The ocean of clouds glittered, alternately deep blue and pale, silvery white, stretching into the distance. It seemed the palace was suspended on thin air just above the restless waves, to drift along with the water into eternity. But it was a cold eternity, even at the height of spring, and the prevailing wind snatched at Taiki's robes, lifting the hems and ruffling his sleeves greedily. It was just on the tolerable side of iciness, crisp with the scent of rain.

He leaned against the rail, gardens behind him, and sighed into the wind.

It felt as if he would be 'too young' forever. The ministers insisted he could not take on his responsibilities yet; Gyousou and Risai agreed with them, and he couldn't help but feel a tiny twinge at that thought. It had taken him days to finally screw up the courage to say something to them, yet when he did, they only told him to be patient, to worry about growing up - as if that could ever be enough. He had responsibilities as the Taiho of Tai, and because of his inability, they were piling up on Gyousou.

What a burden. He assured Taiki otherwise, but the kirin knew the meaning of burdens, and that was the last thing he wanted to be.

He closed his eyes and folded his arms on the rail, leaning to rest his chin on them. The wind combed through his hair like Gyousou's fingers sometimes did when he wasn't paying attention. He was sometimes called to the study at night, to spend a few cherished minutes with his master before the time compelled them to prepare for bed, and early morning meetings.

Taiki swallowed hard, another pang in his chest, and buried his face in his arms. All he could think of was staying close to Gyousou. It would only be possible if he could shoulder his own burdens and act his part as kirin, rather than as a child.


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The title was ripped from the music track I was listening to while updating. (My creativity knows no bounds.) On the scale of good fic snippets, this one is non-existent. I may work on this a little more, and attempt to make it readable - I have ideas for other scenes that I didn't have a chance to write at the time.

(15 minutes - finished 10:40pm, 05/18/04)