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iscoliya · 5 years

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The Thunderbird’s Call - Chapter 1

A longer chapter this time - hope you enjoy! :)

“With all due respect, Your Highness, I believe I speak for everyone present when I say that your constant refusal of any and all betrothal propositions for one reason or another is making our situation a little difficult.” At the calculating glint in the other’s eyes, a sudden sense of dread takes hold of him; a feeling that he isn’t going to like what is about to come next. As it turns out, he is right. “Though my guess is that we can all imagine what the cause for your actions may be.”

“Councillor!” Rei tries to interject, but her attempt to calm the waters goes unheard by both parties.

“I am honestly curious, what is it that keeps the crown prince going back to a common omega with nothing to his name but his body? Or is it just that?”

«Prologue

Chapter 2»

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Kazuya

Despite Eijun’s best efforts, Kazuya figures he is late again since everyone else seems to be present already when he arrives at the council chambers. As the members rise at his entrance, he sweeps a glance through the room and takes in the three missing faces, none of them surprising to him; after all, both General Kataoka Tesshin and Takigawa Chris Yuu, who usually serves as bookkeeper and scribe at these sessions, are currently away on a reconnaissance mission and his father – well. His father rarely attends meetings these days, almost permanently holed up in his study or discussing state matters in private and trusting his son and the council members to relay important information if need be. It even seems startling whenever he chooses to attend meals with others instead of eating by himself, Kazuya muses as he settles in his seat right next to the table’s head side.

“So good of you to join us, Your Highness,” councilman Ochiai Hiromitsu, drawls from a spot to his left, though he remains ignored for the time being. Yup, definitely late.

Apart from the king, himself and the aforementioned, the capital’s inner council usually comprises two more members; Oota Kazuyoshi, an older alpha who has already been in service before Kazuya was even born, and Takashima Rei, a beta with exceptional analytical skills and a tactical mind almost on par with his own. On this day they have two other attendees in the form of Yuuki Tetsuya, a young alpha who has risen through the ranks quickly due to his military prowess, and Watanabe Hisashi, a beta close to Kazuya’s own age who aspires to become an intelligence gatherer for the royal family in the future. With the General and Chris absent, the two of them should take over their duties as the military mouthpiece and scribe respectively to ensure both a proper communication between all areas of the court and a record of the concerns mentioned.

In the brief silence that emerged after his entrance and Ochiai’s subsequent comment, his gaze finally seeks that of Rei, as he trusts her to present the issues in need of addressing and to mediate the discussions that are quite probable to arise; especially if one certain topic is brought up again…

“Thank you all for attending this early meeting,” Rei begins and as she starts to drone on about taxes and dues, Kazuya takes this as his cue to drift off slightly. Of course, he knows he should be paying close attention to the dealings of what will probably be his kingdom in the near future, but with sleep just around the corner and a certain omega’s scent still lingering in his nostrils, he can’t help but think about the latter and the way he fit in his arms so perfectly. How he smells so much more powerful without the aid of the suppressants Kazuya knows tend to make him tired and woozy after a while. The way his body responded so beautifully to his touch after the initial tension, so relaxed and pliable, both firm and soft in all the right places. How his eyes are an unadulterated mirror of his emotions, sparkling from excitement, gleaming with mischief, blazing with anger and at times downright smouldering. The way his unique purring resonated through his whole body, willing his own crooning to come forward, almost as if calling to his alpha to come forward and play. How he wanted to–

“What do you think, Your Highness?” Rei’s voice again, this time pulling him out of his very private thoughts and all of a sudden, all eyes are on him. However, Kazuya is not one to go down that easily.

“I agree that while a more detailed treaty with the Eastern forces can only be of great advantage to us, we should not let ourselves be crossed over that easily,” he begins, surveying the present members one after another. “After all, our economy is the more stable one while they are struggling, so let them bring their terms to us and see if their propositions are within reason.” A quick glance at Rei and the appreciative smile she sends his way tells him that his answer is to her satisfaction. Silently, he sends a little prayer of thanks to the gods for his ability to keep track of things even while distracted as well as the control he has over his scent and expression. However, he should probably invest himself a little more into the discussion.

“That being said, how are the new recruits coming along, Yuuki?” he asks, not least in order to remove a little attention from his person. Looking at the other, it still feels a little weird to be talking to him in such a formal setting when they have trained and played shougi together on a regular basis not too long ago.

“Very well, Your Highness,” the addressed alpha replies while instantly straightening up a little more. “Most of them have shown great promise over the duration of the last training periods. We expect them to be ready for service by next spring at the latest.” If he looks a little proud at the last statement, no one calls him out on it. It is a well-known fact how much he, as one of the youngest guard captains in the kingdom’s history, contributes to both the new and already seasoned warriors’ training.

“Good, good. A few retirements are in order for next year, so we can definitely use some new manpower,” Kazuya muses and a gaze out of the window tells him that they have already been at it for quite a while, since the sun has long risen up high in the sky. “Now, if that is all for today, we should–“

“Actually,” Rei disrupts his words of parting, “there is one more subject to discuss.” A slightly hesitant look in his direction tells him everything he needs to know about what is to come. “We have received a proposal from the Fujiwara family. They would like to offer the hand of their youngest daughter to Your Highness in courtship.”

Now that seems a little baffling to Kazuya, and a sideways glance in Yuuki’s direction, who has grown almost imperceptibly stiff at the last sentences, tells him that he isn’t the only one. The Fujiwara are one of Seidou’s most prominent merchant families, incredibly wealthy and many a family member holds an influential position within the capital; thus, it is to no surprise that they are also known being rather prideful in regards to their standing and achievements. The youngest daughter of the main branch being only slightly his senior, he has known Takako since a rather young age, as she spent quite some time at court with other young omegas from influential families for educational purposes. However, he also knows that during this time, she has grown rather close with a certain loud-mouthed guard, whose intentions to one day start courting her have turned into a bit of a not-quite secret amongst the palace staff. And the fact that even Yuuki, being as close to a best friend of Isashiki as it can get, doesn’t appear to have any prior knowledge to the fact that the Fujiwara seem to have other plans for their daughter, speaks for itself in regards to the question of whether this proposal is a consensual one. Despite the possibly delicate nature of the matter, Kazuya doesn’t have to think twice about his answer.

“No.” If the issue weren’t as serious, he would have relished the throughout bewildered faces of the people around him. As it stands, he keeps his face calm and devoid of any emotion despite the storm brewing inside him.

“No?” Ochiai is the one to break the silence in his usual nonchalant fashion, although he, too, seems to be a little surprised by the decisiveness of his response.

“While I am aware that the Fujiwara family plays a crucial part in the goings of the capital and it would be an honour to incorporate one of their members into the royal household, I do not think that Takako-san and I would make a great match. Besides,” he adds when he sees Oota open his mouth in protest from the corner of his eye, “I am not going to accept a proposal that was made without a potential partner’s explicit consent, nor will I stand in the way of a relationship that has been in the making for quite some time.” His accompanying stern glance, however, doesn’t seem to be fully effective, as it doesn’t take long for words of objection to emerge.

“But Your Highness, please consider that we cannot be certain whether such a relationship actually exists,” Oota tries to reason, even though it seems a little half-hearted. “And as you yourself said, the Fujiwara would be a tremendous strategic asset to the crown, not to mention the dowry* brought into a potential marriage.”

“Also, technically a consent of the spouse-to-be is not essential if the parents agree to the match,” Ochiai muses, twirling his goatee thoughtfully.

“I am not going to force someone to mate with me, such out-dated practises have been abolished long ago for a reason.” Though it doesn’t show in his tone, Kazuya can feel tension rising in his body at the councilman’s objection. The nerve– “Apart from that, please keep in mind that the council has agreed in the past on a betrothal with a party from another kingdom being better suited for political purposes.”

“Councillor!” Rei tries to interject, but her attempt to calm the waters goes unheard by both parties.

“I am honestly curious, what is it that keeps the crown prince going back to a common omega with nothing to his name but his body? Or is it just that?”

“Silence!”

The whole room startles under the combined force of Kazuya’s voice and the way he slams his palms on the table as he stands. Usually, he might be ashamed about such an emotional outburst, but at this moment, as he feels himself trembling with rage, he can’t think about anything but the fact that someone has just dared to insult his mate. However, as quick as his alpha side has emerged, he forces it back down while realizing that he might just have given his adversary exactly what he has been hoping for. Subtly, he takes a calming breath before addressing the older again.

“You speak of respect, yet your words show anything but. This ‘common omega’ you refer to has been accepted as a member of the royal family in everything but name, therefore an insult against him is an insult against the crown.” Finally, after another few seconds, Ochiai averts his gaze under the hard stare he is targeted by. “I do not know about the grievances you seem to have against him, but I can assure you that there is nothing between us that would be of any relevance to this council. Regardless,” and at this, he returns his attention to everyone present, “I will not have anyone disrespect him, be it in my presence or otherwise.”

All of a sudden, he feels weary and tired, as if a large burden has been placed upon his head. Gone is the happiness he felt just this morning and he longs for that comforting presence at his side, but he knows that he has to bring this to an end first.

“Without meaning any slight, I hereby humbly reject the Fujiwara family’s proposal and that is final,” he states and before anyone else can interrupt, he straightens up to his full height, preparing to leave. “If there is nothing else for the time being, I would like to adjudge this meeting to be concluded.”

_____________

Youichi

‘Yikes,’ is the first thing that comes to his mind when he spots a rather dishevelled Eijun entering the training grounds and manages to detect a certain prince’s scent on him from what feels like miles away; judging by some of the other soldiers’ either intimidated or wary reactions, he isn’t the only one. Tamping down the urge to keep back from someone smelling so blatantly aggressive of another alpha, he makes a beeline for the unassuming omega and deals him a swift kick to the backside.

“Nice bedhead you got goin’ there, hyaha,” he cackles and can’t withhold a satisfied grin at the pained yelp his action is met with.

“Senpai, that hurt!” Eijun whines pitifully while trying to rub his aching body part as well as fix his messy hair at the same time; a quite comical picture, Youichi notices with malicious joy. “And it’s not my fault!”

“Hoo?” Of course the alpha can imagine who the actual culprit behind the other’s the tousled appearance is, at least judging by the persistent scent clinging to him, but he wouldn’t be true to his prankster nature if he didn’t keep the other in suspense for a little while. Taking him into a headlock and destroying the carefully re-crafted hairstyle, he walks them in the direction of the barracks, ignoring the accompanying protests. “Then I guess neither does the fact that you’ve got Miyuki’s name basically written all over your scent have anything to do with you, hm?”

While he struggles to keep himself from face planting right into the ground, a frustrated groan leaves the omega. “Stupid clingy tanuki bastard, wants to get me into trouble all the time…”

Grinding to a halt, Youichi eyes his companion incredulously; he can’t possibly be that daft, can he? That is, until he spots the light blush on the other’s cheeks, a total contrast to his cursing and disgruntled demeanour. As if burned, he releases the chokehold, rolling his eyes and releasing an annoyed tsk. Those two were just fucking unbelievable.

“Jeez, idiot,” he sighs, folding his hands behind his head, careful to keep his voice low so they wouldn’t be overheard. He is definitely not the right person for this kind of talk. “Y’know, the sooner you two admit you like each other, the sooner you can finally start courting.”

“C-courting?!”

Oh, there goes his attempt at subtlety.

“Not so loud, stupid! What are you, a retard?” he hisses and slaps his counterpart over the head as he notices a few heads turning towards them.

“But who says anything about courting?” Eijun mumbles sullenly and his pout might have been a little endearing if it weren’t for the sheer stupidity of it all. “You know we’re not like that, Kuramochi-senpai.” At the way the other averts his gaze just so, Youichi can feel something tugging at his heartstrings.

Although he would probably never admit it out loud, over the years he has developed something of a brotherly instinct towards the brunette loudmouth. Granted, at first, when he moved to the capital at fourteen in order to train to become a soldier, he was more than irritated by his antics and overall behaviour, constantly yapping and going on about becoming the best swordsman there is. Also, he didn’t quite know what to make of this young omega who tried so desperately to prove himself in a world dominated by alphas and betas; where he came from, a village in rural Chiba, people were still of the out-dated mind set that omegas were somewhat inferior compared to the other dynamics and should mainly busy themselves with housework and caring for their families. Youichi himself never paid much heed to such things, as in his eyes deeds spoke louder than words and everyone should have the right to do what they like to do. But even in the capital, where the old-fashioned opinion of alpha superiority and prejudices are slowly dying out, an omega in military training is something more than just an unusual sight, if not openly frowned upon. After all, omegas in general are supposed to be more meek and soft, thus allegedly missing the fierceness and resolve to thrive in such a competitive and aggressive environment. Therefore, sadly, it was a given that Eijun had to prove himself double the amount that others had to, on a daily basis at that. Even now, Youichi isn’t sure if he will be allowed to actually hold a position in the military despite undergoing the same training every recruit has to successfully complete.

He remembers vividly some of the abuse the other had to endure; not just because of his secondary gender but even more so due to his past or rather the lack of his memories thereof. He remembers how others made fun of him and his slender built, ridiculed his admittedly abysmal skills in archery, called him a no-name and a freak, a charity case or the prince’s pet. Never in front of the instructors, mind you, and least of all ever within any vicinity of Miyuki, who, as it turned out, might as well have gone on a rampage if he ever caught wind of someone badmouthing or mistreating the omega. But even with Eijun keeping silent on the matter and bearing everything people threw at him, something must have slipped through, because after a while, Miyuki took to scenting him every now and then; both a clear sign for others to back off and his own way of trying to protect him. And he wasn’t the only one to stand up for him.

He doesn’t know when exactly he started to feel like this, but Youichi can admit to himself that he respects the younger. He came to respect his drive and wilful nature, his fiercely loyal streak, his optimistic and open attitude and the way he drags everyone around him along and makes them want to be better than they have ever been. He respects his independence, as he was never the type to tattle or ask for help; on the contrary, he insists on dealing with things, no matter how difficult, by himself, without relying too much on others. He respects his kind-heartedness and impartiality. He even respects his skills in swordplay, lousy as they were in the beginning. And thus he, too, has become protective of the other; not that it has been necessary for quite some time now, not with him finding more and more friends and improving drastically over time. And if he shows his affection through wrestling and light insults, well… The parties involved surely know these gestures for what they are. And as such–

“Look, moron,” he begins as calmly as he can and ignores the consequent interjection of “How did I go from idiot to moron?!”. “Usually I’d say it’s none of my business and maybe it ain’t. But believe it or not, I want your stupid ass to be happy and if it takes that bastard for that, then go for it.”

“But I told you–“

“Yeah, yeah, you’re not like that, he doesn’t like you like that or whatever. That’s why you arrived here looking and smelling as if you’d just rolled right outta bed with him.”

If Eijun has been blushing before, it is nothing compared to the completely red, flustered mess these words turn him into right at that moment. Youichi might actually pity him, the display not that far off from some kind of fish gasping for water, but he is trying to make a point here, dammit.

“I can see it, everyone can see it, except for you. Or maybe you can but are so deep in denial that–“

“I get it.”

Okay, that is not the reaction Youichi has been expecting; more yelling, for sure, and maybe some more stuttering but not something akin to acceptance and resignation in that small voice. He decides he doesn’t like it.

“I get it, I really do, even if I’m kinda stupid sometimes,” the brunette continues with a rueful grin. “I know he cares for me, some way or another. But I– We can’t–“ For once, he seems to be at a loss for words and where the alpha might have celebrated the occasion any other day, he starts to feel slightly ill. Because he knows what has the usually airheaded and even a little careless omega so down, and his heart goes out to his friends; plural since despite how much he likes to rant about Miyuki’s personality being the worst there is, over the years he has also turned into one of his best friends. Therefore, them being so obviously smitten with each other but feeling unable to act on their wishes makes him want to go fuck something up.

Suddenly, the all too familiar subtle scent of newly cut grass and jasmine invades his senses, milliseconds before a precise chop is delivered on Eijun’s head.

“Don’t think too hard or you’ll hurt yourself,” comes the deceptively calm voice that manages to send shivers down his spine every time he hears it.

“Onii-san, not you too!”

The beta in question turns his supposedly amicable smile from Eijun to him and he feels his own grin slip from his face. Somehow, he has a bad feeling about this.

“Ah, Ryou-san. We were just…” Jeez, why is it that he, the usually ever so eloquent one, doesn’t know what to say when face to face with this one person. There he goes, preaching about sorting feelings out to others; maybe he should take his own advice someday.

“Late for training?” Ryousuke suggests slyly and his words startle Eijun out of his stupor.

“Aahhh, Captain is going to kill me!” And with that, he is off like an arrow and leaves Youichi in a rather uncomfortable situation.

“How much of that did you hear?”

“Enough.”

“You’re not gonna let me live it down, are you?”

“Now where would the fun in that be?”

_____________

Rei

She catches up to Kazuya in a hallway that leads towards the palace gardens.

“Your Highness!”

Although she notices the stiffness in his shoulders, he wears a smile on his lips as soon as he turns around. Of course, she has no doubts as to its falseness.

“Rei-chan.” His grin takes a slightly sardonic turn. “Or is it Councillor Takashima right now?”

Her features soften imperceptibly in the face of the insecurity she knows he tends to hide behind sarcastic displays and a sharp tongue.

“Walk with me,” she offers instead of an answer and falls into step with him in the direction he was originally headed. No other words are issued until they reach their destination, both of them mindful of the possibility of even the walls having ears. Only then does the beta raise her voice again.

“What you did was stupid.”

A laugh is the answer to her admonishment, but it is not an altogether humorous or happy one; this one is an ugly sound, full of derision and self-deprecation.

“Never one to mince your words, Rei-chan, are you,” Kazuya remarks before his expression turns serious once more.

“I apologize for reacting the way I did.” Unwillingly, his hands ball into fists. “But he crossed a line and I would never stand for that, not when–” She keeps quiet as he breaks off, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. “His comment was aimed at my weakest spot and I should have anticipated it. I just can’t think all that straight when it comes to someone wanting to run him down.”

“Vicious as his words were, there was at least some truth to them.” She holds up a hand before he can oppose her statement. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but the council has been incredibly patient until now; you need to find a mate eventually, sooner rather than later.”

Even as she speaks, she can see his broad shoulders sagging, his features falling and all of a sudden, again standing before her is the little boy of five years who has just lost his mother to a terrible illness. Despite being only barely out of her teens herself at the time, she can recall the way the young prince seemed to withdraw from everyone around him in the aftermath of the loss. And how, almost a year later, he regained his smile and strength, all thanks to a boy who would turn the palace life upside down in due time. Back then, no one could have imagined that the same boy would one day turn into the cause for both the prince’s greatest happiness and his biggest regret.

“I am aware of my duties as heir to the throne, really I am,” Kazuya sighs, wringing a hand through his hair. Clearly, in this moment he has lost the will to keep everything bottled up inside him for the time being. “But how do I do it? Even knowing it’s for the good of my people, how can I agree to mating with someone I barely know, if at all, while everything in me bridles at the thought alone?”

She longs to tell him to follow his heart, she really does. But the sense of duty instilled in her knows that if not the people of their kingdom, the other realms’ leaders would never accept a future monarch mating with what they would deign a base-born commoner. And while her heart bleeds for the boy turned man she has developed almost motherly feelings for, she can’t in all conscience put Seidou’s safety at risk like this.

Their private moment is interrupted when the palace doors are thrown open and a guard rushes through, clearly in search of at least one of them if the way he hurries towards them is any indication.

“Your Highness! Councillor Takashima!”

Obviously Kazuya, too, has noticed the man’s laboured breathing and pale complexion, as he turns deadly serious within moments.

“What is it, Sakai?”

The guard, by now standing before them, seems a bit lost for words and it doesn’t bring her any kind of reassurance as to what he is about to tell them.

“The General, he– The party was ambushed–“

Cold apprehension grips her at his words and she isn’t sure if she wants to hear the rest of it. Taking another deep breath, the soldier steels himself for relaying his message.

“General Kataoka is dead.”

_____________

* Dowry is an ancient custom and means the transfer of parental property, gifts or money at the marriage of a daughter. In other words, a dowry is a type of conjugal fund brought into the marriage by the wife. It is most common in cultures that are strongly patrilineal, for example in different historic periods in Europe, South Asia and Africa. In Japan, it was most commonly practised during the Edo period.

#fanfiction #my writing #the thunderbird's call #diamond no ace #daiya no ace #misawa #miyusawa

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