Fantasy Howl's Flying Castle (Finished! ---Whoo! (*＾▽＾)／)

[Katsuya]

Renee moved her head to where she heard Seifer's voice, her smile ever growing as she opened the luggage bag; folding clothes so she can tuck them in easily enough and still have space for his beauty kit and Sirius' toys. Yes, she remembers about the painting in his closet and it made her blush so red, it rivaled Echo's bright red hair that first time she touched it.

She appreciated the art, that's for sure.

"Hm. Sounds like we need to celebrate when we get back...What would you like to do, Sweetheart?" Renee asked as she searched around to find Sirius' toys. One of them jingled and she plucked that one first, tucking it in the luggage too. She leaned her head on his shoulder as she searched for another toy to put away.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Seifer and Renee's Home "​

'Hmm . . ." he leaned his head on top of hers. "It's been a while since we went dancing . . . I miss your beef steak, I want to celebrate by eating something you made, baby." said Seifer. "We can cook it together like that time when we were in Akihara and you taught me, James, and Lydia how to cook."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee perked up, her wings flapping happily. "Okay!" She's excited to dance and cook with Seifer again.

After finding another Sirius' toy and tucking it in the luggage, the Pendragon teen searched and found her love's hand. Intertwining her hand with his, she squeezed meaningfully and sighed. "...Seifer?" Renee hesitated, a bit of doubt came crawling in her tone. "A-are you sure you're...okay with me being ...blind?"

This has been something that stuck with Renee ever since she willingly gave up her sight. This little bit of insecurity and while she really appreciates everyone's support, it's...it made her wonder if she ever was a hindrance to her brother or her love. So once in a blue moon, she would ask Seifer just to make sure and hopefully have that insecurity go away.

"I-I know I've asked this before...but I just want to make sure..." He can see that she's clenching her closed eyes, a nervous habit.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Seifer and Renee's Home "​

"Are you happy?" said Seifer, holding her hand in both of his. He had paused in his packing. At first, last year when Renee gave up her sight, he had been devastated for her, wondering how was she to paint, do archery, and the things that she loved to do. It had amazed him how much she loved her brother. Personally he thought it should have been James' eyes that Ifrit should have taken away since it was his wish, and he told Renee that, asking why in the world would she do something like that.

When he learned it was because of that, because she loves his brother, Seifer didn't have anything to say. James didn't know of it, judging from his reaction. It was an important decision of Renee's so he was going to respect that, though he just wished that she told him about it first. He wondered why she didn't tell him, maybe because she knew he would discourage her. They were really different people, Seifer couldn't imagine doing anything like that except if it was for Renee or his mother. She must love James thaaat much.

It was actually touching. After that Seifer had been supporting her. She was always taking care of him, now it was his turn and it had been a new experience. He was so used to being pampered. It felt nice taking care of the one he loved, watching her rise up from her scary blindness and now she was about to start painting again. When she asked him that question for the first time, his honest answer had been no, since Renee looked scared not having her eyes. But as time wore on, he realized he had been thinking about what he wanted and not what Renee wanted, so every time she asked him this again, he would always ask her if she was happy or if she regretted her decision.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Immediately Renee nodded her head.

"Yes. I'm happy...but I worry that I'm...bogging you or James down." Gulping, she placed her other hand over his and softly rubbed with her thumb. "I don't want to keep you or him away from what you guys want to do and ... I'm getting impatient on learning things on my own so you guys don't have to worry about me anymore..."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Seifer and Renee's Home "​

"Renee, you're not bogging me down." said Seifer, chuckling. "I am raising my eyebrow." he held her hands. "I don't mind worrying about you, if you want me to stop helping, I'll stop, but baby don't ever believe that you're a burden." he said as though the idea was eyebrow-raising worthy. "It's as if you think we're not friends or something." A hand caressed Renee's face. "You're not keeping me from what I want to do. Farm stuff is boring for me, but I like helping you."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Comforted, Renee giggled when she heard his tone and mentioning about raising an eyebrow. Wrapping her arms around him, she leaned up and kissed him.

"We're more then friends. We're soulmates, companions, confidants...Thank you..." She squeezed his chest and nuzzled under his chin before leaving kisses on his shoulder and down to his heart; taking her time to leave her warms lips right where she can feel his heart pulsing. Her wings fluttered.

"I guess...I'm overthinking things again...but let me know if it gets too much for you, okay?" She's still worried but for now, the Pendragon can handle the feeling.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Seifer and Renee's Home "​

Seifer kissed her comfortingly, cradling her head as he hugged her. A hand caressed her wings as affectionately as she kissed his heart.

"The overthinking you is okay. And yeah, I'll tell you if it becomes too much. But, Renee, if you want to talk or ask me something, you can ask me, okay, baby?" He kept his arms around her waist, gazing at her kindly.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"Okay..." Renee muttered quietly, relaxed. "I will. Ask you, I mean."

She craned her head up a bit and fluttered her eyelids open as she smiled warmly. Still milky orange but just as expressive as her having her sight. So far the Pendragon teen only opened her eyes when she feels comfortable around the person and that person is usually Seifer. She rarely does that for the others, either because she feels self conscious or didn't want her friends to feel uncomfortable with how white her eyes looked.

"...I think we should pack a warm comforter in case we get cold." Renee pondered out loud, not leaving his arms; she's nuzzling into his clothes with her blushing pink cheeks. After finding all of the toys Sirius leaves for her to pack, she asked if there's anything else they should put in there. If there was, she somehow made it all fit inside and closed it without much issue.

"Ready to go?" She asked with a wide grin, standing up from her spot before; holding onto Seifer's hand while Mica chattered.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Seifer and Renee's Home "​

Soft lips kissed her nose. Beside them Renee could feel Sirius' joy. He had been quiet, he seemed to have been watching, and then snuggled up to join the hugging. He was too young to properly form the words, but he really liked it when his mama and papa were caring, and gave them both a lick.

"Yeah, I think it will get veeeery cold tonight. Or hot." Seifer hinted. He hugged Sirius too, chuckling that he wants hugs. He always wanted to join their hugs and turn them into family hugs.

When all was set, Seifer got the bag and enchanted it so that it shrunk and became a mini-luggage key chain around his belt. "Ready!"

After James was called, he said good bye to their father who watched them go, before turning the dial and setting foot into Chenglei and Kenren's home.

The two were upstairs in the attic drinking tea, and came down to welcome the group. Kenren was in ordinary clothes, something Seifer will never get. He was the emperor, he should be fancy. Kenren just chuckled at his remark saying that clothes don't make the emperor, they're just clothes.

He led them to the barn to show them Smoky, named by Tsumiki; Sirius didn't care much for foals and was just frolicking in the woods, missing this place; James looked at the little baby horse remarking about how amazing it was that in can walk already and engaged Chenglei in a conversation about what breed it was; Seifer was with Sirius, curiousity making him look at the foal for a moment before Sirius called him and he went with him to go exploring.

Kenren was talking animatedly about how healthy Smoky was and how she has this wobbly way of walking where her hind legs seemed to lag behind when she turned. He was excited to see her walk properly a few days from now and showed them the stall they prepared for her when she's grown up.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

When Sirius joined in the hug, Renee's wings flapped happily as she nuzzled into his fur and left loving kisses. Giggling as she squeezed her family together. At Seifer's hint, she giggled again, coyly shying away with a wing covering her smile. "O-hooo~! Then...I can't wait for tonight then."

After saying goodbye to her dad (hugging him tight) and arrived to Kenren and Chenglei's home, Renee greeted them with a hug too. She had her eyes closed again. Mica tilted his head haughtily before climbing down to ride on Sirius' back, similar to how he would ride on Renee's shoulders. He has gotten used to the energetic dragon and tended to be close to him whenever he was around. Everyone can hear Tsumiki chuckling from the kitchen, probably preparing tea again. Chenglei greeted them with ruffles on their head, still treating them like kids despite everything. "It's nice seeing you again. How is everyone?"

As they went outside and showed off Smoky, Chenglei, just as excitedly, answered all of James' questions about the young foal while Renee intently listened to Kenren, nodding a few times. "Stay safe you three!" She yelled out as she can hear Sirius crunching the dried leaves under his claws with Seifer's footsteps following after him.

When Kenren showed them the stall for the foal, Renee pushed on it and commented that it felt sturdy. Then while she hears James still talking with Chenglei, the Pendragon sister tugged on Kenren's sleeve or what she thought was a sleeve; it was actually his pants. She pointed somewhere that she hoped was a different area of their home and far from the blonde.

"So you wanted to speak about that thing? Of me helping you with something important?" Renee hinted quietly, wings fluttering excitedly.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Seifer and Renee's Home "​

"Chenglei's birthday, we're planning to make a katana string cake and go sky diving." said Kenren, glancing at where Chenglei was talking with James. "I still don't know what gift I'm going to give him too, what about you?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee tilted her head with a smile. "Katana string cake? Is the cake going to be covered in Katana strings or is going to be built up- Why am I asking that?" Her curiosity will never fade, will it?

"Hmmm...Well I was planning to paint something for him but I still don't know what yet..." She pondered for a moment. "...Maybe he would like something you make? Like make your own decorative katana string or perhaps a lotus bouquet? With Koi fishes- Oh! That's actually kind of cool to imagine...Koi fishes in water-filled bubbles and they're floating around with the place you guys celebrate in alone is lit up with a warm orange lanterns or candles and...and...Hmmmm..." She remembered seeing Chenglei's soulroom filled with lotus flowers and she wondered if that's his favorite. Same with the tons of wind chimes that were hung around the doors and windows.

"...Do you know if he likes wind chimes? Maybe he'd like one made by you?"

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Kenren Taisho -
" Chenglei and Kenren's Home "​

The emperor listened intently. "No, I don't know if he does." There was a pause . . . "I don't know how to make those things . . . hmm . . . alright, thanks, Renee. What made you say he probably likes wind chimes?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"It's okay if you don't know how to make them. There's studios that teaches people how to make them. I'm sure if you ask one of your shinobi, they will tell you where to find them or Tsumiki. She can tell you too since she knows the city." Renee chirped. Then she nervously giggled.

"Well...I took a peek in Chenglei's soul room long time ago...I remembered hearing and seeing glass wind chimes. They sounded pretty despite the...um...stormy skies." She cleared her throat. "They were decorated near the sliding doors and open windows. I assumed he really likes them if there were that many."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Kenren Taisho -
" Chenglei and Kenren's Home "​

The emperor sighed in relief, he was worried he might end up giving Chenglei a shabby looking present. When Renee mentioned his soul room, a hand was on her shoulder. "Why did he have stormy skies?" said Kenren immediately, concerned.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"Oh! Um...Well I'm pretty sure you took care of that."

Renee grinned as her cheeks turned pink. "Considering I heard the both of you dancing the passionate tango of nights in the middle of the day after he fainted...and in Awashima's Jade palace..." Her wings fluttered embarrassingly before covering her reddening cheeks with them.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Kenren Taisho -
" Chenglei and Kenren's Home "​

"D-don't talk about that!" said Kenren sounding flustered. "You don't talk about that in public." even though they were alone and secluded in this part of the Storm Wall. "Anyway, let's get back to Chenglei's party."

That night, Seifer and Renee slept in a spare room on the second floor with Sirius. It was a little hard, being careful not to wake him up, but her snuggle bunny was able to warm her up slow and good. It was different ever since Renee lost her sight. Seifer used to make her blush with his teasing dances, now they dance together and everything was now more of touch and subtle sensations, and a lot of hand kissing whenever Renee felt his face.

Meanwhile, in Chenglei and Kenren's room, the emperor was talking to him about that time in the Storm Wall when he got so angry at him and was asking if he was alright now about it. He had no idea it had caused a storm to brew in his soul, and he held his hand and apologized about how angry he was that time.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee raised an eyebrow when she heard Kenren's tone before giggling. "Alright. Alright." She swears that her friend is adorable. "Now about Chenglei's birthday..." The winged teen continued their conversation until they heard the blonde's little sister having tea made and ready.

The Pendragon teen squirmed as the room slowly heated up, staying quiet as she possible could so Sirius can sleep. Subtle touches on her sensitive skin made her twitch and she'd blushed whenever she felt Seifer's warm lips on her hands. Her own touches are curious and adventurous, seeing by tracing her fingertips and feel dips and angles. It's like she was studying him closely, having this need to know more; his tiny reactions, movements, and sounds. Whenever they danced together, her whole face and chest flushed as she left kisses. Her wings were ruffled, puffy, and frazzled but she was definitely warm and she made sure he was warm that night too.

Meanwhile Chenglei was surprised to hear what Kenren brought up while they talked, looking at the hand that held his as the emperor apologized. The blonde shook his head and leaned in to peck his forehead. "Ya were angry at bein' hurt and scared...I dun blame ya fur bein' dat angry and it's okay." He sighed at the memory, slightly uncomfortable with guilt twinging his chest. Now is not the time to feel bad about what has happened a year ago...

"We talked an' made up. I dun kno' if my soul is still brewin' a storm or if it's a sunny day but I kno' I'm happy wit' ya right now." Chenglei pulled their hands up and kissed Kenren's hand before nuzzling it with his cheek. "...If...If ya wan' tuh kno' fur sure...we can ask Renee tuh let ya visit my soul room."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Kenren Taisho -
" Chenglei and Kenren's Home "​

Kenren relaxed, reassured, as he absently caressed Chenglei's back.

"Alright . . . In the future, though, if I make you sad with my anger, and I want to make it up to you . . . How do I that without apologizing, Chenglei?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Chenglei raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Ken'en, if ya want tuh make up wit' someone, ya say 'I'm sorry' or whoever ya want to make up with, won't get it." The blonde wondered if no one actually taught Kenren how to apologize while he grew up. Considering his background and how he reacted towards the simplest of things like it's the most interesting item he's ever seen; Chenglei had to say...yea, Kenren grew up without knowing a lot of social norms.


Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Kenren Taisho -
" Chenglei and Kenren's Home "​

"But you don't want me to apologize if I got angry. Because being angry the way I was, is okay?" said Kenren slowly, not getting Chenglei's reply. "How do I make it up to you, without apologizing if I got angry like that or hurt you with my anger?"'

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"Okay, I need tuh start over 'ere." Chenglei chuckled, nuzzling his cheek on Kenren's.

"When I said 'I dun blame ya fur being angry', dat's me understanding why ya got angry at me. I nevah said I dun want ya tuh apologize if ya hurt me when ya 're angry. I do. I want tuh hear it. I want tuh kno' if ya really do feel bad or not."

"Just lik' how ya want tuh kno' if I'm okay just now. I would tell ya because I want ya to kno' how I feel. So ya wouldn't second guess ya-self and stress out. It's part of communicating. Ya being angry is another way of communicating. It lets meh kno' dat ya are hurtin' too...but if we dun talk about it, dat hurt will get worse ovah time and...and we'll start avoidin' each otha because of not talkin'..." If Kenren didn't want to talk, Chenglei wouldn't force him to, but he doesn't know when he does want to talk unless he says it. He's not a mind reader. The only magic he knows is transformation magic and the magic from Kurosaki. That's it. Other then that, he's just a regular person.

Then again...Chenglei supposed it isn't healthy to hold in everything and hope for the best either...because that only made him sick...

"...Ken'en, if ya evah want tuh kno' somethin', please ask meh. I'll do da same wit' ya." Chenglei asked quietly, tucking a strand of his hair behind his round ear.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Kenren Taisho -
" Chenglei and Kenren's Home "​

Kenren nodded after listening closely. "Alright, I will." he held the hand that tucked his hair and kept it on his cheek. He smiled. "I get it more now, so, we'll just be honest with each other." it made him wonder if he's been honest with Chenglei all this time. It seemed that the most they talked about was about the war, about their surroundings . . . it's been a while since they talked about their relationship with each other.

Kenren looked into Chenglei's ash purple eyes, pondering if there is something he wants to say to him, laying bare his heart. "Oh, Chenglei, there is something I want to know, am I controlling?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

He tilted his head, his grin softened up into a flat line and shook his head. "No. If ya were, ya wouldn't be concerned about givin' meh space while I was...depressed...or asked meh tuh get a break or even ask..." Bad memory, he winced a bit from the sting in his chest. "If ya think ya were controllin' during our separation in da war, den no. Ya had to demand dat out of yur men an' I'm yur guard...of course ya have tuh demand dat from meh. I signed up fur it since we were kids."

Chenglei didn't look away, staring right back at him. Renee told him before that the eyes is a window to the soul...if that's true then, Kenren should see that he's telling the truth. "...Why did ya want to be back togetha wit' meh? After all dat time of not talkin' tuh me unless it's war related or if ya needed a task tuh be done and I had tuh come wit ya...why den in the Jade palace?"

He was curious now that he thought about it. All Kenren told him was that Princess Mia wasn't odd enough for him to be odd. He never told him why he wanted to get back together and risk what the deceased emperor wanted from Kenren.

Zer0