The Silent Prince (Part 5)

Title: The Silent Prince
Author: KrystalKatz
Genre: AU, Action, Romance
Rating: R.
Length: Chaptered.
Pairings: Ohno Satoshi/Ninomiya Kazunari,
Guests: Matsumoto Jun, Yamashita Tomohisa. Ikuta Toma
Disclaimer: I only own the plot
 
Nino’s mouth fell open, his eyes growing wide as they searched Ohno’s face trying to see if the farmer was making fun of him, he looked around frustrated that he couldn’t find anything to write with other than Ohno’s palm.
>Why?<
“Why? What?” Ohno asked with a raised eyebrow, Nino glared at him wondering if he was acting frustrating on purpose
>Why do...You Love... Me? You... Don’t really... Know me...<
“I love you” Ohno told him again, “I love you for being you, whatever has happened in your past if you don’t want me to know then I won’t ask...” he wanted the prince to believe him, he would have buried his feelings, but even if it was just for a day he wanted Nino to know how he honestly felt. Nino was about to write something else when there was a soft knock at the door. “Yes?” Ohno said his heart thumping when he realised whoever it was would have heard them, the door was pushed open and the healer Yamashita came in carrying his brown bag. The look he gave them said he had heard every word
“I was here to see Kana, and she told me you had fainted, your highness” Yamashita said softly
“I’m fine... Sorry, Nino said he’s okay” Ohno said while Nino wrote on his palm, the healer gave a wide smile as he watched the finger move again “How is Kana?”
“She’s doing a lot better, your highness, and now if you will just let check you over so we can calm the old lady and the gentleman that is pacing the hall down” He said, Ohno tried to move away but Nino caught his hand to stop him from leaving.  The farmer looked down at him, and saw his eyes were wide with fear, the dream was still clinging to him.
“I’m just going to be over there, okay?” He said running his thumb over Nino’s hand lightly, Nino nodded and then looked at the healer who was still giving him an easy smile. Ohno stood at the door watching Nino, his heart was still doing little skips at the thought that they had confessed to each other, he was aware that there were going to be problems,. There was also the fact that they would never be able to be together openly but at the moment the main problem was the young healer that had just over heard. Yamashita seemed satisfied with his examination
“You should just rest for awhile, but if you start to feel dizzy again just send Ikuta to get me, okay?”
Nino nodded and then looked at Ohno who came forwards and held out his palm a sleepy smile on his face, “Thank-you”
“You’re welcome your highness” Yamashita said with a bow before turning to leave, Ohno looked at Nino and then grabbed the healers shoulder
“Wait a minute” He said the healer turned to look at them again with a raised eyebrow “About what...” Ohno started, wondering if it was an act of the gods that a temple healer had overheard his confession but Yamashita held his hand up quickly,
“I’m the last person to judge” The healer smiled and then coughed slightly as his cheeks were tinged with red,
“You’re from the temples...”
“Yes and I like the healing part, but the judging people, I can live without” Yamashita said flashing a smile at both of them before turning away and Ohno was positive he heard something like “I can’t say I’m free from thoughts like that..”
Ohno scratched his head and turned back to Nino, “I’ll tell Yori you’re awake and get you some paper and a pen” He said Nino nodded gratefully there was a lot they needed to talk about. In the end though they didn’t get around to it, the clouds were heavy with snow and Yori insisted they head back to the hall as soon as possible, Ohno suspected the knight was more worried about more things other than snow. Yori was silent as they headed back to the hall, not that Nino noticed his mind was filled with thoughts of Ohno. He couldn’t believe he had told him that he loved him back, he had been positive that if he knew the farmer would have been disgusted and hated him for what he was feeling, but instead he had told him that he loved him too. His heart was fluttering around in his chest; he knew Ohno wasn’t the type to play around with someone’s feelings or say something he didn’t mean. His heart did another little happy jump as they arrived at the hall.
“Your highness, what are your feelings towards Ohno?” Yori asked slowly as Nino sat in his chair near the fire, Nino looked at his faithful knight steadily and then started writing
>I’m in love with him...< he faced the knight with a level stare and Yori let out a long sigh
“Your highness...Nino, you have to think about this, you are the crown prince, but even for you a relationship with someone of the same gender, the temples would not allow it...”
>I know, but it doesn’t change the way I feel... I really do love him...<
“I believe you” Yori told him with a smile “But if this is found out it won’t be you that is punished, Nino, he will be...”
>You’re telling me I should just leave him?< Nino asked still looking up at him, Yori stared into his honest open eyes wanting to say ‘Yes’ it would be better there was no way this could end well for either of them but he was still deeply in love with Aimi and although that hadn’t been able to spend much time together he would never regret the times they did have.
“No, I’m telling you to be careful” He said softly “Whatever you do and whoever you love I will support you, Nino, you know that”
>Thank-you, Yori,< Nino smiled at his old guardian thankfully, >Yori... Did something happen when you went back to the castle?< Yori stared at him in silence for awhile and then let out a long sigh
“It was something and nothing, your highness, at the moment you shouldn’t let it bother you “
Nino frowned but he had learnt a long time ago it never worked to push the old knight so he was surprised when Yori carried on speaking “One day soon you may have to go back to the castle I know you want to stay with Ohno forever but it is your duty to serve your country and people as their king, Nino...”
>I know and when I have to I will go...< Nino wrote though his face said clearly that he would give up the throne in a heartbeat if it meant he could stay with Ohno, Yori gave a small smile and patted his shoulder gently
“I didn’t want to tell you yet, and after what happened today... Are you sure you’re okay?”
>No... But I will be< Nino answered and gave a smile there was still some fear in his heart but Ohno’s confession had done a lot to push it to the back of his mind. Yori smiled
“You’ve become a lot stronger, Nino... Physically as well as mentally...”
>It still scares me... But when the time comes I will be able to face him again< Nino wrote,
“I never doubted you, Nino” Yori beamed though he knew a lot of Nino’s new found confidence was to do with the sleepy farmer. Yori had to admit he’d been surprised when Ohno had snapped at him, but it had done a lot to convince him to support whatever relationship they had, not that he would be much help, which reminded him of a letter he had received that morning “In a few days my nephew will be coming to stay with us, if you don’t mind...”
>Your nephew?< Nino frowned, he knew that Yori did have a family but he’d been told they didn’t speak very often.
“My brother’s son, Toma, he wishes to be a knight... He has been to the academy and has asked me to teach him further...”
>You will be a great teacher< Nino said forcing the fear away not everybody was like Ryuu, and if he was related to Yori, he was sure Toma would be okay >and this house is as much yours as it is mine...<
“Thank-you, your highness...” Yori smiled warmly
>I think I will go to bed< Nino wrote slowly though he suspected he wouldn’t sleep, if he stayed down Yori would too and he wanted to think some more. The next two days neither Ohno or Nino spoke about what had happened Nino was too nervous and Ohno didn’t want the prince to think he was being pushy, but to Kana and Yori the looks they gave each other was worth a thousand words and although they were both worried about them they were happy to see them so happy. They were working in the barn when Nino held up a note he had written that morning, deciding it was too awkward to leave things as they were between them >Do you really love me? You don’t think it’s sick?<
“I really love you, Nino and no I don’t think its sick” the farmer told him with a smile “you’re  the most perfect person I know...”
>You don’t know everything...< Nino wrote >If you knew the truth...<
“Nino, even if you told me your entire life story I would still love you...” Ohno told him gently and ran a thumb over his lips, Nino shivered slightly his breath catching in his throat “Are you okay?” He asked softly, Nino nodded gulping as Ohno brought his face in closer, the moment their lips touched there was a rush down the prince’s spine causing him to shiver, he gripped Ohno’s arm tightly, his nails digging in more than his realised, Ohno gave a chuckle and deepened the kiss his tongue probing at Nino’s mouth for entrance. After awhile Nino pushed him away, his heart racing against his chest, his eyes were wide and traced with a small amount of fear, Ohno smiled and gently stroked his hair out of his face, he had expected it, and it would have been surprising if Nino could just accept his kisses after what had happened so he just stroked the back of his hand with his thumb. Nino watched him with a frown wondering how Ohno could be so understanding, it was normal to want to kiss the person you were in...Love with and he knew the farmer wouldn’t be like, Ryuu but he couldn’t stop the fear in his heart.
“It’s okay Nino, I can wait until you’re ready” Ohno murmured “I’m fine as long as you believe that I am in love with you”
>Thank-you< Nino wrote slowly, the writing was shaky, like a spider had crawled across the page >I love you<
“I love you too,” Ohno chuckled kissing his hand repeatedly, Nino gave one of his silent laughs, his cheeks flushing just slightly and Ohno was convinced that for as long as he lived he would never see anything as beautiful as Nino. He had thought so when he had first seen him in the forest, but he had gotten more beautiful the more he had gotten to know him, he had no idea how long they had together, one day Nino would have to go back to the castle become king and get married and produce an heir. His heart throbbed at that thought, and hugged a surprised Nino quickly  accidently pushing him into the hay, he felt Nino writing something on his back
>What’s wrong?< he asked
“Nothing, I’m just being stupid” Ohno smiled pulling away, “Come on prince, there’s still a lot of work to do...”
>Don’t call me prince!< Nino wrote quickly, pouting up at him, but allowed himself to be pulled to his feet and out of the hay. Ohno laughed as he pulled bits out of Nino’s hair and then kissed his hand again
“I love you my prince...” He whispered causing Nino to blush again and then hit him before they climbed down the wooden ladder. They finished the work quickly and although Kana and Yori sensed their relationship had progressed neither said anything just sent prayers up to the gods. The next day Nino was getting ready when a messenger arrived, the prince was convinced it was going to be ordering him back home so when Yori came in he had already started writing a protest that it was too soon
“You have been invited to Matsumoto manor” Yori told him “It seems his lordship has found out you are staying here”
>Do I have to go?<
“It would be rude if you refused, your highness” Yori sighed “Though I wonder how they knew you were here...”
>Because of that lord< Nino wrote nervously >will he still be there?<
“I don’t know your highness, but I shall be by your side” Yori promised. The night of the dinner came and Nino really wished he could say he was sick or busy, but he still put on his formal clothes and got into the carriage. They pulled up outside the beautiful hall and instead of going through the servant’s entrance like he had with Kana they went through the large double doors and were introduced rather grandly to the man Nino had taken a dislike too.
“Your highness, I wasn’t aware that you were staying in the area or I would have invited you here sooner” Lord Matsumoto said with an almost un-polite bow, Nino nodded his head slowly “Your father told me you were staying in the country, but I had no idea it was in my village... Allow me to introduce my son, Jun, he has only just returned from the academy...” A taller man stepped forwards, and gave a polite bow
“Your highness” He looked proud but there was something else in his eyes, a small trace of fear that Nino could understand he pulled out his notebook
>Nice to meet you< He wrote and Matsu raised an eyebrow in surprise, Nino looked at Yori who gave a quick description of Nino’s condition, and then Nino moved his pen again >Thank you for inviting me< even though he didn’t mean it, he would rather be with Ohno and Kana in the small farmhouse kitchen.  Lord Matsumoto gave a smile while Matsu was staring at him. Nino was just relieved the other young noble was nowhere to be seen. He was sat next to Matsu and Nino was happy about that fact, although the young lord did seem a little stuck up he didn’t think he would be if he was away from his father, he reminded Nino a little of himself, trapped in a life just because of his father. in his first sentence Matsu proved Nino’s theory right about the other noble being the one that had told them he was in the area, he could also tell Matsu had no liking for the man,
“Lord Yamoto told us you were in the area your highness...” Matsu said, his lips curved into an almost scowl that didn’t suit his perfect features, while he spoke of the lord “He said you were working on a farm” he added  
>I was, with my friend< Nino nodded >I work there most days<
“I wonder if... Could I join you?” Matsu asked surprising him, the young noble lowered his voice “Please, I don’t want to spend all day here with just my dad” Nino raised an eyebrow studying his face he realised was telling the truth, with a smile Nino nodded the pen moving on the paper again
>I’m sure Satoshi won’t mind< Nino told him, though he was surprised by the look on Matsu’s face when he told which farm it was >Is something wrong?<
“No... No it’s just...” Matsu frowned, wondering if the prince knew about the rumours surrounding the farmer.  “You go there a lot?”
>Every day, Satoshi is a good guy...<
“I’m sure he is, your highness” Matsu said after awhile “I will join you tomorrow then... What time do you start?”
>7.00 but Satoshi starts earlier< Nino said giving a silent laugh at the expression on Matsu’s face, >don’t worry just come when you’re awake< he said Matsu nodded
“Thank-you, your highness” he said happily, but then they were stopped by Lord Matsumoto talking about his father. Nino watched the clock praying he could leave soon. The next day Ohno was clearing snow when a horse rode into the farm, Nino had told him Matsu would be coming though he hadn’t believed him, he had never seen the young lord before and he had never realised how pretty he was, though he decided quickly Nino was a lot cuter and his choice of wearing rings to do farm work was a bit off. Matsu looked around with a raised eyebrow before he got of the horse and walked towards Ohno
“Excuse me, is the prince here?”
“Yes, my lord, he’s in the kitchen preparing lunch” Ohno answered as he pulled the thick gloves Kana had knitted off and wiped his hands on the handkerchief he kept in his work shirt, Matsu nodded and looked around again
“Nice farm”
“Thank-you, sir” Ohno raised an eyebrow “I’m Ohno Satoshi, sir”
“Oh, I’m Matsumoto Jun, nice to meet you”
“And you sir” Ohno bowed, they stared at each other in silence until Nino came out of the farmhouse and went to grab Ohno’s arm while smiling at Matsu, who quickly gave him a polite bow.
“Nino your hands are cold, you should have stayed inside...” Ohno mumbled, Nino quickly held up a prewritten note
>Your hands are colder, your lunch is ready, Kana has gone to rest and Yori has gone to fetch his nephew so I couldn’t shout so don’t moan at me< Ohno chuckled lightly wishing he could kiss his hand but deciding against such an action in front of the young lord, who face was already whitening as he looked at them, Nino let go of Ohno’s arm and led them both into the warm kitchen, Matsu was amazed at how small the place was and how used to it Nino seemed to be, looking at him he wouldn’t have been able to tell it was the same guy as last night. Last night Nino looked uncomfortable his eyes darting around as if looking for escape but here they were almost glowing with happiness, the farmer too, they were talking about things he couldn’t understand but he really wanted too, he hated being back here in the manor with his father, he wanted to be back at the school, but looking around the warm kitchen and Nino’s happy face he felt like maybe he had found a place he could escape too. They had finished eating and Nino was washing up when there was a soft knock, frowning Ohno went to answer it and was surprised to see the healer standing there
“I hope you don’t mind, I was passing and I thought I’d come and see how you are... Don’t worry I won’t charge” Yamashita said with a cheerful smile as he was let inside, “Lord Matsumoto” He said with slight amazement when he saw him sat at the table, Matsu nodded his head “I haven’t seen you since you left for the academy... I trust you are well...”
“I’m fine thank you...” Matsu answered, Yamashita opened his mouth to say something else when the door was pushed open again and Yori and another guy walked in, Nino supposed this must be Yori’s nephew the knight in training, Yamashita looked close to fainting when he saw him,
“Toma?” The healer whispered staring at the young knight his mouth hanging open,
“Y-Yamapi?” Toma whispered the bag he was carrying falling out of his hands
 
A/N: Part 5 :D Jun’s here and Toma... I  hope you enjoy ^.^