|
Assuage [1] by Jack of Spades
They first met at Ueno Park, on a cool Friday afternoon.
Sakurazuka
Seishirou had just been leaving the sakura grove when he caught sight of the
tall young man amongst the tree�s flowering branches. Instinctively he drew
back, concealing himself in the shadows, but the newcomer didn�t appear to have
noticed him. With his keen hunter�s eyes, Seishirou studied the figure before
him, poised and ready to attack if the need arose.
Gradually,
his tautness faded into a more relaxed stance. The newcomer didn�t have an aura
of antagonism about him. If anything, he was the one totally at ease. His tan
overcoat billowed slightly in the breeze, curling around his slender body.
Beneath the coat, he wore entirely black � a simple shirt and slacks. As
Seishirou watched, vague puzzlement starting to nip at him, the stranger
reached upward and gently fingered the sakura blossoms. And as he did so, he
looked deep into the shadows.
Their
eyes met.
Seishirou
took a breath and slowly stepped into the light. The other lowered his arm,
slight surprise crossing his face. And what a truly beautiful face, Seishirou
realized, as he stepped nearer. Fine, dark hair flitted teasingly above eyes a
deep shade of emerald, preceding a long graceful arch of a nose, emphasizing
his high, prominent cheekbones. Rosy, sensuous lips completed the stranger�s
visage. Seishirou stared, enraptured, as those lips curved into a faint smile.
�You
startled me,� the young man said softly. His voice, like his countenance, was
indescribably enchanting.
Seishirou
shook himself inwardly. �I�m sorry,� he apologized, unable to tear his gaze
away from the stranger. Eventually, he gestured to the pink swirls above them.
�Do you like sakura blossoms?�
The other
tilted his head in a minute nod. He reached out and caught a flower in his
long-fingered hand. �They�re beautiful, aren�t they?� he queried. He smiled
again, bathing Seishirou in a reassuring light.
�Like
you,� Seishirou said, without thinking. When he realized what he had just said,
he blinked. But the stranger had already turned aside, his cheeks taking on a
faint crimson tinge. The blush heightened his exquisite features, leaving
Seishirou more than just breathless.
�What�s
your name?� he asked gently.
The positively enthralling green eyes met his again.
�Sumeragi Subaru,� came the shy reply.
Sumeragi?
Seishirou
drew back, his mind uncharacteristically turbulent. This.....this achingly
alluring young man....
Was from
the Sumeragi Clan.
His
Clan�s sworn enemies.
�Is
something wrong?� Subaru asked, soft voice concerned. Seishirou looked into the
Sumeragi�s eyes again and momentarily his chaotic thoughts calmed. �No...� he
breathed, lost in the young man�s gaze. �Nothing�s wrong.�
Again
came that gentle smile, washing away his apprehensions. �That�s good. I was
afraid I had hurt you, in some way....
�You
haven�t told me your name yet.�
The
Sakurazukamori tensed. �Sei-Seishirou,� he answered haltingly.
Subaru
laughed quietly, the sound akin to peals of bells. �Just Seishirou?�
�For
now.� Seishirou stopped himself from reaching out to brush away the young man�s
fringe from his brow.
�Very
well,� Subaru agreed, though his eyes still twinkled with amusement. �May I
call you Seishirou-san, then?�
He did
reach out this time, unable to control himself, and gently stroked Subaru�s
cheek. The Sumeragi started at the touch, but he made no move to dissuade
Seishirou. �You can call me anything you want,� the assassin murmured.
Subaru
shied away from his fingers, turning almost bashfully. �Really, Seishirou-san,�
he chided gently, �we hardly know each other.�
Seishirou
started to say something in reply, but stopped when he made out a distinct, pleasant scent swirling around them. Totally apart
from the fragrance of the sakura blossoms, he realized it was radiating from
Subaru. He leaned closer and inhaled.
Strawberries.
And a dash of vanilla.
It was
simply too much. He longed to reach out and enfold the Sumeragi against him,
breathe in that sweet scent, touch that soft, dark hair. With a tremendous
effort, he steeled himself. Here was his sworn enemy standing not more than a
foot away from him, and the last thing he wanted to do was kill. What on earth
was he thinking?
�Would
you....like to have tea with me?� he asked.
The Sumeragi�s
cheeks colored once more, but he held Seishirou�s gaze fast. �Sure,� he
answered finally, smiling.
Seishirou
extended an arm politely, and when Subaru laid his hand on it, he felt
strangely light-headed. Even through the layers of cloth, he could feel the
Sumeragi�s warmth. And as they walked away from the sakura grove and exited the
park, Seishirou realized that in all the time he had been in Subaru�s
presence.....
He really hadn�t been thinking at all. |