http://clampfix.fanworks.net/tb-fix/acgs.txt </head><body><pre>if you don't know the movie .. then you don't. this is prolly going to be heavily au and ooc and all the stuff most ppl love to hate me for. - - - -- - -- - -- - - A Chinese Ghost Story It seemed that master Yen was not particularily pleased with the Japanese ceremonies he had to put up with. If he hadn't been so well recommended by the past head of the clan, Grandmother would not have let the smelly man from China even near the lovely Sumeragi estates, let alone in her grandchildren's presence. She remained peacefully in the room they had supposed to welcome their guest in, and gazed thoughtfully at the old Tao- master who preferred the garden to the room that had a while ago bustled with servants ready to satisfy their superiors' whims. Stiffly the taoist had reclined and asked if he could pace the gardens. He had also told that he felt uneasy with so many servants around, since he was capable of puring his own tea thank you very much. Master Yen wasn't particularily rude, Grandmother thought. He seemed to have a great dislike for being waited upon, and he wasn't very social either. And he thought nothing of elegance. And he had the same tastes in life as an ape .. an old, witty and mean- spirited ape. Grandmother had to wonder if this was truly the same person she would give her grandson's custody to for a whole year. Even if it had been Subaru's father's dying wish, Grandmother was amazed. Unpleased, yet submitting. The Tao-master didn't seem like a mysterious sage or an educated scholar. He wore a blue shirt and trousers - blue was normally worn by servants - and curious tight-fitting sandals. He had small pig eyes and a black beard. However, there was something that gave him significance; the eyes were keen and greatly intelligent. He didn't exactly walk around like a normal person, master Yen glided, skipped, ran, rather than walked. Yen's personality didn't strike Grandmother as anything ordinary, but she doubted that it could be considered a virtue. A servant pulled the screen door open on the side of the room, disturbing Grandmother's quiet ponderings. Her young grandson knelt down and bowed to her politely, and she admitted him inside the room. Subaru entered, only to look around in confusion. "Your new master is waiting in the garden, Subaru-san", Grandmother said blankly and gestured at the screen door that lead to the summer sunlight. "He will see you there." Subaru cast an uncertain glance at Grandmother as he entered the garden warily, approaching the figure sitting under a cherry tree. At what was considered a polite distance, Subaru flowed gently to his knees and bowed politely, waiting for his new master's approval. When none came, Subaru still stared at the gravel, feeling Grandmother's guardian stare over them. He had been running just a moment earlier, running in the bamboo grove with his sister, and his feet ached slightly. So did his back now, bent in an abnormal shape that stressed his spine, and the fiery noon sunshine on it made Subaru uneasy. "Hmm. You going to continue long time?" Master Yen asked. He spoke bad Japanese with a stranger's accent. Subaru blinked. "I was waiting for your leave, master Yen", Subaru said, unmoving. "Up. I like talk people's face. Not neck. Japan, everyone on their knees too much." Master Yen stood up. "Subaru, right?" Subaru stood up, white hakama flowing into plaids accordingly. "Yes, master Yen." The old Chinese man didn't look particularily pleased, but didn't smile either. "How old are you?" "Sixteen, master." "Good. Let's go get drunk." It took all of Subaru's willpower not to take a few steps backwards. "Y-yes, master, if you will", Subaru said nervously. "Very good method getting to know people", Yen said matter-of- factly. - - -- -- -- - gosh. Maija [ malice@bdb.fi ] [ http://malice.greywolves.org ] Sä saat tuta mun etanan.</pre><p><a href="./">Back</a></p><p><a href=http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=216><img border=0 alt="Donate towards our web hosting bill!" src=https://secure.newdream.net/donate1.gif></a></p></body></html>