DAISUKE
They met each other seven years ago when Daisuke was a young, novice cultivator who was fumbling with his words. He was a nervous teenager who had been appointed as one of the guards to protect the crown prince, he had hardly paid any attention to her then.
But things changed over the years, he went from a low-ranking guard to the Captain of the Prince's guards and she went from an apprentice to the main healer of the crown prince.
He sees her everyday whenever she comes to deliver the prince's food, his pills or medicines. He stands right outside prince's chambers. They smile and greet each other daily but Dai could only count handful of times they have actually had a conversation with each other.
It was agonizing to just see her and not to talk with her. He had tried, oh, he had definitely tried but when the moment comes the words just leave his mind and all he could do is just smile and see her walk away.
Megumi Saito, daughter of King's brother was a gentle soul with immense love for trees and plants. He had watched her all these years, her obsession with medicinal herbs. How she collects every variety of medicinal herbs she could find.
Dai could bet that nowhere in the realm would have such an extensive collection as the one she had developed. His own clan, the Ryuuga clan of Mount Haven known for their renowned healers around the realm doesn't have such vast varieties of herbs and plants as her collection.
"You know peeking at girls from behind the bushes is what stalkers would do." A melodic voice broke through him as he jerked and turned around.
"Asami." He spoke in a resigned voice, the last person whom he wanted to catch him like this.
"Don't Asami me Dai-kun, you have been in this mountain for three days now and not once have you came to meet us."
Asami puffed out angrily as she stared at Daisuke with a glare. Dai-kun was one of her childhood friends just like Misa. He used to babysit both of them and most of the time they trailed after him wherever he goes creating chaos.
Daisuke Ryuuga, was the eldest son of the Ryuuga clan one of the founding families of Mount Haven. Mount Haven was established by three families-
Tokugawa clan
Shimura clan
Ryuuga clan.
Heir of Tokugawa clan is usually appointed as the leader of the mountain, they maintain the administrative and political aspects of the sect.
Shimura clan takes over the law and order of the mountain. The patrol officers in many villages under the protection of Mount Haven like the Moya Lake town are headed by members from Shimura family.
Ryuuga clan members are born with affinity to healing, they are the healers of the sect. They are known throughout the realm for the medical expertise.
"Asami-chan, I am still on duty; I was planning to visit on my day off."
Daisuke moved towards her to give his imouto (younger sister) in all but blood a tight hug. Asami clutched him tightly as she breathed in the familiar scent. She had missed his aniki(brother) so much, ever since he had taken up the offer as the prince's guard she was seeing less and less of him.
Asami hated Dai-kun's father for pushing and forcing his hand, until he went away, now he was so far away from them, when his rightful place was in Mount Haven. It has been years since she saw him and he has grown bigger now, taller even.
Unlike his clan members who are healers, Dai-kun was a martial artist. They used to train together when they were children, Asami and Misa together had never been able to defeat him. By the looks of it he has grown more powerful now.
"Now back to your stalkerish behaviour, when are you actually going to tell her?" Asami asked rounding up on him.
Dai had no answer for that question, it was not something that he can pursue. He was an heir who has been banished by his father, he was a nobody now and not a suitable match for her. She deserves better than a tarnished cultivator who can't even go home.
"There's nothing to be done let it be." He spoke with the finality because he didn't want to continue any discussion about this.
Asami sighed sadly as she saw the burning emotions on her brother's face. She had been the live witness of the tragedy that was Daisuke Ryuuga's life. She wished; she could have done something to make his brother's life less miserable in the past.
"Now tell me how are you doing? How's Misa-chan? Are you both still getting into trouble." Dai asked diverting the topic.
"Trouble is the middle name for us, but it has been quiet few years. Training has been excruciating and mind-numbing. Other than that, everything is the same and we missed you every day."
That brought out the same old hearty smile that they all adored from him. How many years has it been since she has seen that carefree smile. Asami sighed as they both turned to look at the girl who was still collecting the herbs from the ground.
"I want to ask you something." Asami asked seriously after sometime. Sensing the tone of her voice, Dai became alert as he turned towards her.
"What can you tell me about the crown prince?" His eyes widened in shock as he heard the question from her.
"Why do you want to know about the crown price. Asami-chan, he is not a man to be involved with. Tell me you didn't do anything stupid." Dai had pleading tone in his voice as he asked her.
Asami almost had the idea of lying to him but she decided telling the truth was better, she could not deceive her brother.
"It was not me; he unleashed his killing intent on me, in my home aniki, my home. He may be the crown prince but this is not something that I can tolerate. He scared Bambi so much and nobody has humiliated me like this. I cannot sit back and roll over from this Dai-kun." She spoke with anger brimming in her tone.
Dai looked at her, he could already feel that she has set her eyes on getting revenge. He knows he cannot stop her; she is too stubborn for that. But he can do one thing, that is to make her understand that they are not on the same stand, Shinsuke Saito was on another level.
He stepped closer to her and clasped his hand over Asami's shoulder tightly and then spoke. "Listen to me Asami-chan, people are not exaggerating when they say he is dangerous. His strength level has increased tremendously and not many know about this but he has recently opened his 4th Gate."
Asami's eyes widened as Daisuke continued to speak. She knew the man was powerful but she didn't think he would be almost in par with Izumi onee-chan.
"This is not someone whom you can fight against, be smart. Let it be for now and be patient, you will get your opportunity someday wait for that. With the level you are in right now, you would not even make a difference."
Daisuke spoke seriously trying to save his sister from her imminent death because he knew if Asami were to issue a challenge, the crown prince wouldn't even blink twice to kill her, clan politics be damned. Asami wouldn't even stand a chance in the fight; it will be an utter defeat.
She looked at her brother who had a frown in his face, as she thought over what her brother has just said. She already knew that this man was powerful than her but opening the four Gates was the real shock. The man may be powerful enough to even kill her with just a snap of his finger but still the humiliation she suffered burnt her core.
She may not be able to defeat him in a direct challenge doesn't mean she is going to back off now. There are other ways to defeat a man, one way or another she will get her revenge. For now, she will reassure her brother, she will not look for a direct conflict.
Before they can continue their conversation, a soft voice interrupted them.
"Daisuke-san, what are you doing here?"
Both Asami and Dai turned towards the woman who was standing behind them. He looked at the smiling face which always brought a sense of calm and peace to him. He had known this girl for the past few years, yet still the shock he gets whenever he is this up close with her leaves him in a thrill.
He was lost in her serene smile that he almost forgot his propriety. A not-so-subtle cough from Asami brought his attention back to the reality.
Clearing his throat from his obvious embarrassment Daisuke bowed respectively to the girl.
"Akane-san, Ohayou gozaimasu. It's good to see you. This is my younger sister, Asami Shimura, daughter of Eisuke Shimura, head of Shimura clan of Mount Haven.
Asami this is Akane Saito, daughter of Shingoshi Saito, brother of his Majesty the King." Daisuke introduced both of them as they exchanged the greetings.
Looking at the basket full of herbs that she was carrying he asked her, "Are you going back to the Jade pavilion?" Jade pavilion was where the royal entourage were staying.
"Yes Daisuke-san, I have just completed my errands. Mount Haven is filled with rich ingredients, you are very lucky Asami-san to have access to these treasures." She spoke with a pleasant smile to Asami.
She had an immense knowledge on medicine, herbs and plants and the way she took care of them was something admirable. He could watch her all day tending to her gardens back in the palace.
"Yes, the mountain has an abundance of herbs, some of the rare herbs are found more towards the tip of the mountains but most of them are always covered in mist, so extraction is difficult but achievable."
Asami spoke with a proud tone in her voice. It was true though the mountain ranges of Mount Haven were a paradise for any healer or pill maker. Every type of herbs even some of the rare ones was available here.
"I will make sure to pay a visit before I go back, I must go now though. It was an honour to meet you, Asami-san." She spoke with a small smile on her face and she looked at Daisuke briefly before she turned and proceeded to walk away.
"Actually Akane-san, aniki (brother) was also going to the Jade pavilion, he can walk back with you. You wouldn't mind, would you?"
Asami spoke with a small teasing smile on her face as Akane halted in her steps. Hearing Asami, Daisuke's eyes widened as he snapped his eyes towards his sister in shock. Even Akane was surprised as she looked at him with a startled expression and a red hue was spreading across her cheeks.
Daisuke glared at his little sister, thinking of ways to end her but the little trouble maker was just giving him a wicked smile with eyes shining, promising more trouble.
"Yes, I would like that." Her calm voice broke Daisuke out of his trance as he looked towards Akane.
She had her eyes focused on the basket full of herbs with her hair almost fanning her face but still he could see they were alarming shades of red. He was frozen in his place as he looked at her beauty but a light jab from Asami made him to take a step towards her. He needs to stop spacing out.
"Shall we." He spoke indicating through his hands as both of them started to walk back. Asami looked at their retreating figures hoping this was a start of something good. His brother deserves all the happiness in this world and maybe that girl might be the one.
to be continued----------
I am making a character list to avoid confusions, I will try to upload it soon.