writetomyheart | [Team Three] Intrigue

Me after reading "The Hand, The Eye, & The Heart" by Zoe Marriott: writes over 1000 words on ancient army AU. 😂

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Right before his eyes, was the beautiful face of Kyomoto Taiga of the House of Eastern Rivers. A rumour floated through the army that all the members of that house were women parading as men, chosen by their skill in swordplay. Different from the common folk they had to share campgrounds with; where every able bodied boy over 15 years of age were sent off for army training, regardless of prior knowledge or skill in swordsmanship.

There was very little basis for that rumour other than the fact that every member of that house seemed to be so beautiful but it wouldn't hurt to be courteous, Hokuto thought. They were all of higher social standing than he was anyway.

"After you," Hokuto offered, letting Kyomoto pass through the narrow entranceway leading out of the dining hall.

The latter scowled at him, eyes darkening monumentally as his brows cast a shadow over his sharp eyes. Hokuto could not understand what he did wrong.

"What?" Kyomoto snapped. "Not gonna complete that sentence with 'ladies first'? It's written all over your face; you think I'm a woman," he snarled the last few words.

Hokuto blinked. "N-no, of course not!" Denying that he did briefly entertain that possibility. How could he not, with Kyomoto's sharp pointed chin, slender neck, and gracefully long fingers?

The fair soldier rolled his eyes in response. His hand grabbed Hokuto by the shoulder and shoved him outside before he stepped out behind him.

“I’ll show you how ‘feminine’ I can be!” Kyomoto spat, tossing a practice sword from the rack into Hokuto’s hands, grabbing one for himself. He circled Hokuto like a bee, ready to pounce at any moment.

Poor Hokuto had no choice but to play along. He hadn’t meant to cause any offence, but when rich and powerful people got worked up, there was little that could convince them to walk the other way. He could always let the other win, but he knew that the other soldier would be even more offended. He squared his shoulders, taking on a defensive stance.

Kyomoto charged in from his left, aiming to stab Hokuto in the gut. Kyomoto was quick to realise that his left was not his dominant hand, but Hokuto knew better than to let it be his weakness. He pulled his left foot back, pivoting his body so it was out of harm’s way, then with a swift flick of his wrist, his sword deflected the other’s, pushing it up and away from his body.

A novice would’ve lost their sword from the force of the impact but Kyomoto was no novice. What he did lose though, was his balance. The beautiful soldier stumbled and hopped backwards on one foot, before he spun around to try and surprise Hokuto with a strike to his right. It seemed almost like he was dancing.

Hokuto parried it at the last minute, only inches before it whacked into his side. The corner of Kyomoto’s lips tugged upwards to form a mocking, lopsided smile. “You’re pretty good,” he praises. “But not as good as me” his smile seemed to say.

“Thanks,” Hokuto grunted in reply, straining from the effort of pushing Kyomoto back.

Their swords unlocked and Kyomoto began a series of successive blows; left, right, left, right, then left again. It took all his concentration to block each hit, and Hokuto admired his tenacity. He held more strength in that slender frame than expected.

Finally, Kyomoto drove him back far enough to have the opportunity to lunge in with another stab. With his speed, Hokuto was sure he’d be struck this time. But then the unexpected happened; Kyomoto tripped and within another blink, he was flat on the ground.

He couldn’t believe his luck. He poked the other gently on his back. “I win?”

A face flushed red with shame turned to scowl at him. “Don’t you dare laugh!”

A peal of laughter interrupted the both of them. Kyomoto whipped his head around to glare condescendingly at whoever had the audacity to mock him.

For the first time, Hokuto noticed the crowd of spectators that had gathered to watch, and the one laughing was none other than Kawashima Noeru, the leader of Kyomoto’s house. “That’s the most Taiga thing I’ve seen you do all day,” he teased the other fondly. Him and another soldier, Hokuto recognized him as Michieda Shunsuke, walked up to the fallen soldier and picked him off the ground.

“Sorry for his behaviour,” the leader apologized. “You know the rumour that we’re the House of women? This poor soul just caught wind of it today.”

“What’s wrong with being mad about that?!” Taiga glowered. “We’re just as capable if not better!”

Kawashima rubbed him on the back consolingly, almost in a motherly manner. “There there, now. There are better times to prove yourself. And I’m sure everyone acknowledges our skill already.”

“It’s better to let your frustrations out, though!” Michieda chimed in. “Thanks for humouring him,” he added, acknowledging Hokuto. The two of them took a bow and dragged Kyomoto off back to their camp, leaving Hokuto alone in the dispersing circle of onlookers.

That was their first real interaction. But from that day, Hokuto noticed the other’s gaze upon him more frequently. He partially expected Kyomoto to hold a grudge against him but with the lack of a frown on his face, he was optimistic enough to believe that maybe he had gained the other’s respect.

Days passed and their expedition continued. They fought many small skirmishes with bandits and other disorganized riff raffs. It was during one of those fights that he found himself face to face with the beautiful soldier again.

“You again?” he said.

“Kyomoto,” Hokuto greeted him.

It seemed as though he was about to greet him back but his instincts distracted him. He spun around just in time to catch a blade aimed for his back. He parried it and dealt a killing blow, his sword stabbing his opponent in the heart.

He turned back to Hokuto a little too quickly, and stumbled, almost falling flat on his face again, but this time he caught himself, albeit a few steps too close to Hokuto than he preferred. Hokuto reached out his hand to steady him and their gazes locked for a few long seconds.

“Your balance has improved,” Hokuto commented dumbly, giving him an encouraging smile, a little awestruck by this turn of events to do much else.

“Oh shut up!” he let out, as he nudged Hokuto away. “Stay safe, Matsumura.” he said softly. His gaze flickered back to Hokuto briefly before he ran off. He knows my name, Hokuto thought, a small burst of glee warmed his chest.

The rest of the battle passed in a blur. Their opponents were no match for a trained army of soldiers, and the remaining numbers gave up the fight and fled.

In the evening, when they were setting up camp, he met the other again. This time, Kyomoto meant for it to happen. Grabbing Hokuto by the wrist, he dragged him away to a quiet spot near the edge of the camp.

“Are you okay?” Hokuto asked, genuinely concerned.

“Yes! N-no I mean… ahh damn it!” the other stuttered trying to say what he meant.

Hokuto watched his expression, gaze flickering about the other’s pretty face, trying to guess what he wanted to say.

Kyomoto let out a sigh, his shoulders sagged in defeat. With one determined look, he walked up to Hokuto and kissed him on the lips.

Shivers ran across Hokuto’s skin and his body seemed to crackle with nerves and excitement. “What?” he managed to ask when they parted.

“Actions always came easier to me than words,” Kyomoto confessed with a shrug.

Hokuto blinked. He wasn't really sure what he expected or what he thought about this turn of events, but he liked the thrill, the rush that ran through him just then and he craved for more.

His hand cupped the back of Kyomoto's neck and pulled him in for another kiss. The smacking of lips as they parted sounded so dirty, it excited him further.

Kyomoto’s eyes glimmered with hope before it slowly flickered into doubt and insecurity. He sighed, resting his forehead on Hokuto’s shoulder. "Please don't end it by telling me that you have a girl waiting for you at home."

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defiancebyfire, it's your turn!