the shade was cool and green, and the wind over the lake carried a hint of lotus perfume. Like wine, it complimented the flavor of his sesame-filled buns.
With only the rustle of grass and the sound of branches creaking to keep him company, the intrusion of a new set of footsteps did not go unnoticed. He leaned back against the trunk of his tree and packed the remains of his lunch in its box.
"So." He recognized Ensei's voice. "You're the real governor, eh?"
Yuushun turned his head to the side and smiled. "I believe you were assigned to that post, Governor Rou. Don't begin the term by confusing our opponents."
"Huh, easy for you to say." Ensei left his side and dropped onto the grass in front of him. He looked like a ruffian, talked like one even; he refused to wear robes to court, and traipsed around instead in his tunic, vest, and coat. He sat cross-legged, and his grin was twice as white against his tan skin. "Why don't we switch? You be the bait, and I'll do the work."
"I appreciate the sentiment," Yuushun said, opening his lunch box again and offering a bun to his companion, "but the Sa clan would recognize the ruse instantly if we put you in a position that requires real effort."
"I'd heard you were nice," Ensei said, shoving a bun into his mouth.
"I'm very nice," Yuushun said, closing the box. His companion's cheeks puffed out as he chewed, and he sighed. "If you choke, I can't run to get help." He tried not to laugh when Ensei glared. I've spent too much time with Reishin. Yuushun could almost hear the echo of his friend's voice every time he spoke.
How would they - Reishin and Houju - get along once he was gone? It wasn't so long ago he was mediating between Reishin and Houju over the matter of Yuri. Then it was Lady Shuurei's affections complicating matters, and then the first prince, courting the loyalty of one, and then the other when Reishin rebuffed him with more venom than was strictly wise. Such was his friend's habit.
"I'm not afraid of the Sa clan," Yuushun said once the other had swallowed. How could he fear them, when the Kou were more intimidating in every way, if one let oneself dwell? "I hope Advisor Sa didn't exaggerate when he described your abilities."
"They're not like the Kou or the Ran," Ensei said, echoing his comparison. "They don't have the money or reputation to hire the really impressive assassins. You just sit in that office and stamp papers. I'll do the running for you."
...............................................
Winner banners by me, this time. And I'm the only one who gets to make third-rate jokes, got that?