Yuuro and Ruki

Ruki wandered over the young paths, glancing at all the young plants that were losing their leaves to prepare for the upcoming winter. Taira saw her daughter sniff at all the plants she had never seen before and look in amazement how the trees became completely naked. Her Ruki… her wonderful daughter. Never in a million lifetimes had Taira dared to hope to find her daughter on their journey to Kin, and yet here she was, alive, breathing and enjoying their lovely castle garden.

The past two weeks they had taken Ruki on several trips throughout the country. They had showed her the older castle where Ivy now lived; they had let her meet several ponies and shown her the villages and towns of this country. Taira had never left her daughters side during these days. She wanted to take in all of her daughter’s emotions and expressions like the earth taking in the rain. She did not want to miss anything anymore.

Ruki had enjoyed everything so much; she had met so many ponies and everyone had been delighted to meet her. They had shown her how ponies lived, how the crops were harvested, how they made special furniture, an old lady had shown her how to decorate pots in the old way of the Friendship Lands. Ruki had commented again and again how different everything was from the west, but that was not an insult; she enjoyed seeing how things could be done differently.

Behind her, Frika stirred. Taira instantly turned and noticed Frika had moved in her sleep which had caused her blanket to fall next to her. Taira picked it up and covered her baby daughter again, making sure little Frika was properly tucked in. The days were getting colder, and she wanted to be absolutely sure Frika was comfortable.

How strange it was, Taira thought, to realize only now how precious Frika was. Her baby girl… how could she ever have not wanted her? How could she have ever not felt connected to this precious little girl? For days on end after they had arrived back home, Taira had been so angry with herself, wondering why she had not been able to love her daughter for what she was without having Ruki around.

But then one day, as she watched Ruki talk with some villagers about that year’s harvest, it hit her that that was exactly the opposite of what was happening. She had longed for Ruki so much, she had never been able to appreciate Frika for what she was; all she saw was the little girl who was not Ruki. But now that she had met Ruki, Taira had realized she loved Frika exactly because of that; she was her second daughter, an independent individual.

Looking at her sleeping girl, Taira could not help but wonder what kind of person Frika would grow into. Would she take after Fjaril or after her? What food would she like, what would her favourite colour be, what would she dream of at night? There were so many things Taira was curious about, and Taira would be there to learn them all, one by one.

Wandering through the garden, Ruki appreciated the calmness of the castle. After meeting so many ponies and visiting so many villages, she enjoyed the quiet area the castle was located in. her mother and grandmother had already explained to her it would not remain this way; there would be villages and farms here, too, but for now, she was grateful they were not there yet.

Therefore, when she heard hoofsteps behind her, Ruki was initially disappointed; she was enjoying the peace and quiet so much; she did not want to see anyone yet.
“Hey there, Ruki.” She heard a men’s voice say and she was relieved to see Yuuro behind her.
“Hey there, Yuuro.” She greeted him.
“What are you doing out here? Enjoying the beautiful flowers and lush green trees?”

Ruki laughed. “No, not really. I just wanted to get out for a bit. I’ve seen so many new ponies and places the past few weeks, I could not help but look for some peace and quiet.”
Yuuro had not come with her to see the rest of the country, as he had already seen it anyway and her grandmother had asked for his help in arranging an agreement with Kin.

“And, do you like it? The Friendship Lands?”
“Yes, I do. It’s lovely. I mean, compared to the West everyone is so poor… but they’re all so happy. They’re grateful for what they have. It’s amazing. I just…”
“Just what?” Yuuro asked when Ruki did not finish her sentence.
“I just wish I could explore it on my own. I mean, not alone or anything, but so far all I’ve been doing is going to places my mother told me to go.

And I don’t mind that- I really don’t. She knows the country, and I don’t. It’s great to see everything and being guided- she knows so much of this country even though Taira herself has not lived here for that long! She really, really cares about it. But, you know, I’d also like to explore it a bit on my own- discover the things I might find important and meet ponies without being introduced as the heir’s daughter.”

“Well, why don’t you?” Yuuro asked her.
“Well, for starters I don’t know the way at all here. I’d get lost in a minute.” Ruki stated as she walked on through the garden, nearing the castle walls. She could hear the water of the moat on the other side touching the wall as the wind pushed it.
“I’ll come with you. I’m no expert, but I know the way here a little bit. We’ll go wherever you want to go. What do you say?”

Ruki gazed at Yuuro, wondering if he was serious or not. Well, she had nothing else to do today…
“Sure, why not.” She said at last, and Yuuro smiled.
 “Cool! Let’s go then!” He turned and dashed towards the gate. Ruki soon followed and but a moment later they were galloping over the meadows in front of the castle, not looking back.

Only when they reached the forests’ edge did they stop, both laughing.
“Do you think anyone saw us?” Ruki asked, feeling a bit mischievous.
”I don’t know. Does it matter?”
“No, I guess not.” Ruki replied.
“Well, where do you want to go?” Yuuro asked after they both caught their breath.

“Hmmm… that way!” Ruki said, pointing at a vague path that would lead them deeper into the woods.
“I… don’t think there’s anything there.” Yuuro remarked.
“Hey, am I allowed to decide where I want to go or not?” Ruki asked, mildly offended. Yuuro could not help but laugh.
“Of course. If that’s where you want to go, my lady, then that is where we will go.” He bowed, and Ruki chuckled.

They trotted off in the direction Ruki had pointed to. The road led them deeper into the woods, and it became less and less of a road the deeper in they went. The barks of the trees grew darker and their leaves blocked out any remaining sunlight, leaving them almost in the dark. Still, the road went on and as they got deeper Ruki became more and more determined to figure out what lay at the end of the road.

“Ruki, are you really sure? I mean, I’m not even sure this is a road anymore.” Yuuro objected as they had to jump over a fallen tree.
“I’m sure.” She said and walked on, ignoring the boy’s deep sigh. Deeper and deeper into the forest they went, and at some point Ruki was amazed that they were still in the forest at all. It didn’t look this big from the castle tower. As the sun was not visible, she had lost all sense of direction. Silently she hoped they would be able to make their way back.

And then, the forest was gone and they both stood in an open clearing, surrounded by trees on every side. The green grass was covered with yellow, brown and red leaves that had fallen from the trees in the autumn breeze. In the middle of the clearing stood a wooden house, deserted and forgotten over time. Its roof was all but gone and the door had disappeared, but the stone walls were still standing.

“I don’t think your family build this…” Yuuro whispered.
“I don’t think so either. This is old.” Ruki agreed. “Shall we go check it out?” She asked, and Yuuro agreed. They walked to the house and when she was closer, Ruki could see the various cracks in the walls and the faint traces of white paint still clinging to the stones. The entire building smelled like dirt, as if the earth was slowly taking back what was hers.

“White paint… The Tokowa lands always paint their buildings white… or at least they used to. It was their tradition.” Yuuro said.
“Tokowa uh… wasn’t that the country that gave this land to my grandmother, so they could start anew?” Ruki asked as she entered the building.
“Yea, it was. I guess they build this then. I wonder why. I never heard of them actually living in this part… it was deserted, that’s why they gave it to Regina.” Yuuro pondered.

As there was no roof left, the inside of the building was bright and lit by the sun. There was no furniture left. In its place grew plants and weeds. They were crawling up the walls as if they were trying to tear them down. “There’s nothing left…” Ruki whispered. “A place forgotten…”
Below the grass on the ground she could feel stones that were once the floor of the building.

“It’s not very big. Maybe it was just a guard post. Or an observation house.” Yuuro proposed.
“A guard post in the middle of a forest?” Ruki chuckled.
“Okay, maybe not. Who knows then?”
“Well, I like it. So mysterious… a little place forgotten by time. Maybe it would never have been found if we didn’t go out today. Isn’t that a fun thought?” Ruki smiled as she walked out of the little house.

She gazed at all the colours of the trees that surrounded the house. Some were still so green, while others were already barren and ready for the winter.
“This is what I like about this country.” Yuuro said as he came standing next to her.
“What is?”
“This… the colours, the mysteries, the softness of nature. Back in Kin… everything is rougher. There are so many rocks and stones, and the trees that we do have do not grow leaves but needles instead. Here, things are softer, sweeter… more beautiful.”

Ruki gazed at Yuuro and felt she was blushing as she realized he was talking to her.
“Will you stay here?” She asked him.
“I don’t know. I hope so. But that is not for me to decide… only your family can. Well, and my mother would have to approve I guess. I am a son of the queen of Kin. But seeing how happy she is with her two sons…”

“What if I asked you to stay? Would that count?” Ruki blushed again. What on earth was she saying? She quickly faced away.
“I guess it would. Seeing how you are the princess… no, even if you were not, it would count.” She could feel his warm smile, even when facing away, and she slowly turned around to face it. There it was, and it warmed her up inside like a hot cup of chocolate on a dark and cold winter night.

“Then… Yuuro, would you like to stay here in the Friendship Lands?” she asked.
“Of course.” He smiled.
“Now, where do you want to go? Even deeper in the forest?” Ruki gazed at the sky, and she noticed it was already getting rather late. Within an hour or two, it would definitely be dark already, and she did not want to make her family worry about her. She was sure they would.

“I think it’s time for us to go home.” She said.
“Okay. Lead the way.” Yuuro said. Ruki stepped forward, looking for the path they had walked on to get there. Yet all she saw were trees, bushes, and more trees. There was no path.
“What?” she said as she trotted towards the edge of the clearing. “It’s gone!” she gasped.

Yuuro laughed behind her.
“What’s so funny?” She asked as she trotted by the trees, looking for the path.
“Maybe it would be easier if you looked at the proper side. We left the building through the back door.” He teased her.
“Why you!” Ruki yelled and dashed towards him. Yuuro quickly ran away towards the path on the other side, and together they ran through the forest, making their way home.