Another chance (kunizai)

10

Dazais pov

I knew something was wrong with kunikida but he wasn't telling me. I don't want to pressure him so I kept quiet I mean I still feel bad about the fact I'm not a woman and can't have his children. If I have secrets he should be allowed to as well.

Today was a festival in honor of our soldiers who will be going to war. Most festivals I skip but seeing as this is kunikidas first festival in our kingdom and the fact we will be celebrating over Chuuya as well I decided i could live with going to this one.

Kunikida and I both got dressed before leaving for the festival. When we left the castle we had to be with the rest of the royal family on a stage while Mori announced the different soldiers that would be going to war. I saw Chuuya standing proud but I could also see the look of dread on his face.

Chuuya had told me what was going to happen. He was going to be on the front lines and will most likely die in battle.

"But you can't! You have a life here you can't go to war just to die"!

"Dazai I am a soldier. This is my job. And I don't know about you but I would gladly die if it meant protecting my kingdom and family".

That's what he told me when we went out together the other day. I hate the idea of him going off to war and not coming back but knowing Chuuya he would do it even if he was scared.

I admired the fact that he cares so much for his kingdom, friends and family. While the only one I care about is kunikida.

After moris speech kunikida, Chuuya and I decided to wander around the festival for awhile until the firework show. As we walked around we had a few villagers approach us, saying kind words of respect to kunikida and I and wishing Chuuya luck at war. We continued walking until I saw a game set up for archery. The game is mostly played by children but adults can play it as well. Chuuya and I play it almost every festival (when I'm not skipping it).

"Chuuya" I said pointing to the booth making both him and kunikida look. When chuuya realized what I wanted he smirked and we walked over.

"Two tickets" Chuuya slammed some money down on the counter for the man in charge of the booth who smiled nervously at us.

"Alright the rules are simple. Try to shoot the three targets with the three arrows you have. If you shoot them all down you will get a prize". The man explained and Chuuya and I nodded.

Kunikida stood to the side even though Chuuya offered to buy him a ticket as well but he declined. I think kunikida knows what is going to happen as well. That's why he is letting Chuuya and I enjoy as much time together as we can get before he leaves. But I don't know how he found out. I didn't tell him and Chuuya had mostly just been with me so he couldn't have told him. Honestly that's kinda weird to me.

"Alright start in 3, 2, 1". The man counted us off as Chuuya and I pull back our bows and get ready.

"Start"!

Clink clink clink.

All three cans immediately fell to the ground before I could even release the arrow from my bow making my eyes blow wide.

Since when did Chuuya get so good at this.

I remember when we where children we learned archery together with my father and we continued even after he died. My father really liked Chuuya even though he had a sharp tongue. Yet I think it was his sharp tongue that my father liked the most. Someone who knows are status but just doesn't care.but I mean thats one of the reasons Chuuya and I became Friends in the first place.

"Congrats Chuuya. You really have gotten better". I patted his shoulder and he laughed.

"Anyway let's move to the next thing" he said walking away after telling the man at the booth he didn't want a prize.

We got some food after awhile then headed to the castle to go to kunikida and my room to watch the fireworks from the balcony.

When Chuuya saw what room we had been moved to he had a frown that appeared on his face. He knew what happened to my parents after all he took me in for the short amount of time before Mori brought me back to the castle to fake being his son. I lived with him and his older sister who was a Taylor so that was the most peaceful my life had ever been. True I didn't have someone to do everything for me but I also didn't have anyone hovering over top me 24/7. Tho I did have to share a bed with Chuuya which sucked.

We stood on the balcony waiting . Kunikida held my cold hand in his warm one making me smile up at him while he smiled back.

Chuuya saw us but didn't say anything leaning against the railing waiting for the fireworks. I didn't notice the look of sadness in his eyes. I didn't notice how he sighed whenever kunikida or I where affectionate with each other. Or in fact how he was upset when I would even mention his name when we where hanging out.

Kunikida and my attention was stolen away by the loud sound that filled the air and the flash of light that lit up the kingdom. We looked out and saw all the beautiful color that filled the air. I was really happy I didn't skip this festival.

After the firework show ended Chuuya announced that he needed to go home to see his sister so I offered to walk him out. He looked like he was going to decline but thought it over then accepted.

As we walked I wanted to say something but didn't know what. Chuuya and I had never been in such an uncomfortable silence before. We almost always knew what to say and how to start a conversation but now I don't. I don't know what changed.

"Hey Chuuya...".

"What".

"Are you... ok"?

He looked up at me then sighed looked at the ground as we walked.

"You said my name several times tonight".

"I'm yea"? I was confused. I didn't know what he meant but he sighed again.

"You never say my name. You always have a stupid nickname for me like slug or chibi. You always call me something but now you don't. I guess I just am not used to not being important to you".

I gasped grabbing both his hands in mine.

"Chu- chibi you have always and will always be important to me. You are my best friend and you have been since childhood. Your the first person to care about me not for my title but for me being myself. Sure we went together all the time anymore since I'm married but that doesn't mean I care for you any less then before".

I notice the door at the end of the hall we where in open and a maid come in so we lowered our voices. I heard Chuuya chuckle slightly then cover his eyes with his arm like he didn't want to see me anymore.

"Yea I guess I was just being stupid yea? I just had the wrong idea". He took his arm away from his eyes and I saw tears prickling from the edges. His blue eyes shinned with the moonlight falling on them and tears making them look glossy.

We heard another door open.

"Thank you osamu. I'm sorry for being so stupid. I kinda just thought that I would be the one to-"

"Dazai San , Chuuya San ! Look out"!

Chuuyas eyes widden and he grabbed my wrist pulling me behind him and grabbing the maid that was behind me throwing her to the floor. That's when I saw she has a knife in her hand.

She was going to kill me.

Akutagawa who was the one who called out to us ran over as Chuuya tied her up taking the knife away from her.

"Aku take dazai back to his room then go find the king and tell him what happened . I'm taking her to the dungeons and telling the guards what happened". Chuuya commanded pulling the maid up and dragging her away as she kicked and screamed incoherent words.

"Come on dazai San. I'll take you back now".

What the hell happened?

What was Chuuya about to say?

Why is someone trying to kill me?