Title: An Eternal Blessing for Peach Blossoms and Snow Bunnies (the full title)

Prologue: The Little Seamstress

Author: ani

Disclaimer: It’s CLAMP’s universe, I’m only playing in it.

Pairings: future Touya/OC and Touya/Yukito.

Author's Note: sure this doesn't fit the summary yet, but i'm taking my time telling this story. She needs this much.

He smiled at Kisuke and the young girl as they were allowed into his son’s suite. She appeared to be a bit younger than Touya – ten, eleven at most. Her head hung over the clothes draped over her arms, and all that blue-black hair couldn’t hide the flush of embarrassment, no doubt at being in the private quarters of the castle. One hand slipped out of the pile of garments to tuck her hair behind her ear as she peeked at him. He smiled softly, encouragingly and she lifted her head a bit, showing she’d inherited Kisuke’s pale lavender eyes. He chuckled as his son suddenly froze.

The textile merchant put his wares down on a nearby table and proudly held his hand out to her. “Your Majesty, Your Highness, I am pleased to introduce my beautiful daughter, Hisae.”

She bowed clumsily with her load still in her arms. “Your Majesty, Your-Your Highness. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

He didn’t miss the stutter, “An eternal blessing after five sons,” or the jump, “and it seems another brother is coming soon.” His smile slipped with the worry on their faces.

“The doctor’s ordered strict bed rest, so Mother sent me to do the adjustments,” Hisae stated as she held her bundle out, not sure what to do or where to put it.

“Touya-ouji,” he nodded towards her, urging him forward before one of the servants could take them. Touya blinked a few times before he turned to Hisae, taking the clothes before heading through the door on the left.

He had to admit it surprised him as he turned back to them; Kisuke was almost as nervous as Hisae. “I assure you, Your Majesty, that Hisae is quite skillful with her needle. She’s been working with her mother since she was five, Midoriko has even been saying her embroidery is better than her own lately.”

Apparently Hisae hadn’t known this; she perked up immediately. “Truthfully Your Majesty, she’s done more work on the royal garments then her mother these last two years,” Kisuke just kept rambling as her shock turned to embarrassment, blushing prettily at her father’s words. “She’s even learning how to weave-”

He raised his hand, cutting him off. “No need to worry Kisuke-san, we chose Moriko-chan for her talent, her love for her work. I wouldn’t expect any less from her daughter,” hearing the door swing open, he smiled as she suddenly turned away, her face reddening even more.

Turning towards it he realized why. Touya stepped out, his hands smoothing out the front of the new tunic as he walked to the mirror. Chuckling softly and snapping her out of it, she quickly joined him, “Is it to your liking Touya-ouji?” she started reaching for the bottom hem, stopping as his fingers brushed hers, “Is it too short, too tight?”

He caught her gaze in the mirror, “No, it’s good,” he smiled, “and it’s Touya.”

She blushed once again, her eyes falling to the open collar, “Oh, I almost forgot too,” Hisae turned to her bag, pulling a smaller one out. “Mother was just going to pick one, but I thought you should,” pulling the drawstring open revealed it was full of buttons, “It is yours after all.”

Touya stared a bit before turning to the bag.

His words, his surprise warmed his heart as he left his son to his choices, turning to Kisuke and his own.

------

His prince and heir stayed by his side as they showed their guests to the main hall.

His son surprised him by standing there, watching as they crossed the grand courtyard. He could keep the confusion off his face, but it was obvious in his eyes.

“Sometimes Touya-ouji, you find what you need where you least expect it,” he put his hand on his shoulder as Touya turned to him, “and sometimes it finds you.” He smiled enigmatically as he walked away.