Taira and Yuuro

“The stars shine bright tonight.”
“They shine bright every night.” Taira replied.
 She could see where Yuuro was coming from, though. Somehow it was as if the stars shone extra bright tonight, to celebrate that they would be home tomorrow. Home... a place Taira longed for and a place she dreaded to return to.

Her daughters... after everything that had happened, she longed to hold them once again. Her little Frika, her strong Ruki... She wanted to be there for them now. She just couldn't forget the sight of the little Meran, crying for her mother who would never come to read her a story again, who would never wash her or cook her food... But on the other hand, so many duties awaited her when she got back that she didn't even know where to begin.

They had set out two days after the funeral. They had helped Kiyoi a little bit, but soon enough they had realized that Kiyoi rather wanted to be left alone. He didn't dislike them... but their presence only remembered him of what had happened, and he had to move on now. He had to, for his daughters, but also for himself. He would never forget Twinkle Star... but life didn't stop at her death. Even deep within his grief, Kiyoi seemed to realize this.

So they had retreated to the village where they had rested one day before setting out. Home was waiting for them, and she was not the only one longing for those who had stayed behind. Every day, Taira saw the pain of missing Ruki grow in Yuuro. He could barely stand being apart from her for so long... something that both frightened and comforted Taira.

“You couldn't sleep either?” Taira asked the young male who was now sitting next to her in the high grass next to the inn. Illuminated by the starlight, Taira could see the mountains that marked the borders of the Friendship Lands in the distance. They were so close to home now... And this time, she was sure she wouldn't have to leave again.

They had traveled so much the past few years- too much. No matter how much they had achieved on those journeys and how much they had learned, it was time to settle down. Within a few months now, she would be queen. And a queen belonged in her country, where she can help her citizens. Besides, she had seen enough of the world, and too little of the Friendship Lands. It was time to get to know the country and the ponies even better.

“No, not really. The beds are comfortable and all, but I keep thinking about home... and then I started thinking, wow, I'm already thinking of the Friendship Lands as home. I'll never see Kin that way again, eh.” Yuuro said, while gazing north. The road the inn was on would bring them to Kin if they didn't take the side road that lead to the Friendship Lands.

“I guess there is something about the Friendship Lands that makes it feel like home... I know what you feel. I have the same thing. I never knew what it was like to call a place home... but it didn't take long before I began to see the Friendship Lands that way. It's a curious country.” Taira agreed, thinking back on how she once came to live there.

A peaceful silence fell, interrupted only by the soft breeze rustling the autumn leaves. Taira could hardly believe autumn was here already, but the orange leaves and the colder weather left no mistake. It felt like spring had come only yesterday, and now winter was here yet again on their doorstep. She promised herself that she would properly enjoy the blossom on the trees next year, and the chirping of the newborn birds.

“Miss Taira... could I maybe ask you a question?” Yuuro said.
“Of course.” Taira answered, curious what he wanted to talk about.
“It's about Ruki. Do you think she is happy now? I mean... I want her to be happy. It's all I want. But sometimes I just feel like her mind is elsewhere... that she is hiding things which still haunt her sometimes. I don't know, maybe I'm completely off but... I'm scared I'm doing something wrong.”

Taira smiled. So he was insecure... somehow she found it slightly adorable.
“I think Ruki has been through a lot of things, Yuuro. I know you know that. And I know you're well aware that maybe she'll never share any of it with any of us. Maybe because it's too painful to say out loud, or maybe because she is ashamed even though she knows she doesn't have to be...

What I'm trying to say is, the question is not whether you're doing something wrong or whether there is something you can possibly do about it. The question is, will she ever allow herself to move on and be happy with what she has now, without remembering her painful past all the time? But that question, I'm afraid, is not something you or I can ever find an answer to. It's all up to Ruki herself.”

Yuuro didn't seem altogether happy with her answer, partially because, Taira suspected, it was the answer he had come up with himself.
“So what can I do? I mean... I know this is something she has to face and answer herself, but there must be something I can do for her. It hurts to just sit and do nothing...”

“I think there is lots you can do. The only thing you can not change is her past... but it is her future you can help create. So be there for her. Because the path she chose, to be a princess and to one day become queen... it's not going to be easy. It's hard on anyone. So support her. You'll find your own way to do it in time. I gave you permission to marry my daughter, because I know you can take care of her in the way she will need most.”

“Thank you... I will take care of her. I promise.” Yuuro nodded.
“Good. That's all I ask of you, Yuuro.” Taira added.
“I will not fail you. Ruki is the most precious person in the world to me. I will not let her come to any harm.”
“Don't make promises you might not be able to keep though, Yuuro. Who knows what the future will bring us.”

The silence of the night fell once again. Taira could hear an owl somewhere in the forest while a soft breeze pulled even more leaves from the trees.
“Maybe you should go to bed, Yuuro. We still have quite a way to go before we're home tomorrow, and it won't do if you're all exhausted because you didn't sleep.” Taira said.

“Yes, you're right, my lady. Good night, and thank you for your words.” Yuuro said as he got up.
“Good night, Yuuro.” Taira said as she watched him walk back to the inn.
She knew she had to go to bed as well, she had to travel the same distance after all, but she just didn't want to go to bed yet. She wasn't sleepy at all and she'd only keep Fjaril awake with all her twisting and turning if she went in now to try.

“You weren't too strict on him, I hope?” A familiar voice said.
“Oh, Fjaril! I thought you were asleep!” Taira exclaimed when she saw her husband approaching.
“I was, but I woke up and you weren't there, so I went outside to look for you. I saw you talking with Yuuro for a while... I didn't want to interrupt. It seemed like you two had something important to discuss.” Fjaril sat down and gave her a small kiss.

“Yea.... we kind of were. That guy is... he loves Ruki so much. He'd do anything for her. So I had to tell him he couldn't do anything for her, because some things she has to do herself.” Taira sighed as she looked at the stars above. Somehow, she wondered if Yuuro would follow her advice, or if he would still try.

“I guess you're right. Ruki is not the kind of girl that shares everything... not even with him, no matter how much she will come to love him.” Fjaril agreed with her.
“Now, will you come to bed? It won't do if you fall asleep halfway tomorrow.” Fjaril winked. “Yea. I know, you're right. Let's go to bed.” Taira smiled as she got up and followed Fjaril back to the inn.

Ruki didn't know why she was awake. Again. This was the third time that night she had woken up. Surely morning was almost there by now... but everything was still dark outside. Frustrated with herself, Ruki decided to get out of bed and get something to drink. Spinning around in bed wouldn't help her fall back asleep.

The corridors of the castle were dark. All the lights were out and everyone was asleep... probably even the servants. She knew they woke up really early to prepare breakfast and clean the queen's rooms before she started working, but it was too early still, even for that. Indeed, when she entered the kitchen, she found everything rather empty.

Had she gotten so used to the castle life already that she couldn't find anything to drink herself? In the darkness, she couldn't find anything but wine, which she didn't feel like at all. Even more frustrated, Ruki decided she would learn where the servants stored drinks and food first thing in the morning.

Of course, this entire adventure had done nothing to help her get sleepy again, so Ruki decided to just get a bit of fresh air in the garden. At least she knew where to find the door. The night air was cold and moist, even though there was no cloud in the sky. The stars shone brightly, something that still created a smile on Ruki's face whenever she saw it.

Ruki wandered through the garden until she reached her favorite spot. Without any effort she summoned some prana out of the depths of the earth, and the purple glow slightly illuminated the place. It was so easy nowadays... there was no resistance at all, and it got easier every day. Ruki was convinced that within a few seasons, the east and the west would be the same, when it came to royal powers and prana. Would the breach itself also dissapear?

“Your mother will be home tomorrow.” A voice said before the guardian actually appeared.
“Hello, Fiume.” Ruki greeted the guardian.
Out of all guardians, Fiume was the one to contact them most. Saule did as well, but she was always more formal and not up for random chitchat. Fiume however seemed to like talking with them.

“Princess Ruki.” The guardian shone bright in the night sky, even with the stars behind her. Fiume bowed when she landed, something that still embarrassed Ruki.
“I told you Fiume, you don't have to bow for me. You're a guardian, for crying out loud.”
“Which is exactly why I bow to you.” Fiume answered.

Ruki decided to let it go; it was pretty obvious that Fiume would not give in no matter what she said.
“My mother, eh. The others too?”
“Of course.” Fiume answered.
“Did everything go well? Did they... well, you know, Twinkle Star...” Ruki didn't want to say it out loud. The memory was still so painful...

“Her earthly body was returned to the earth.” Fiume answered.
“Was Kiyoi okay?”
“He was sad of course... but he will be okay. I am more worried about the girl Câlin. She won't accept. She's blaming your family.”
Fiume sat down on the ground next to her. Ruki didn't dare to ask how Fiume knew all this; she was sure the guardian had her ways. She used to be in touch with them for so long through the river and her stone, that she had gotten rather attached to them.

“I was afraid she would. She lost two mothers now... both of them here, related to my family. Of course she's blaming us. Maybe in time, she will understand... But I don't think it's something I would ever ask of her.” Ruki sighed, thinking of the little girl with the dark wings. Poor Câlin... of only there was something she could do for her, but she was certain that anything she might try would only have the opposite effect.

“So... are you guys done? Checking and stuff? Are the heavens securely tied to the earth again?” Ruki asked, trying to think of something else.
“Oh, yes. Everything is secure. And we're here now. Should they ever become untied again, we can fix it right away, even though I do not think that will happen.” Fiume said.
The guardian was so magnificent, even up close... Her wings sparkled like the stars in the sky, and her eyes seemed to be made of the purest water.

“So you'll really stay then? All five of you?” Ruki asked.
“Of course we will. There's no going back now for us. We belong here.” Ruki thought Fiume smiled, but with the guardians it was always kind of hard to detect any kind of emotion.
“That's a relief.” Ruki said as she tried to picture a world with guardians. Somehow it was still hard to imagine.

“We will always support and advise you and your family, Princess Ruki.” Fiume said.
“Well... you shouldn't! I mean, what if we make a bad decision? You shouldn't support that.” Ruki said, unable to picture herself as a flawless queen, no matter how far into the future.
“But Princess Ruki... you are the True Heir. Even if you think of a decision that might not be the correct one, we will always be there for you. We're bound to you, and you to us.”