Yuko X Aaron (A SubZero Fanfiction)

Part 3: An Unusual Trait

Yuko awoke to the sun shining brightly on his face.

It was the second day of being in the Azure Clan's capital. Since his arrival, Lieutenant Aaron had come to visit him from time to time to check up on him and change his bandages.

Yuko sat up and slid out from under the covers of his bed, carefully standing up with the help of the candle rod that stood beside him. He manages to change into the spare robe that the Lieutenant had left for him, and slipped on a pair of sandals before making his way outside.

The sun blazed across the tiles roofs of the surrounding buildings, bathing the courtyard in a heavenly glow. Yuko walked out of the room and onto the wooden deck, gazing at the garden of grass, rocks, and trees that filled the squarely courtyard space.

He made his way out to the middle of the garden, the gaps in the leaves casting spotted shadows across his small form as he sat down on one of the larger rocks near the pond. He stared into the still, clear water, watching the koi fish wind their way around lily pad stalks.

Without thinking, he stuck his hand into the cool water, and to his surprise, the koi fish actually gathered around it. One of them brushed against his palm, leaving a soft, tingly feeling in his fingers. He smiled, "I'm sorry little guys. I would feed you, but I don't have anything on me."

"I could help you with that?" a voice said from behind him. Intinctively, Yuko dug his foot into the ground and whirled around, a sharped rock the length of his neck clutched tightly in his hand.

Leaning against the tree was none other than Lieutenant Aaron, tossing a loaf of bread up and down in one hand. "I was just coming by to deliver your breakfast, and I happened to overhear." he stated with a smirk. Yuko sighed and he let himself relax, sliding the makeshift knife back into the neckline of his robe, "Please don't do that. I might end up slitting your throat by accident."

Aaron pushed off from the tree and walked over, "Really now? You know, for someone as young as you, you sure have a knack for battle." Yuko looked away, his irises shifting from brown to green and back again, "You have no idea....."

Aaron, curious, sat down beside him and leaned forward, staring at his eyes. Yuko blinked and blushed slightly, rubbing his arm, "What? Why do you keep staring at me?" Aaron leaned back, picking off pieces of the bread and tossing them into the pond, "Your eyes. They change color." Yuko flinched, "Y-Yeah? What about it?" Aaron moved closer, "It means something, doesn't it?"

Yuko face turned red, and his eyes a light pink, as he scooted away, "M-Maybe. Why?" Aaron glanced away, his cheeks dusted with a faint rosy hue, "No reason. I'm just curious."

And they're beautiful.....like sparkling diamonds, he thought to himself.

Yuko snatched the bread out of his hand, tossing a handful of crumbs into the water, which was soon swarmed with koi, "Well, in that case.....they're tied too my emotions, like a mood stone. That's all you need to know." "Guess that leaves it up to me to figure out the different meanings to the colors, then." Aaron said with a grin.

Yuko turned back to him, a look of sarcasm on his face, "Well aren't you real chummy, Headband." Aaron cringed at the nickname, "What do you mean?" "You just met me yesterday, I've only been here for a day and a half, and we've only spoken once. Yet you talk to me like you've known me for years." Aaron scratched at the back of his neck, "An unfortunate habit of mine. I'm well aware of it."

Yuko was on the verge of considering using the "I'm a royal, you shouldn't talk so familiarly with me, peasant." card, but he himself knew he wasn't that much of an ass. Besides, the Lietenant was probably much older than him.....and it's not like he could back it up.....

He set the last of the loaf down on the rock and stood up, confirming his decision, "In that case, Lieutenant, how about you live up to it?" Aaron stared at him in confusion, "What do you mean?" Yuko put a hand on his shoulder, gripping it as he made direct eye contact, "I mean, how about you show me around? Take time to become familiar with me and my mannerisms?"

Aaron blushed a dark red, visibly this time, "O-Oh. I.....suppose that wouldn't be a terrible idea....." Yuko started towards his room, "Then let me get changed into something more suitable and we'll be on our way."

Aaron watched him as he walked away, gazing at him in awe.

He's definitely a royal, alright. Just the air of confidence he presents is astonishing.....

He placed his hands on his knees and pushed himself up, tossing the rest of the bread into the pond for the koi to finish, "Today is turning out to be a lot more eventful than I thought....."