A Chat with the Prince [complete]

[Shizukiri Naia]

Nightfall brought chill, icy winds; it brought feeble campfires and taunted them; it brought thoughts of home and wishes for comforting, warm arms. It also brought Naia out into the darkness, keen to listen, treading in perfect silence over the grassy sod and cursing the lack of proper cover. It was too dangerous, he knew, but he was sure that nothing the Chinese could do to him would compare to Akiyama's ideas of punishment if his work was not satisfactory - he had read that much in his employer's eyes...

But even those thoughts had never brought about the chill that tickled down his spine as Sze Kamlong and Shen Rui discussed the coming war. The embargo, yes - and Japan was right to defend itself - but for China's murder of the Prince? There had been no talk of that. Hence, Naia had stayed to listen to the two, following them with all the noise of a moth in fog, until his questions were answered.

Prince Akihito... was here. In the very tent that he stood before. With the general and lieutenant general out of sight and earshot, Naia stood in front of the tent flap in the pitch-blackness, his hands shaking ever-so-slightly. What he wanted to do was risky, incredibly risky, moreso than sneaking around. If anyone saw him, heard him, even thought they might have heard a single word in Japanese, it would mean his life...

... but that hadn't stopped him before.

Guessing from the voices he'd heard that the prince was alone, and hoping desperately that he was right, he leaned close to the tent flap. In Chinese, just in case anyone might have been awake nearby, he breathed as loudly as he dared, "Prince Akihito. Forgive me for intruding," and entered.

[Koyada Akihito]

Akihito was still shaken up by the General's actions and he was sitting against the pole with his knees to his chest and arms wrapped around them, trying to keep the warmth and security to himself. He was trapped and was labeled an enemy, and he had no one around to really confide in. When he heard a voice, his head raised to look at the flap of the tent. He was expecting one of the guards to come in and order him to do something, a normal routine he had went through at the previous camp. However, his eyes fell upon Naia instead.

By the other's attire he noticed Naia was a regular Chinese soldier, and his right brow rose in curiosity. "..Yes?" he asked, quietly. He was too upset and tired to really make an effort to stand up.

[Shizukiri Naia]

Upon entering, Naia sank to his knees and bowed reverently, dropping his voice to a whisper as he switched to Japanese. "Please tell no one that I am here, and keep your voice low," he nearly begged, using a formal dialect. "I am in the service of Akiyama-shogun to report information on the Chinese military's intentions. My name is Shizukiri Naia. I am enlisted under the alias Xie Jun."

He paused his rushed explanation to sit up again, though his eyes remained on the ground between them. "Why...-" no, to ask such a question would be too curious about courtly matters "-no, how did you get here?"

[Koyada Akihito]

Akihito watched Naia drop down onto his knees in a bow, and his eyes stared at the other blankly. At first he didn't say anything, although making sure to notice the fluent Japanese. However, when he had mentioned Akiyama was involved - he could've lunged at the person ahead of him. Though it couldn't be his fault that Akiyama presumed he was dead? Slowly, he unraveled his arms from under his legs, moving to his knees while placing his left hand onto the ground to lean forward. The bridge of his nose was almost touching Naia's, his expression confused.

"That's of no importance. Because of Akiyama we're going to war - I don't know if I have any say to what happens, but I highly recommend you dismiss yourself from orders," everything was in Japanese, a strange tongue it was to speak again. Lifting his right hand over he rested it on Naia's shoulder and gave the other a sad smile, "how or why I got here doesn't matter anymore. It's getting out that does.."

[Shizukiri Naia]

Naia had done a lot of strange things in his life, but few compared to sitting nose-to-nose with Akihito, with barely an inch separating their faces. He was so close that Naia could barely focus his vision - to keep from going cross-eyed, he let go of visual focus – so close, indeed, that Naia could have kissed him with hardly any effort at all (now, there was an amusing thought, and one that’d probably have gotten him killed faster than anything else he’d attempted over the past weeks). Even though the young man was bedraggled from travel and worry, his hair in disorder and his clothing worn with the unease of one unaccustomed to its fit, he was a handsome creature: thin but round-faced, and with eyes that, while dark, were soft and warm.

Somehow I doubt that news of the prince's relative safety will help matters one bit. If Akihito is out of the way, it's only easier for Akiyama to get what he wants. Power, wealth... idiots like me in the palms of his hands. He’ll take this war and use it to leech every benefit he can from it – but what of China and the trade embargo? If it weren’t for that, one could even suggest that Akiyama has planned all of this from the start… which begs the question, why is the prince here? Naia's eyes fell closed, though he didn't change his posture or move backwards. He looked up again, though, when he felt the warm weight of the prince's hand on his shoulder; that was a smile he didn't care to see, for it was about as warm as the outside air. "On the contrary. If I know why you're here, I could try to help you.

"Though, to dismiss myself from Akiyama's service? If only I could. You know what he would do to me, or failing that, to my family, I imagine?" He waited to see how the prince reacted to that. Surely Akihito knew the shogun's reputation, and if Naia's assumptions were correct, there was more to that look he'd seen in the young man's eyes when he mentioned his employer's name than the imminent war.

(I had this ready to post last night, but spontaneous internet death just rocks so hard. >_<; )

[Koyada Akihito]

He made sure to keep close to Naia, wanting to make sure no one over heard the foreign conversation. Just when he was getting homesick the other had to show up, and using his native language made him feel at ease. Suddenly he let his weight rest on his knees while his free-hand lifted so his fingers could settle over the other's lips to silence him. "I wasn't sure whether or not you were loyal to Akiyama, but I can see he has you by a string as well," he felt sorry for Naia, but he was a victim himself and could easily understand what he meant.

"But if we do return we'll make sure you're safe," Akihito wasn't going to promise it - but he wanted to let Naia know that if he did make it back alive and somehow regained power, that he would cease Akiyama's heartless ruling. "I came here to settle this with Emperor Kamying, unfortunately, on my way there - as you might've heard - there was an assassin attempt on my guards. I had no choice to hide on a ship, only to have it set off here. But I am lucky that I came across the military, because I am sure the civilians would've killed me by now," he was speaking on the account of what type of gestures were displayed when Yulin carted him through the crowd.

His talking got him caught up and he noticed his fingers on the man's lips and carefully removed them. "Sorry," he said meekly, trying to keep the embarrassment by his action hidden. Finally, he set the hand into his lap, but still he held onto Naia's shoulder. "I am happy to see you, even if I barely know you," Akihito admitted, even if he acted tough he had been scared of what would happen next.

(That's okay I went to bed anyways =D )

[Shizukiri Naia]

The fingers against his lips halted any observation Naia might have made on the prince's reaction to his statements, but he was very relieved that the young man appeared to finally trust him, at least a little. Akihito's words were a most welcome change to the icy military air, to the expected distrust of his targets of investigation, and to the chilly ease with which his employer could threaten him with death or worse. He would have bowed again and thanked Akihito heartily, but the prince seemed finally willing to talk, and Naia did not want to interrupt him. Besides, the young man's fingers still rested upon his lips.

The assassination attempt must have been after I left, or I know I would have heard about it, Naia thought, his attention clear in his eyes. Could it have been someone loyal to China, or to Akiyama? I guess it could be unrelated, but that seems like too much of a coincidence.

"There's no need to apologize," he said with a bow of his head when Akihito's fingers lifted. The young man was trying to appear stoic, but his eyes gave away something - was he embarrassed, apologetic? At the other's words, Naia let himself smile subtly, showing no teeth but unable to hide his gratitude. "Knowing that I have an ally here is more than I could have wished."

[Koyada Akihito]

When he heard the other's words a soft smile showed up on his features. His expression was more genuine compared to the first one, however, his fingers curled into Naia's shoulder. Naia was warm, compared to the chilled air temperature. With everything being so abrupt, he didn't have the chance to take out the blankets and sit himself in it. And he wasn't allowed to leave the tent and sit in-front of a fire, either. Quietly, he folded his left arm up and around Naia's shoulder, while letting his right hand slide to the nape of the other's neck. Once he was sure of himself he leaned fully into Naia, placing the male into a tight, but gentle, hug.

Now that they were so close, he let his head rest against Naia's and his mouth settle near to his ear. "I don't want you to leave me," he said, a hint of desperation and fear in his voice.

[Shizukiri Naia]

There was no time for Naia to be made faintly awkward by the prince's smile - in retrospect, for anyone at all, let alone the prince, to direct such a sincere expression at him was definitely unusual - before he felt the grip on his shoulder tighten, the warmth of the arm curling around him, the fingers against his neck. His whole body tensed, and at first, he berated himself - he had dropped his guard, let himself get too close, too comfortable, and was surely going to pay for it; the prince must have feigned trust in order to convince this servant of Akiyama that all was well...

But no death blow came, and he found himself in the prince's embrace, surprisingly warm and pleasant. For all of his ability to read people, he had missed the obvious signs, signs that wouldn't have mattered ordinarily. His heartbeat, which had skyrocketed for the moment in which death seemed imminent, began to slow, but spiked again at the prince's quavering voice in his ear. No, he told himself, now is not the time... if you're found out, it'll be both of you killed, and Japan really will go to the dogs, or one dog in particular...

"If I stay long, I'll be caught," he whispered in reply, allowing his left arm to find its way around Akihito's shoulder and his right hand to briefly touch his hair. Naia's eyes closed again. Though it frightened him, he wasn't sure if he would be able to leave with expediency.

[Koyada Akihito]

Naia's words were very true, if he did stay any longer he would be caught. Although there could be many reasons and excuses to make up the other's presence in the tent - yet, perhaps that would be selfish to ask the other to take the risk. Feeling the other's arm around his shoulder caused him to breathe in lightly, enjoying the embrace by friendly hands. Reluctantly, he pulled out of the grasp only to adjust his position. His hands had found a way to Naia's face, holding it in a stilled position. Akihito was known for being responsible, but in this situation it didn't matter - he didn't know if he would bere here tomorrow to do anything differently.

His face was back in its previous position, just above Naia's nose. Out of affection he tilted forward so his lips rested over the other's mouth, the action was a whisper of a kiss. No matter how he would try and plead with Naia by words, he decided to go by action - although not by force. If he wanted to pull away, he could. His fingers moved over Naia's neck, following over until he reached the curve of the spine, fingers trailing downwards. At least if Naia had to go, he would have this moment to linger in his thoughts.

[Shizukiri Naia]

The thought crossed his mind briefly, as the prince's hands touched Naia's cheeks, that this was certainly improper; that if anyone were to walk in on them, an explanation would be hard to come by even in his usual state of mind, let alone as he was at this moment; that wasn't Akihito supposed to be married soon? But then the young man's lips hovered over Naia's, and his hand trailed down Naia's neck like warm water in the cold air, and he found himself at a loss for any good reason to leave just yet. After all, the weather was poor and the sky empty, while Akihito's tent provided closeness, shelter, more than he thought he would find. He would leave, soon, of course, but a few moments couldn't hurt, could they?

"If you're going to taunt me," he said softly, eyes still closed as one hand twined in the hair at the nape of Akihito's neck, "do it with words, not like this." He leaned forward just slightly to steal the kiss that hovered before him.

[Koyada Akihito]

Another one of those smiles, or more like a smirk, formed into the kiss. His fingers carefully soothed back to touch Naia's hair, adding light pressure into the kiss. Everything was so wrong already - like it no longer mattered if it was right. He had wanted this security for awhile, to share with another person - even if Naia was but a stranger, they had similarities: being tangled up in Akiyama's web. It was also the fact that Naia didn't say too much, which made it all the more mysterious .. as though he was graced with the opprotunity to get close. Needing air to breathe, Akihito broke out of the kiss. Still, his hands held onto the man's face.

"I'm.. not trying to taunt you," he explained, "I just hate to say good bye." There was some truth in that, but he wanted to slow down Naia's process of exiting. He didn't want to go back to thinking about his country perishing and how crippled his life had went. "If.. no, when we return to Japan, you will stay with me?" Akihito wanted to bite his tongue at the request, but that was what he truly wanted. He wanted Naia to be around, just to know he was there out of selfishness. Inching his right thumb up he slowly traced Naia's eye-lid, wanting to ask if the other was sleeping when he knew better - he liked to think Naia was at peace.

[Shizukiri Naia]

Naia laughed once after Akihito broke away, very softly and through closed lips. He wondered idly if the other man could feel his pulse, with the way his hands spread over his cheek and jaw, over several pressure points and prominent blood vessels where one might strike with a blade in close quarters for a nearly assured kill. It had been a long time since he'd had such physical contact, and that it was so enjoyable surprised him. He usually avoided it, not because it wasn't pleasant, but because his life was not one that would last long if ruled by passion.

At the touch above his left eye, he opened his right and met the prince's gaze, the corner of his mouth beginning to hint at an indecipherable smile. He didn't know what to say to a lot of this - it wasn't as if leaving the tent meant they would never meet again (though the way things were going, Naia wasn't banking on either of their survival), and if Akihito intended to return to Japan like he promised, he would have to start thinking with his brain.

"Stay with you?" Naia repeated after a moment passed. "Assuming I can break my ties to Akiyama without incurring the 'fate worse than death' that he promised me..." The truth was, he thought he could enjoy that a great deal, but his job was a significant obstacle.

[Koyada Akihito]

He continued to watch Naia's face. When he opened his left eye Akihito removed his thumb from its position. "Assuming that I return and the right people around, I'll make sure that anything worse than death won't come by," he had worded it just like Naia had, wanting the other to know he was serious about it. Leaning his forehead against Naia's, he looked down at him while his right hand traced along the other's ear before trailing it down his neck. Perhaps it was wrong to always think optimistic - which he did consider the darker possibilities - but if he spoke out the wrong all the time, he wouldn't be a good leader.

No, he didn't have some great plan to do anything within the borders of China but if he made it back to Japan the possibilities would be endless. Now his gaze was piercing Naia's face, his left hand moving up so his fingers could run through the other's hair in a comb-like gesture. He did this because he didn't want to pull hair out from the white cloth. "You look tired," he said with a frown, "Please get some rest."

[Shizukiri Naia]

His other eye opened as the light pressure on its lid was removed, ane he nodded once at Akihito's words. Akiyama won't appreciate your return, he mused, declining to speak aloud until he could find something useful to say, and letting himself lean against the prince's body and his fingers coil in his hair. He'll make certain you're dead, and if he so much as dreams that you aren't, he'll do whatever he can to stop you. You can't stop him on your own; but you know that. How many people are there whom you know are loyal to you?

Naia met the other man's eyes, watching him almost pensively. He brushed Akihito's wrist with his fingers, then reached to smooth a frown line at the corner of his mouth. "As you wish," he said with the most modest of smirks, "Prince Akihito." Standing slowly, he let his hands flow along the prince's arms as if he would have pulled him upwards but did not care to inforce the desire.