Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Trigun Fan Fiction / Utena, Revolutionary Girl Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Tales of a 1001 Nights ❯ The Wondering King Part 1 ( Chapter 6 )
The Wondering King (Part 1)
All Inuyasha and Utena disclaimers apply!
"Lady Rin, Lady Kagome would like you have tea with her, at her chamber. Sango said to her.
"Who is Lady Kagome?" Rin asked.
"She is the wife and mate of the king's younger brother Inuyasha." Sango answered.
Rin decided to accept the invitation and went to Lady Kagome's chamber. Rin knocked on the door. Lady Kagome opened it and said "Lady Rin, I've looked forward to meeting you since my husband and I came to your husband's palace today."
Rin felt welcomed by Lady Kagome's smile. She entered the room and told her "Lady Kagome you address me as Rin. Could you tell me about your husband? I never knew that my lord husband had a brother."
"You can also address me as Kagome. I'm not that surprised that your husband didn't mention Inuyasha to you. Though none of Sesshomaru's wives lived long enough to know." Kagome answered.
During the tea, Kagome told Rin about Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's relationship. She told her how they got along. Kagome also told Rin about how she met Inuyasha and about where she came from. Rin told her about how she managed to stay alive this long. She also told Kagome how she became Sesshomaru's wife.
Later that night, Sesshomaru noticed that Rin was in a very good mood. "It seems that you've had a very good day today." He said to her.
"Yes I did, my lord husband. I had tea with your younger brother's wife Lady Kagome. She and I enjoyed each other's company." Rin replied.
Sesshomaru escorted Rin to the sofa where she had been telling her tales for over a year. As always, Sesshomaru sat next to her. He was glad that his brother's wife and mate had taken a liking to Rin. He decided that he wasn't going to let Rin know this.
"Many years ago in Kyoto was ruled by a very powerful and wealthy king. His name was Touga and he was a very handsome young man."
"Of course he was not as handsome as you are, my lord husband." Rin said, sensing Sesshomaru's jealously. She then resumed telling her tale.
"Touga had long crimson red hair and sapphire blue eyes. He had everything that his throne could give him except for one thing. That was a queen to share his heart and throne. All the maidens that were presented to him as candidates, did not suit him. These maidens were very beautiful but he did not love them. Also, he knew that they did not love him and only wanted to marry him for his wealth and power. His ideal maiden was one that would love him for not because he was the king but for himself."
"The king had enough of these phony maidens. Since his beloved city and advisors couldn't provide him a bride, he had decided that he would travel all through Japan to find her. He left the ruling of his kingdom to his good friend Saionji."
"He did not travel as a king. Touga disguised himself as a wonderer. He traveled alone and on foot. Touga had traveled to many cities and villages but still he could not find a maiden that would suit him. His good looks did not go unnoticed. Every place he had visited the maidens would gather around him. Because they thought that Touga was just a wonderer, none of them stayed around him very long."
"One day, Touga had just finished eating dinner when he heard a scream. It was in the direction of the woods. Thinking that someone was being robbed by bandits and he wasn't too far from the woods, Touga ran in that direction."
"When Touga got in the woods and the site where he heard the scream, he was surprised by what he saw. Instead of someone being robbed, Touga saw a very beautiful maiden on the ground. She was wearing men's clothing. She had long pink hair and crystal blue eyes. Touga's heart skipped a beat. 'She's the most beautiful maiden that I've ever saw.' He thought."
" 'My lady are you alright?' Touga asked her. He saw that she was a little frightened but was trying to hide it. To comfort her some he said 'You don't need to be frightened of me. I have no intent of harming you. By the way my name is Touga. As you can see I'm just a wonderer and I was nearby when I heard you scream. I ran to find out what is was and that's how I found you.'"
"The maiden had no choice but to accept Touga's help. His words did give her some comfort. 'At least he's not out to rob or rape me.' She thought. 'I was riding my horse in the woods and I fell off while I jumping the hedge. I tried to get up but I can't. I think that I sprained my ankle. If you could get my horse and put me on it, I would greatly appreciate it. I can ride to my home, on my own.' She said to Touga."
"Touga saw that the horse wasn't too far from where the maiden had fallen. He walked towards the horse, grabbed it by the reigns and walked him to where she was. He let go of the reigns and walked towards the maiden. He looked at her feet and saw that her left foot was bruised and swollen. He took off her sandals and she winced in pain when he took off the left one. Touga picked her up and gently put her on the horse. He then took the reigns and asked 'Will you tell me how to get to your home? I will take you and your horse there. You are in no condition to go back on your own. Also, will you tell me your name? I would like to know whom I am helping.'"
" ' Tenjou Utena and I don't need anymore help from you.' She said with contempt. Utena was stunned when Touga, with the reigns still in his hand, started walking."
" 'Lady Utena will you tell me how to get to your home, or else we will be walking in these woods for awhile.' Touga said to her. Utena reluctantly relented since Touga wasn't going away and her ankle was really starting to hurt. She gave him the directions but said nothing more to him."
"While he was walking Utena to her home, Touga thought 'She isn't like the other maidens that I have seen or known. I think that I'll stay in this village and get to know her and her family a little better. She may be the bride that I've been searching for.'"
"When they got to Utena's home, Touga saw that it was more like a small palace. He saw a man coming towards them. The man had white hair and the same color eyes that Utena had. When they a few feet from him, Touga stopped. He picked Utena off the horse and had her in his arms. He carried her to the man, bowed to him and said 'Lord Tenjou, your daughter Lady Utena was riding in the woods and fell off of her horse. She has possibly sprained her ankle. I heard her scream and found her. I found her horse and placed her on it and brought her to you.'"
" 'My daughter was probably jumping again. I don't like her doing it but I can't stop her. I thank you for finding her and bringing her home. If I know my daughter well, she didn't take too kindly to your help. By the way, what is your name?' Lord Tenjou said to Touga."
"Touga introduced himself to Lord Tenjou. Touga carried Utena into the house and placed her in her chamber. Lord Tenjou had one of his servants get the doctor."
"Utena was laid up for a few weeks, with her ankle. Lord Tenjou had insisted that Touga stay at his home. Touga accepted and offered his services as a bodyguard to Utena. Much to Utena's annoyance, Touga visited her once a day."
"Utena was back riding when she fully recovered. 'Do you have to follow me everywhere I go? Touga, you're starting to get on my nerves!' She said to Touga while trying to lose him."
" 'Chasing her is more fun that going on a royal hunt.' Touga thought while he was going after her. He finally caught up with her. Utena gave up in despair. They turned around, brought the horses to a walk and headed home. 'Lady Utena, I commend you on your riding. In my travels, I have never seen any maiden and very few men ride like you.' Touga said to her."
" 'Thank you… You ride pretty well yourself. You're the first person that has been able to keep up with me but your good looks aren't going to get you anywhere with me.' Utena replied. She couldn't help blushing when Touga complimented her."
"Touga did see her blush. He smiled and thought 'She's one feisty maiden. I kind of like her when she is like that. I would love to spend the rest of my life with her. It will take a lot of patience and persistence to win her.'"
"A month later, Lord Tenjou hosted a party. It was in honor of the village's 100 years of existence. The village was founded and ruled by Utena's family. Despite Utena's protests, Lord Tenjou insisted that Touga escort her to the party. 'Father, why does Touga have to escort me to the party? He's not my husband nor am I betrothed to him.' She said to him."
"Lord Tenjou replied 'That is because he is your bodyguard and it will look like you have a suitor. Also, he is the first man you can't get rid of no matter how hard you try.'"
"Touga met Utena just outside the room where the party was taking place. He was taken aback when he saw her. Utena was wearing a lavender kimono with pink sakura blossoms. He bowed to her and said 'Lady Utena you look like a regal queen tonight.'"
"His compliment made Utena blush. He then took Utena by the arm and escorted her in the room. Lord Tenjou was already there and the party was well underway. When Utena and Touga entered the room, everyone there thought that they were a pleasant looking couple. 'I guess I'll have to be nice to him tonight or else I'll have those stupid suitors all over me.' Utena thought. For the first time, that night Utena was kind to Touga and the two of them did enjoyed themselves."
"In the mid-summer, a visitor came to the Tenjou household. He was a blue haired and blue eyed young man. He was from a village nearby and was a childhood friend of Utena's. 'Miki… It's been awhile since I last saw you!' Utena said when she saw him. She ran and gave him a hug. Touga looked at them jealously. He walked down to where they were. When she saw him, Utena said 'Miki this crimson haired gentleman was a wonderer that my father hired as my bodyguard. His name is Touga.'"
"Touga bowed to Miki. Miki could have sworn that he had seen Touga before. He wondered if , even if it was long shot, was the King of Kyoto. He had seen him while his family was in Kyoto. Miki wanted to find if Touga was that king or not. He decided to wait to get Touga alone to find out the truth."
" 'May I have a word with you?' Miki asked Touga."
"He replied 'Yes, Lord Miki. Since wall have ears, why don't we go to the garden?' Miki and Touga walked out of the house and into the garden."
" 'You didn't have to bow to me, nor address me as Lord Miki; your highness.' Miki said to him."
"Touga was shocked that Miki knew his true identity. He asked him 'How did you know? I thought that I disguised myself well.'"
" 'Last spring, my family went to Kyoto. While there, I met the king. He had the same name as you and also looked like you. You may look like a wonderer but your manners and speech are those of a nobleman.' Miki told him."
"It took Touga awhile to remember when he met Miki and his family. 'You were the one with the look alike twin sister.' I also remember that your sister was presented to me as a possible wife. Like the others, I didn't accept her. He told him."
"Well, she wasn't hurt when you rejected her. She recently got married. I'd like to know why you left Kyoto and why you are here?' Miki replied."
"He answered Miki's questions. He asked Miki of what he know about Utena. Miki told him about what he knew of the Tenjou family and of Utena."
"Miki had stayed most of the summer. Shortly after the had left, Utena and Touga went for a long ride. Utena was used to Touga's presence. She was also no longer annoyed by it. They had become good friends. Touga wished that Utena would want more than friendship from him and prayed daily to the gods for this."
"When they were several miles out, it started to rain. Utena and Touga saw that it was a drizzle. However Utena said 'I think that we should head back home before this rain gets any worse.' Touga agreed with her, they turned the horses around and headed for home."
"They were halfway home when the rain got worse. It went from a drizzle to a heavy downpour. 'There is no way we can make it home in this. Let's find some shelter and wait till it stops. Then we'll head home.' Touga suggested."
"Utena nodded her head in agreement. They rode out a few feet when it started to thunder. Utena's horse got very frightened when he heard it. Utena tried to calm the horse down. It did not work. When the horse heard the thunder again, he rose his front legs. He also threw Utena off and ran away, in another direction."
"Touga saw Utena's horse run off. He also saw that she wasn't on it. He franticly looked for her. Utena was unconscious when Touga found her. Touga got off of his horse and picked her up. He got back on his horse with Utena still in his arms. He rode off to find shelter for the two of them."
"It was almost nightfall when Touga found some shelter. It was a small house. Touga knocked on the door. After waiting for a few minutes, he opened the door and let himself and Utena in. There was no light and no one in the house. He found a futon and placed Utena on it. He then checked to see if she was alive. Touga found that she was and thank the gods. Touga found some wood and placed it in the fireplace. He then lit it. Touga then went to Utena and…"
"Damn it Rin! Can't you ever finish one of your tales in one night!? Of course I will let you live another day so I can find out what happens next." Sesshomaru said to Rin when she stopped.
Rin laughed and replied "If I had told the tale in one night, then you would not have enjoyed it as much. Also, the other reason why I stopped was because I thought that you were tired."
"Thank you for your concern of me, as always." He replied.
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Here's to another chapter done! Utena and Touga are my favorite couple, even though they are not an official one. So I did enjoy working on this chapter. At the same time writing this tale as a challenge. That was because I couldn't find a tale that would suit them. I was thinking of using one of my friends' fics and got consent for it but I changed my mind and wrote my own tale.
I don't know what Utena's father's first name is nor what he looks like. So Utena fans please be kind to me on that.
I'm glad that mostly everyone likes this fic so far. To date in ff.net, this is my most reviewed fic. I can't mention the name of those who have review recently due to my computer trouble. I thank everyone that has taken the time to read and review it.