krystalkatzfics | The Hummingbird (Part 11)

Title: The Humming Bird

Author: krystalkatz
Rating: G(for this part)
Length: chaptered
Genre: Au,

Pairings: Matsumoto Jun/Ninomiya Kazunari

Disclaimer: I only own the plot

The passage seemed unbelievably long and Jun suspected that it ran under the entire town. He wasn’t sure how long they had been in there but he could tell Nino needed to rest. In the wall there were holders for the lantern and Jun placed it there before putting the pack down and sliding to the floor telling Nino to sit on his legs.

“Jun-sama… I…”

“Kazu-kun, it is okay…” Jun said tugging him down onto his lap and wrapping his arms around him holding him tightly. Resting his head against his thin back “Are you tired, Kazu-kun?”

“A little Jun-sama, but I will not hold you back…” Nino said and Jun knew he was trying to stifle a yawn.

“I not bothered about you holding me back, please do not push yourself…” Jun told him pressing his lip to the rough material that they were both wearing. He let out a sigh and rested his back against the wall, wariness washing over him, the prince wished they could rest for longer but he had no idea what the time it was and when their absence would be discovered.

After sitting for a few more minutes they started their journey again, trying not panic as the lantern started fading. Soon the smooth well maintained walls became more like those of a cave and Jun was positive he could see thin shafts of light. Their pace quickened and after pushing back an over grown tree he realised that they were safely out of the palace.

Stumbling through the wilderness he could make out the walls of the imperial city, rising out of the mist like a mythical spectre. While Nino sagged gratefully onto a tree stump Jun started looking in the bag for the promised address.

“Jun-sama… Should we truly go to my sister? I do not want to bring harm to her…”

“That is where your mo-Nanami told us to go…” Jun told him and Nino nodded staring at a beetle that had come to share the tree stump.

“I understand but my sister might not even want to see me… Much less her master…”

“She will want to see you, Kazu-kun… I am positive of it…” Jun told him coming to kneel in front of him not caring that he landed in a pile of mud. With on hand he took Nino’s with the other he stroked his face lightly trailing his thumb over the thin non-made up lips. “When I asked the owner of the Hummingbird to have you for these four days, I saw letters for you on his desk… They were roughly written but the writer really wanted to know you were safe, I am positive that Kazumi… The real Kazumi-chan very much wants to see her brother again…”

“You really think so?”

“Yes…” Jun nodded confidently, he was worried though that her ‘master’ might not share her enthusiasm. But he couldn’t be all bad, if Nanami said he treated her like his wife. He looked at the address the maid had given them and was surprised that she had also included directions for a mountain house that would be safe for them to rest in. Taking a deep breath he encouraged Nino back up and they started through the dense forest following the map until they almost fell onto the front porch.

The house was expensive looking but old, thick with cobwebs and dust it was dry though and out of the way of the town enough for them to be safe until nightfall again. Jun pushed the door open and almost choked as a dust cloud surrounded them. The sun was creeping ever higher into sky and Jun knew their absence would be noticed soon and he prayed that Masaki and Nanami would be okay. He knew that Nino was thinking the same thing they cleared a space by the window and lay down holding each other tightly. Nino rested his head on the prince’s chest and Jun ran his hand down his back closing his eyes and letting out a sigh.

“Will Masaki-ouji be okay?” Nino asked his voice coming out in a low sounding purr, the sound he made when he was about to fall to sleep.

“Yes… Masaki is charming enough to keep mama happy…” Jun told him his fingers finding a patch of bare skin.

“And my… Nanami-san what will happen to her?”

“I have a feeling that Nanami-san can take care of herself… Kazu-kun, I know that you may find it hard to believe but I know she must have had her reasons for leaving you…”

“I know, Jun-sama… I just… I still find it hard to believe that I have a mother…” Nino mumbled “And there are a lot of things I would like to know but I am scared of what her opinion of me must really be…” Jun’s tightened his arms around him, the floor was uncomfortable but the prince was glad that he was there.

“From what I have seen, Nanami-san’s opinion of you is high… It is clear that she loves you…” Jun told him and all he received in reply was a soft snore and Jun gave a chuckle kissing Nino’s forehead before closing his eyes and giving into the tiredness that had been threatening to overwhelm him for a while.

He woke every now and then at some imagined noise picturing that the palace guards had already found them. But as when he looked around they were still alone in the house in the wood with insect noises creeping in from the outside and Nino murmuring in his sleep. The final time he woke up Nino was awake, lighting a candle from the pack his fingers moving over the note Nanami had given them.

“Are you okay?” Jun asked and Nino nodded handing him a sweet bread roll

“Yes Jun-sama… How many days will it take to get to my sister?” Nino asked coming back to his side. Jun swallowed the bread that was in his mouth and took the note

“Nanami has suggested that we do not travel by the main roads but surprisingly they live quite close, if they are no obstacles we should be there in no more than a day.”

“A day? It will take just a day to see my sister?” Nino whispered in bewilderment, “She lives so close… But…”

“She will be happy to see you, Kazu-kun…” Jun reassured him lightly before finishing off the bread roll. Although he wasn’t too happy about staying so close to the city during the night he could see the sense in not moving until daylight. The forest would be difficult to travel through by day at night it would be impossible. He looked at Nino, laughing to himself as he realised this was the most man like he had ever seen him. His face was decorated in mud instead of make-up and the rough clothes were that of a male servant, but even with all that there was something delicately beautiful about him.

“Jun-sama?” Nino murmured looking embarrassed under his gaze

“I was just thinking that even like this you are beautiful Kazu-kun…” Jun told him loving the way the blush deepened in the candle light. The night passed slowly at some point the candle burnt down and they fell into a dreamless sleep rest against each other as the birds woke so did they.

Last night it had seemed so easy but in the cold light of day, the journey no matter how short it was seem impossible. Jun refused to believe that though and after another quick meal of sweet bread and water they started out. Neither was suited for wondering through a forest, but after a few false starts and stumbles over branches they managed to set a fairly quick pace.

Jun used landmarks that Nanami had written to keep his bearings, the maid had done an amazing job accept at one point their path came dangerously close to the main road.

“Search over there!” A voice shouted and Jun pushed Nino to the floor covering him as much as he could with his body. Their heartbeats raced against their ribs and Jun had to fight to keep his arms and legs from giving small spasms out of nerves. Nino was shaking underneath him looking as if he was about to cry out in fear, Jun pressed their lips together as the sounds of feet came close towards them.

TBC

A/N: I hope you enjoy ^.^