Disclaimer: I own nothing.
The Light Before We Land
"Without a premonition / could you tell me where we stand? / I'd hate to lose this light / before we land / And when I feel like I can feel once again / let me stay awhile / soak it in awhile." – The Delgados
X
Chapter One
Third Person POV
Silent, measured breaths escaped the deadly, disciplined warrior as he slept soundly on his stomach on top of the blanketed, woven mat, his long, heavy red coat folded neatly by his head as he finally allowed his exhausted body some solid time to recuperate and regain strength.
Soft, blonde locks of hair partially covered Kyuzo's handsome face as his lips were barely parted against the thin but adequate pillow he was currently sleeping on, his pale, strong hands resting up by his head on the mat as the silent ex-bodyguard snoozed peacefully during the late hours of the night - the previous day having been filled with Kanna's second act of rain-drenched defense against the Nobuseri whereupon the samurai and villagers alike had fought bravely, tirelessly despite the cruel conditions.
In addition to blonde warrior feeling the inevitable strain and burn within his muscles from fighting so much and so hard, Kyuzo had instantly recognized his slight disorientation and light-headedness as becoming of a fever, probably due to being completely soaked with chilly rainwater for a prolonged amount of time before otherwise could be done.
The silent samurai did not stir in the least from his sleep as a cool hand tentatively touched his forehead, checking for any unhealthy heat which happened to be present, before lightly sliding down the exposed side of Kyuzo's sharp jaw line as if to admire such flawless construction in such a prime moment where the strict, intimidating man was charmingly unaware of his surroundings.
Kyuzo did, however, slowly, barely open his tired, red eyes, usually so full of cool, level ferocity, as he felt the subtle shifts of additional weight being placed onto his sleep-mat right directly next to him.
The blonde blinked his half-opened eyes before fully closing them once more, not able to clearly see anything amidst the darkened inside of the hut he was in without truly attempting to search, as he felt himself already falling back into a blissful slumber…just as a smaller, slender body completely settled next to his, purposefully nestling against his sheet-covered and still-clothed torso and legs as the figure carefully situated himself as close as he dared to the dual-sword wielder.
The last thing the ex-bodyguard's dreary, clouded mind was able to somewhat register before sleep fully claimed his temporarily unresponsive body and soul once again, was the feeling of someone softly grazing their cheek against the side of his outstretched arm, almost as if to savor something about him, something completely impossible for the fever-plagued and worn out samurai to even begin to contemplate.
X
The next day…
Kyuzo had woken up alone in the simple but practical hut, not even seeing the few male farmers that he was currently sharing the modest space with, as he lifted his upper body to rest on his forearms from his stomach-lying position.
Groaning low in his dry throat, the blonde dipped his head down as he brought up his hands to rake through his sunlight-colored tresses, effectively moving them briefly out of his face so he may place his palm flat against his forehead and estimate his own fever.
It had lessened since yesterday, but the fearless warrior still felt a bit sluggish and weighty from the effects.
With drowsy movements that fought to be schooled and more graceful, Kyuzo turned on his side, flung the pale-colored blanket off of him, and carefully rose to his feet.
Outside the hut, just beyond the straw, hanging door, the handsome samurai could hear children playing, obviously running around and shouting joyously as they made up infinite games with each other, as his keen ears could also pick up the more far-off sounds of birds chirping merrily as they soared overhead, passing Kanna Village and countless others in just matters of minutes.
Kyuzo quickly scooped up his beloved red coat, unfurled the durable fabric to its full length, and routinely shrugged the familiar garment on; realizing with a bit of sour rue that the reason he had woken up alone was because he had slept in late and the farmers were already out and working without him.
Sighing, the red-clad warrior decided that he would eat after he had a chance to bathe, his routine for the day having to be finalized in his mind beforehand as the ever-present, cognizant realization weighed heavily, bitterly within him that he had better not push himself too much today.
As Kyuzo stepped into his black and red-striped boots, ready to exit the hut and set out in the village and perform his duties as usual, he could not help but feel cynically grateful that Kambei had chosen to leave right after their battle with the Nobuseri and therefore was not able to see Kyuzo in such an embarrassing state – ill and not feeling well.
Bright, radiant rays of glorious sunshine stung Kyuzo's crimson gaze at first before he squinted his eyes and lowered them to the peasants who were busy hauling huge, trimmed logs from every direction to the next, the whole village of Kanna seeming to be bustling about as new homes were being constructed and things were finding normalcy once again.
Against the staggering blue sky above, the many, expansive fields of bent rice glinted with a lovely gold color, and even more in the foreground of the blonde samurai's vision was the dark-brown, dirt walkways on which the villagers were practically sprinting as they carried out their orders given to them by either Shichiroji or Heihachi.
Kyuzo was a little surprised to feel himself genuinely relax more now that he was outside and beholding such natural beauty, his overall grogginess that often is begotten from fever having lifted a bit from his very physical being, before he focused his stern eyes on the pathway that led to the right, passing the homes in favor of leading off into the forest.
His steps were determined, but not hurried, as the tall, leanly-built samurai walked away from the gold and blue scenery, full of people busy with work and play amidst such good weather and atmosphere, as he took to navigating through the thick, heavily-wooded forest where sunlight was scarce as it tried to make tiny, white dots where it could against the crowded canopy overhead.
Having seen it when he, Shichiroji, and Kirara had traveled from the Guardian's cave to Kanna Viallge, Kyuzo knew of the large pond that lay on the outskirts of the Sacred Forest, just before one came upon the grand, stone gorges that towered over the area and outlined the other neighboring villages.
This circular, crystal-clear pond, serving as the collection of water that made up the underground channels, was in perfect solitude as it was located outside of the village which gave any visitors a comforting view of the trees as it was also partially enclosed by large, grey rocks and stones, which made the body of water actually quite difficult to find.
No noise, no people, just water and quiet.
At last, Kyuzo stepped through the last of the trees and approached the pond as a narrow, dirt path framed around the actual water, his always alert eyes searching left and right before accepting that he was, in fact, thankfully alone.
Kyuzo stepped on the simple pathway up to the side of the water, looking into the silvery water for only a brief moment before closing his eyes and bringing his hands up to the folds of his infamous, red coat, already pulling apart the material from his chest and nonchalantly sliding his arms out of each of the sleeves.
Again, the coat was folded neatly and placed fairly close to the water, along with his large, matching red sheath that housed both of his long, thin blades, before Kyuzo latched his large, pale hands onto the black, criss-crossing straps that strung over his chest and around his back and carefully lifted it over his head.
Before continuing with his long-sleeved, shoulder-less shirt, Kyuzo kicked off his boots beside his growing pile of clothes by the side of the pond, and then swiftly pulled his form-fitting shirt off with deft, precise movements, quickly revealing his wide, horridly scarred back to the surrounding nature.
Simple black pants were inched down long, firm legs, folded, and placed on top of the pile before Kyuzo casually stepped down into the pond, knowing exactly where a few, tall rocks were so they may serve as steps to gradually lower his immaculately sculpt, deadly body into the sun-warmed water.
Kyuzo's soft, perfectly-shaped lips had parted as a small shiver had escaped the dual-sword wielder upon first entering the water, but he was quickly soothed into a deep tranquility as the refreshing water reached his chest, bringing extreme comfort to his over-worked muscles and general feeling of drowsiness.
Kyuzo brought his dripping hands out of the water and placed them on his face, rubbing up and down the fine contours, before dropping his body completely down into the water as he calmly held his breath and just stayed submerged for a totally silent and visually bleary moment.
The tall, pale young man with eyes of cool, hellish rage rose up from the water, taking a bit more air than usual into his lungs as he turned around in his spot and promptly sat down on one of the eroded, underwater rocks that made for a smooth, adequate seat for his long legs and stature.
Kyuzo did not mind at all how his thick mane of blonde hair dripped water across his face or was sticking to the back of his neck, as he lifted his arms up and placed his elbows on the ground's edsge out before him, right next to his perfectly folded clothes and swords.
Kyuzo could not help but lean his head onto his bent, left arm, letting that hand remain buried in his own, sopping wet locks, as he kept his right hand comfortably resting on his left bicep, his whole seated posture almost cradled in such a way as the red-eyed man lazily observed the trees out ahead of him, his view somewhat obscured by his angle in the pond as he just peered back into the wilderness from the water.
The peaceful blonde inhaled deeply the crisp smell of the water, mixed in with the sharp, musk from the trees that created almost a tingling sensation to course through the stoic warrior as he truly took a moment to not worry about anything, not the impending war between the samurai and capital, not Kanna Village and their problems, nothing.
Kyuzo did not even notice it when his eyes began to close…
…but someone else had.
Someone had watched with unwavering concentration as the blonde swordsman had stripped off his clothes before getting in the water, having taken his time with the careful removal of his black bodysuit before folding every piece with infinite care and discipline before sinking that toned, battle-hardened body deep into the water to soak.
Achoo!
Kyuzo sniffed miserably as he opened his eyes; able to sense that he had not had them closed for long, but morbidly depressed that his minor cold was making him sneeze occasionally.
However, before another thought could pass through his mind, in response to his sudden sneeze, Kyzuo heard someone jump from about twenty feet behind him, making obvious ripples course over the surface of the water that practically reverberated through the acute samurai's body.
With lightening fast movements, Kyuzo had one of his swords drawn from his sheath out in front of him, and was turning around with his weapon poised for a quick and rather personal kill.
"W-wait, Kyuzo-dono, it's me! It's Katsushiro!" pleaded the startled voice of the green-eyed young man who had been trying to stealthily saunter up to the uncharacteristically relaxed red warrior whose very image of such seemed to just effortlessly draw in the impressionable youth towards him.
Kyuzo visibly dropped his battle-ready tension, expertly placing his long, sharpened sword back in its place inside the red sheath on the ground, before merely casting his piercing gaze to Katsushiro from over his shoulder, admittedly feeling a little ashamed that he had not sensed the fledgling samurai's presence sooner.
Understanding that Kyuzo's gaze was, undoubtedly, questioning why he was even there, the equally bared and water-treading youth who still had his hair up in his usual style, swallowed thickly before saying, "I uh…I came to ask you if you are feeling any better, Kyuzo-dono."
Kyuzo almost huffed indignantly at Katsushiro's seemingly innocent statement, the dual-sword wielder also not particularly favoring how his condition was apparently known to others – the green-haired samurai still taking slow, cautious steps towards the blonde's direction as he brooded over these facts and faced away from him.
Suddenly, Kyuzo gasped, his naturally half-lidded eyes widening considerably as he felt fingers as soft and light and silk, carefully run down his back, making him shudder a bit from receiving such gentle, unexpected sensations and attempted to turn around before Katsushiro's words stopped whatever movement he had had planned on executing.
"…there are so many scars," Katsushiro said almost dreamily, his fingers still tracing over some of the more noticeable lines of raised, repaired flesh as he eyed them with evident longing in his voice, "…I can't believe you managed to survive them all…especially this one."
Kyuzo hissed in between his teeth, his neck craning back slightly, as he felt Katsushiro's sinfully soft fingers glide down the length of the largest, most jagged scar that adorned the middle of his wide, strong back before it disappeared beyond the water's surface – all of the young samurai's touches seeming to soothe the blonde warrior tremendously as well as make him drastically nervous and perplexed.
Confused over Katsushiro's unfamiliar touches that served to jostle the stoic swordsman's typically serene and collected mind, Kyuzo turned around to face the green-eyed young man, the water sloshing around them momentarily as he watched as Katsushiro automatically peered up into Kyuzo's water-streaked face at such a close proximity.
"Wow…"Katsushiro murmured, seemingly in a trance as the lithe, slender young man utilized this rare moment of Kyuzo being caught off guard as he carefully sat down on top of the blonde's lap, sliding his weight on top of Kyuzo's well-muscled thighs underneath the cool, cleansing water as he brought them even closer together.
Kyuzo, still having yet to utter a single word to the young man, had his lips unconsciously parted as he beheld such acts of tender boldness, perhaps even fearlessness which the red-eyed samurai was not accustomed to in the least when around others, as he only maintained a questioning, confused gaze at Katsushiro, barely understanding what the green-haired youth was even doing in the first place.
Out of the water came two, delicate hands that rose to either side of Kyuzo's handsome, chiseled face, taking hold of his jaw line in impossibly gentle caresses of Katsushiro's fingers against his flesh as the blonde watched the younger man's gaze soften and almost become lost as he watched with half-lidded eyes what his own hands were doing, just how they touched and felt Kyuzo's warm, pale flesh.
"Katsushiro…" Kyuzo said at last, wanting it to have sounded more like a warning as it was merely voiced as a low, barely-audible murmur that fell from the master swordsman's lips to the youth currently sitting on his lap and marveling at the sharp lines that constructed his face – the blonde's extremely controlled and war-sculpted senses and rationale absolutely failing him in trying to come up with a plausible solution to his situation.
"I think your fever has gone down some…Kyuzo-done," Katsushiro practically whispered to the older, devastatingly gorgeous man before him as he almost regretfully took his hands away from that pale, smooth skin, still loving how he was able to be this close to him and seeing him as he was in the pond, dripping wet with matted, blonde locks that let tiny, clear droplets of water rain down upon the hard, solid planes of his chest and shoulders, that endearing, speechless look on his face as mindlessly allowed Katsushiro to touch and speak to him as he pleased.
Kyuzo's disobedient body had shivered again upon hearing just how Katsushiro pronounced his name, with so much raspy satin that definitely hinted at something else but ultimately brought back some of Kyuzo's strict instincts, as the blonde hurriedly placed his hands flat against the green-eyed man's shoulders and shoved him away, keeping him at arms' length before standing up to his full height so Katsushiro might think twice before getting too close again.
Katsushiro said nothing; merely watching with intense interest as Kyuzo turned his back to him again, clearly bringing up a hand to swipe the water out of his eyes, before using his warrior's grace and stepping up a few stones so he may be on the ground once again.
Emerald eyes glazed over a bit, having narrowed as they watched every elegant move the blonde samurai had made, as Katsushiro let his gaze wander up and down the very embodiment of perfection to him, taking in the long, taut lines of scarred, powerful muscle that formed the refined and deadly warrior that stood before him and dressed.
Black bodysuit in place, boots having been slipped on, and coat in his hands, Kyuzo chanced one last glance towards the green-haired youth still bathing in the pond, who was watching him in return with eyes that truly denied his age, before briskly retracing his steps back into the forest which would lead him into Kanna Village, already breathing easier now that he was putting more and more distance between himself and the baffling young man.
Katsushiro dropped his shoulders the moment Kyuzo disappeared from view, already missing being so close with the elusive, silent male as the Okamoto could still feel the older swordsman's soft, blonde hair tickling at his fingertips, his surprisingly smooth, silken skin against his palms as he had held onto that deceptively attractive face, and felt the little puffs of warm air that escaped him ghost over his throat as Kyuzo breathed.
Being so close to something that seemed impossible to touch was maddening as it was electrifying to the green-eyed male as he contemplated his next move, trying to utilize his newly-learned strategizing skills that he had learned from Kambei during their battles, as Katsushiro genuinely felt like he had had a moment where he had captured lightening in a bottle, grasped something that was never really meant for human hands, to finally know of something that not just anyone had the fortitude to comprehend.
Katsushiro felt like he had danced with the devil or learned to fly…as he could still see in his mind's eye, the way Kyuzo had peered right back into his eyes, no words leaving either man's mouth for a while, as the blonde was in shock at being touched and Katsushiro was in shock that he was finally touching him.
It was no secret amongst the remaining samurai and villagers that the Okamoto youth highly valued Kyuzo's fighting abilities and adherence to Bushido, but what was not known was how Katsushiro had been absolutely intrigued by even the tiniest of detail concerning the red-clad warrior since the very first time their paths had crossed back in Kougakyou.
Being subject to that unforgiving, scarlet stare had initially frightening the green-haired young man, fueling his need to protect Lady Kirara from such an unpredictable and powerful aura that Kyuzo emitted, but that fear had quickly given way to a deep, consuming obsession that Katsushiro honestly could not help but let drive him to seek out more about the red warrior.
His silence was puzzling but admirable; his striking red gaze was fascinating and mysterious; his expert swordsmanship was beautiful and inspiring; his face was simply mesmerizing.
Katsushiro knew from the moment he had seen Kirara sewing up Kyuzo's red coat when he and the rest of the samurai had spotted them from beyond Wing Rock, that, aside from blatantly noticing Kyuzo's form-fitting attire and how his shirt allowed for his large, broad shoulders to be free, he was instantly hooked on catching Kyuzo in these rare, precious moments – the realization practically crashing down on the fledgling samurai as he could not deny feeling a certain unforeseeable jealousy wring tightly inside his stomach from seeing the water priestess with him instead.
Katsushiro sighed thoughtfully, blinking at the sight of the aged trees making up the forest out ahead of him, before reaching up his hands to free his hair so he may begin his bath, considerations plaguing him relentlessly about how he would like to proceed with the silent blonde versus how he should proceed in order to have the best possible outcome…as well as protect his own life.
X
Meanwhile, Kyuzo had successfully returned back to the village, the afternoon hour getting quite late, but still providing just enough dimming sunlight for the farmers' work not to be terribly disrupted and for lamps to start being used, and was currently sitting cross-legged in his hut with a bowl of rice in his hands.
Kyuzo ate his meal slowly, his mind still turning over the strange events that had happened to him earlier in the day, as he almost had to remind himself to stab his chopsticks back into the heap of warm rice and take another bite.
It just did not make sense to the red-clad swordsman and just thinking about it was threatening to give him an excruciating head-ache.
The blonde warrior was not blind, however, and had noticed full-well how Katsushiro would blush around him, usually getting a certain gleam in his eyes as he beheld the dual-sword wielder and listened to what he had had to say.
When Kyuzo had returned back from his scouting mission and reported in to Kambei, Katsushiro had been practically bowing down in front of him with respect, and later that same evening, the green-haired youth had had the audacity to approach him while he slept in the forest to offer him simple words of praise.
Even before that, Kyuzo could still remember how pleased the young man had looked once he had finally agreed in his own way to be a part of Kambei's team of samurai and travel to Kanna Village to defend it alongside them all.
Kyuzo chewed another small mouthful of rice as he tried to fit the pieces of the obscure puzzle together, finding it rather likely that the young Okamoto male was probably just struck by a simple case of 'hero worship,' just as he had with Kambei, but still…
Those touches against his back had been pure, blissful heaven and when Kyuzo had looked Katsushiro in the eyes, he had seen nothing but quiet, reserved want and lust as if the fledgling samurai was asking for something with truly asking for it.
Kyuzo licked the front of his teeth, unable to cease thinking about how wonderful those slender but determined hands of his had felt against his face, just holding his cheeks with the soft pads of his fingers, definitely something he was not used to by any shape, form, or fashion as the war-experienced samurai could still vividly remember, in large quantities that made up his tragic memory, how hands reaching out towards him had always had the intention to kill him.
People and machines had always only tried to get close to him so they could maim and slice his body in the most brutal and horrendous of ways, be it by swords or spears or bows or brute force; others typically approached the wordless, red-clad samurai so they could smear the surrounding ground with his bright, red blood and walk over his cold, lifeless body…never…ever…just to touch his face.
"Great Kyuzo, I have brought you some medicine for your cold," suddenly chimed an up-beat, positive voice from just outside his hut before Kirara politely pushed aside the straw door and stood there to receive permission first.
Kyuzo set his almost-empty bowl of rice down on the floor before casting his naturally half-lidded gaze her way, noticing that she was carrying a wooden tray with two, steaming cups on top, before nodding curtly to the water priestess, figuring that he would, in fact, probably greatly upset the girl should he turn down the medicine that she had obviously already prepared for him.
Kirara approached the sitting samurai, still keeping to the forefront of the facility, as she extended her tray towards him and set down one of the tiny, ceramic cups that contained his prescribed concoction.
The brunette young lady watched with great pleasure as Kyuzo picked up the little cup cooperatively, brought it just under his nose so he may sniff at the brewed but otherwise unknown liquid, before quirking an inquisitive eyebrow up at her.
"It's to help with the fever," Kirara explained with a small chuckle, finding it extremely charming how Kyuzo had to first silently question her about the odd-smelling medicine before actually drinking it.
Kyuzo frowned at the cup in his hands before faithfully tipping it back and downing the thickly-brewed concoction with a little effort on his part.
Kirara's approving smile never left her face as she watched Kyuzo finish the last of the liquid before setting down the small cup back on her tray, a bit of a contorted grimace on his face once he lowered the cup from his lips.
"And here's some tea to get rid of the taste," Kirara added with good-natured glee in her voice, already handing the red-clad samurai the second cup that had been sitting on her tray.
Kyuzo was quick to take this cup from the water priestess and hurriedly drank down the warm, green tea that easily cleansed his suffering palate and left a much more pleasant taste in his mouth.
Kirara chuckled warmly again as she sat down next to Kyuzo, the tray on her lap, as she kept her feet on the ground below and merely sat on the wooden floorboards by his side so she may speak with him and wait for him to finish his tea.
"You know, Katsushiro was the one who told me that you were not feeling well," Kirara said conversationally, her voice pleasant and cheerful as she watched Kyuzo calmly lower the cup from his lips and blink open his eyes to meet her waiting gaze.
"It seems that he has taken quite a liking to you; he's definitely worried about you, Great Samurai," Kirara remarked as she observed how Kyuzo's stunning red eyes lowered for the smallest of moments, as if he needed to drop her gaze to take in her words properly, before the ex-bodyguard met her gaze again and simply nodded in courteous understanding.
"Thanks for the medicine," Kyuzo stated, purposefully dodging Kirara's comments about Katsushiro that he honestly did not know how to answer.
Kirara bowed her head respectfully, accepting Kyuzo's empty tea cup on top of her tray, before standing and turning slightly to look upon his calm stature once more.
"Please call me if you need anything," Kirara said with a genuine smile, prompting the blonde warrior to soften his gaze at her and nod his head once more, grateful for such kind words and gestures from her and the others, even if they did sometimes make him feel uncomfortable.
Kyuzo watched the water priestess taker her leave before bringing up a hand and pinching the bridge of his nose, his scalding red eyes closed as he could already feel the medicine making him feel a bit drowsy even though he could tell that his previous grogginess was beginning to lift.
However, Kyuzo shifted his weight and sat facing the doorway where he could pull his boots on before heading out again; ignoring his slight tiredness that, no doubt, was due to the bad-tasting medicine he had just choked down as he knew that regardless of how he might feel, work still had to be done around the village.
In no time upon exiting his quaint, wooden hut, Kyuzo had located Shichiroji who was busy directing multiple groups of farmers in their placement of supplies and basic layout of the beginnings of new homes and facilities, papers held in his hands as he spoke orders and words of praise loudly to the hard-working men of Kanna.
"Oh! Hello there, Kyuzo-dono," the spear-wielding samurai greeted good-naturedly with a small smile as he watched the red-clad swordsman silently approach his side.
Kyuzo nodded his greeting, which Shichiroji immediately understood before he turned his head back towards the front to shout another few, clipped statements to the farmers currently roping huge logs together in order to create a basic foundation for another structure.
"What's the status of the current projects?" Kyuzo asked the other blonde, his voice his usual cool, low timber as he posed his solid, straight-forward question to Shichiroji who looked a bit shocked to hear him speaking to him at all.
"We've already laid the foundations for another four homes here, and Heihachi's teams are working on another three over in that direction," Shichiroji answered his samurai comrade as he quickly pointed a mechanical finger to his left to indicate where the orange-haired samurai was located, "so, if the weather stays like how it is, we should be done a little ahead of schedule."
"Hn," Kyuzo regarded the information, looking on along with the easy-going spear-wielder by his side as the village men efficiently hoisted up their framework of connected and fashioned logs with giant, thick ropes which only the strongest of the bunch handled.
"You know, Kikuchiyo was right when he said how farmers are as sturdy as mules. It's because of these men being in top shape that this difficult work is being able to get done so smoothly," Shichiroji commented off-handedly, occasionally checking over the detailed plans in his hands to make sure that the housing dimensions were still being kept accurate as the farmers worked a little ways in front of him and the swordsman.
"Ugh…"Kyuzo voiced unexpectedly as he made to move his hand to his eyes, using his thumb and middle finger to apply pressure to his brow as the red warrior suddenly felt his drowsiness spike and his fever strongly protest him being up and moving about.
Shichiroji's attention snapped towards his blonde companion, troubled by such a sound coming from the typically wordless man, as he watched how Kyuzo had lifted a hand to his brow as he dipped his head down, seemingly in pain of some kind.
"Uh-oh; I guess that's not exactly the case with you right now, though, Kyuzo-dono," Shichiroji remarked playfully at he turned towards his ill companion with a sympathetic smile on his face, "…I had heard that you were feeling sick, so you better go back and get some rest. We'll finish up here."
Kyuzo lowered his hand from his brow, but his face was still scrunched up some, an evident frown gracing his lips at the situation, before he swallowed the spit that had collected in the back of his throat before replying to the other blonde male.
"Fine," Kyuzo said quietly, feeling defeated by everyone's considerate words coupled with his own, debilitating state and condition, as he turned on his heel and walked back to his temporary house, actually a little glad for the reprieve from work as the red-clad warrior truly did feel his very bones crave for rest and relaxation.
Shichiroji watched Kyuzo obediently trudge back to his own hut located a little ways west of their current spot for additional residences, a smirk twisting his lips at the almost pathetic sight as he brought up his mechanical hand to rub at the back of his head.
"…poor guy," the spear-wielder remarked out loud to no one before turning his attention back to the farmers and their tasks at hand, mentally noting that Kyuzo must really not have been feeling well since he had easily accepted his order to go back home to rest without so much as a murderous glare directed his way.
X
The moment Kyuzo stepped back inside his simple, straw and wood hut, it was already early evening, rendering all of his surroundings painted a lovely purple-navy color that shooed away all of the previous, brighter colors of the day, and the blonde samurai wanted nothing more than to just flop down upon his resting spot and slip into a deep, effortless slumber.
However, years piled upon years of highly-coordinated discipline via severe adherence to Bushido and the harsh demands of wartime, made Kyuzo resist his urge to act so thoughtlessly as he carefully slipped out of his long, warm coat and folded it as per his mentally-ingrained routine.
Boots were toed off by the wooden floorboards and Kyuzo stripped off the oddly-shaped black fabric that ran the length of his back, crossed up and around towards his chest and created his high collar, which left him wearing only his lightly striped, wide-necked black shirt and flat black pants.
His bedding was efficiently laid out and organized in his unofficially assigned place and Kyuzo heavily sat down on top of the blankets, merely taking a good moment to breath deeply, clear his mind that had been thoroughly troubled before, and try to relax all of his uncomfortably lax muscles before properly lying down.
In truth, the red-eyed warrior had pulled a few muscles in his right shoulder that night of their battle in the freezing rain, as the swordsman's techniques did involve a wide range of long, far-reaching moves, never going for mere simplicity in his kills and cuts, which had rendered his shoulders to be broad and well-muscled, but sometimes rather sore from so much extended use.
Lifting his left hand to his right shoulder, Kyuzo squeezed the firm, solid flesh in a harsh grasp, already wringing out most of his dull pain as he let his strong, calloused fingers massage over the aching muscles as he sighed out his relief.
Satisfied with the improvement of his shoulder and definitely feeling his drowsiness pull at the better of him, Kyuzo slid his lean, nicely-sculpted body underneath the couple of blankets and laid down on his back to stare up at the vaulted ceiling before drifting off to sleep.
Half-lidded eyes blinked slowly at the familiar but shadowed structure above his head, his tiredness seeming to weight more and more down upon his very being the more he stayed silent and unmoving, and it was with a quick burst of half-formed energy that Kyuzo lifted a hand to his forehead to check his own fever before letting his arm plop down on the sleep-mat with his hand up by his face – the blonde, ill warrior quickly falling into a fitful sleep.
X
Several hours later into a much more dense and dreary time at night, Katsushiro had been asked by Kirara to check on Kyuzo one last time before turning in himself, an order the green-haired youth was all-too willing to oblige the water priestess and see through.
It was with practically noiseless tactics that Katsushiro approached Kyuzo's designated hut, knowing with a bit of shameless pleasure that the other farmers also occupying the living space were not there at the moment, and pushed aside the thickly-woven straw door before entering.
However, the young samurai's initial but restrained excitement came to a startling stand-still as he beheld with worried, emerald eyes as the deadly blonde samurai lie on his back, one hand up near his face, as his whole, lean body shivered from the onslaught of his fever and cold.
With careful, silent footsteps, Katsushiro stepped closer and closer to the restlessly sleeping samurai, still unable to help but take in his flawlessly handsome features even though he was suffering, as the Okamoto kept his eyes glued to that pale face and alluring, tempting neckline, just watching how Kyuzo breathed, how he looked as he closed more and more distance in between them.
Once Katsushiro stood over Kyuzo's subtly shivering form, long and thought-provoking underneath those thin blankets, the green-haired young man swallowed thickly before mindfully dropping to his knees, a plan of what he should do already forming inside his racing mind.
The fledgling samurai stared at Kyuzo's face, interested in every wince, every harsh or haggard breath of air that left him as the ex-bodyguard fought to remain asleep despite his illness, as Katsushiro quickly pulled his sword out from his black leather holster so he may place it off to the side.
Katsushiro's slender hands easily unlatched the buttons adorning the front of his predominantly black jacket before the thick garment was also laid aside, just as Kyuzo lolled his head the other way in his sleep.
Katsushiro absentmindedly licked his lips at the sight of the creamy, well-honed skin that beautifully crafted Kyuzo's elegant collarbone and shoulders, as the green-eyed man hurriedly removed his white and black long-sleeved shirt; Katsushiro's nerves finally starting to make his movements more hurried, more urgent as his fingertips tingled and he had to move his tongue around inside his mouth for moisture.
Feeling a bit bold with his actions, as well as genuinely concerned over Kyuzo's troubling condition, Katsushiro carefully moved Kyuzo's blankets off of him, revealing long, strong limbs encased in effortlessly seductive black that mercilessly clung to his curves and form as he lie on top of his mat, before Katsushiro gently straddled Kyuzo's trim waist.
Katsushiro silently blew out the air he had been unconsciously holding once he successfully settled both of his clothed legs on either side of Kyuzo's thighs, the Okamoto starting to feel a bit chilled as well from having his chest exposed and nerves on fire, before he softly planted his hands on Kyuzo's lower abdomen and began trailing them upwards on the slumbering samurai.
The more Katsushiro moved his trembling hands up along Kyuzo's stomach and towards his chest, the more Kyuzo's black shirt was bunched up near his collarbone, letting Katsushiro marvel unabashedly at perfectly-tapered sides that formed an incredibly sexy waistline and a tightly-muscled stomach where only a few scars ran over the hard ridges of muscle there.
Katsushiro swallowed hard again, his eyes glued to such battle-hardened excellence, such enticing features that served to wholly reaffirm to the green-haired young man that every one of his inner passions and feelings of infatuation towards the blonde…was without fault.
Both men made bare to the waist, Katsushiro slowly lowered down his chest to Kyuzo's larger one, his hands on either side of Kyuzo's head for balance in his movements, as he gradually allowed for more and more of his weight to settle on top of the older male, knowing that the flesh-on-flesh contact would provide adequate warmth and comfort to the ill-ridden warrior who had seemed to be freezing upon Katsushiro entering the hut.
Katsushiro's shining jade gaze softened considerably as he kept his face hovering over his idol and obsession, losing himself quite vastly in how he could feel every one of Kyuzo's delicious chest and stomach muscles press up against his own body as the blonde still shivered slightly underneath him.
However, just as Katsushiro had predicted, it was only a matter of sheer seconds before Kyuzo visibly calmed down with Katsushiro lying on top of him, sharing his warmth and natural body heat, as the blonde-haired warrior's breathing quieted down and became less forced to pass through those parted, luscious lips.
"You know…Great Kyuzo…"Katsushiro whispered to the handsome, sleeping blonde, half-lidded, green eyes lovingly sweeping over the long, graceful lines down the side of Kyuzo's face and neck as he spoke also wistfully to the man just inches below him, "…even though you might kill me about this later, I think I really…really like being on top of you."
No reply, just the master dual-sword wielder continuing to breathe in normal, measured breaths as Katsushiro all but melted on top of his long, athletic form – the green-eyed youth almost coming apart every time he felt Kyuzo's heart beat inside his chest and reverberate throughout his own body in turn.
Kyuzo just looked so effortlessly peaceful, finally comfortable despite his fever and Katsushiro was more than humbled at the fact that it was because of him that he was so.
With certain, fluid grace in his movements, the captivated Okamoto dipped his head down low until just the very tips of his petal-soft lips touched Kyuzo's neck, and pressed slow, feather-light kisses to the exposed flesh there, unable to resist the temptation of such perfection right before his eyes any longer.
The touch of his lips against the blonde warrior's skin was kept cotton-soft and completely mindful as Katsushiro gingerly rubbed his button-nose against the bottom of Kyuzo jaw, simply relishing in his fresh, unique scent of light mahogany while he used his nose to tenderly brush away some of Kyuzo's blonde locks from his cheek – the green-haired youth truly savoring everything about the incapacitated older man lying underneath him, blissfully unaware of all of Katsushiro's loving ministrations and moments of utter cherishing.
The fact that there were no protests, no words saying otherwise, nothing from the other man about had Katsushiro at his wits' end, positively dying to do more with his blonde-haired obsession who enticed him in every possible way that had Katsushiro considering that even if it really did mean death for him as he so mused, this body, this man…would be worth it.
Katsushiro placed another candy-sweet kiss to Kyuzo's collarbone, just under his throat; the gesture truly speaking of the younger man's genuine caring for the older man before him; before he breathed his final, whispered words of hope against the impossibly smooth and inviting skin before deciding that he would need to leave his handsome, lethal swordsman.
"I have to get you to fall for me…just as I fell for you…Kyuzo-dono," Katsushiro whispered contemplatively to the untouchable and silent man sleeping just underneath his lips, his touch, looking like a misunderstood angel that only needed someone else to lie there with him and know him, "…I have to; I can't go on if I don't…you're just so…beautiful."
X
The next morning…
Kyuzo was gradually roused from his sleep by the partially audible sounds of two or more people speaking from outside his hut, the swordsman quickly ascertaining that the topic was, in fact, him.
Kyuzo blinked tiredly as he tried to eavesdrop on the conversations going on without him, still not moving out of bed just yet as he only took to keeping still and lying on his back amongst his slightly ruffled blankets.
"...he'll need stronger doses of medicine for awhile…"
That sounded like Kirara as the ex-bodyguard could recognize that worried, high-pitched voice anywhere.
But with whom was she speaking?
Kyuzo blinked away more drowsiness as he kept his keen ears perked and ready to hear the voice of the person with whom the water priestess was speaking and obviously explaining something about his condition.
"…I can watch him and make sure he takes his medicine. It won't be a problem, Lady Kirara."
Katsushiro.
Kyuzo licked the roof of his dry mouth, greatly in need of some water, but unwilling to simply call out to either one of them and interrupt what was going on, even if his body did feel quite heavy and his muscles lethargic.
The blonde samurai closed his eyes again with a small sigh, trying to build up enough short-term strength so he could get out of bed and retrieve some water on his own…before…
"He looks kind of cute when he's asleep," mused a small but highly cynical girl's voice from his doorway all of a sudden, prompting the pseudo-sleeping samurai to frown in response to such a statement which was followed by a few chuckles that sounded more like the hissing of a snake.
"I don't know; he still looks pretty scary to me," added Komachi to her friend's off-handed comment about Kyuzo, this making the blonde warrior finally open his eyes again and look over in their direction.
Okara and Komachi were both peeking inside Kyuzo's hut with huge smiles on their faces, having obviously gotten passed Kirara's attention while she was busy speaking with Katsushiro, so they may look over one of the famed seven samurai whom they had heard had caught a cold and was lain up in bed for a while.
"Girls, get out of there this instant; you're being very rude!" Kirara suddenly piped up to them both, making them quickly duck away from the water priestess as they scampered away from Kyuzo's doorway and off into the bright sunlight of the day, something the dual-sword wielder was already extremely grateful for from the water priestess.
"So, I guess the medicine last night didn't help…?" Kirara offered empathetically as she stepped closer to the fierce warrior whom she had met in Kougakyou as he sat up from his spot in bed and could not help but drop his broad shoulders a bit from feeling in such poor shape.
The water priestess knew that his silence was his answer and she was not off-put in the least as she sat down in front of him and immediately brought up a hand to his forehead.
"How do you feel, Great Samurai?" Kirara asked; her worry evident in her voice as she had obviously noticed that Kyuzo's fever was still, in fact, present and making the typically steadfast and strict samurai look quite terrible and run-down.
"I've been better," Kyuzo answered with quiet sarcasm in his baritone voice as he kept his tired and newly-awakened eyes lowered as he simply blinked at her concerned touches and questions.
Kirara swallowed, her brow furrowed as she digested his words and took in his slightly slumped and, if she had not known better, depressed sight as he kept his hands in his blanket-covered lap and his eyes completely downcast from hers or anything else.
"Well, I'm going to change that;" Kirara said, her features becoming schooled with positivism as she spoke with firm, resilient words that did succeed in making Kyuzo lift his gaze from nothing to wearily meet her own, "I'll get started right away on some new medicine for you, and I'm going to have Katsushiro-kun look after you for the time being."
Kyuzo blinked at her iron-clad words, and was just about to say something in reply before he suddenly felt Kirara place one of her delicate hands on top of his and deliver a meaningful, comforting squeeze, any words that he had been intent on speaking quickly being forgotten as the look in her eyes was clearly expressive as to how she still had something she needed to convey.
"I can't help but feel responsible that you're like this, so I'm going to do everything I can to help you get better, Great Samurai," Kirara offered solemnly, her words speaking of friendship and bonds to the loner samurai, obligatory emotion brought on by situation and sacrifice that had easily given way to a much more solid means for understanding between the priestess and all of the recruited warriors.
Kyuzo's quiet surprise at the young lady's words and actions smoothly transitioned into a mutual understanding as well, and it was with genuine appreciation that the dual-sword wielder replied back to her.
"Thank you," Kyuzo replied simply but significantly, anything else being unnecessary to say as the smile on Kirara's face proved that their understanding of one another was entirely real.
"You're welcome, Great Kyuzo," Kirara said warmly, taking back her hand as she made to stand back up and take her leave respectfully, "Katsushiro-kun shall be here shortly with some water and tea for you. Do you feel like eating now?"
Kyuzo shook his head to imply the negative and Kirara nodded at his answer.
"I understand, but I must insist that you drink something," Kirara added hopefully, poignantly as she eyed his seated form and blood-colored half-lidded eyes just barely visible through all that thick, soft blonde hair.
Kyuzo, despite himself and his current state, curved his lips into a small smirk at the water priestess' mock-scolding words at him whose only intention was for his well-being, as his smile at her was out of gratitude and perhaps a bit of self-pity at the fact that not too many people had really ever cared enough to make sure that he was taking proper care of himself.
"Right," he said curtly but not harshly, pleasing her immensely as she nodded happily, smiling a nice smile his way as well, before turning around and walking out of his hut to set off to complete her work with making more stronger dosages of medicine and whatever else should be asked of her from her people.
Once he was alone inside of his serene, sun-light streaked hut again, Kyuzo took the opportune moment to stretch his neck as he angled his jaw from side to side, working out any stiffness in the muscles there which, as he had learned long ago, also helped in making his shoulders relieve some tension as well.
Just as he did the night before, Kyuzo lifted a hand to his problematic right shoulder and squeezed the solid, bared muscles hard with his fingers, digging his thumb into the side of the broad curve his athletic build had incurred before making slow, circular rotations with his thumb and forefinger to massage his own flesh as harshly or softly as he saw fit.
Kyuzo briefly shifted his gaze toward his shoulder in his hand, examining the sore patches that adorned mainly the bottom area before his bicep started, knowing with a bit of displeasure that his pain, in fact, due to a minor but highly-annoying strain, before a not-so subtle sound from the hut entrance made the blonde quickly snap his attention in that direction, his features of mild but disciplined surprise.
Cool, solemn red met curious, stunning green as Kyuzo watched Katsushiro enter into his hut with a steaming cup of tea in his hands and casually step towards him even though their mutual gaze never broke, one assessing; the other cautious.
"I can um…help you with that if you'd like…?" Katsushiro posed rather quizzically to the black-clad warrior, noting with a bit of spiked interest that Kyuzo had mindlessly dropped his left hand back into his lap from clearly holding his right shoulder.
Kyuzo said nothing in reply as he dropped Katsushiro's unwavering gaze, favoring to look at the wooden planks making up the floor right in front of him as he could still sense the younger male's movements while Katsushiro politely set down his cup of tea by his closest hand and automatically maneuvered to sit directly behind the dual-sword wielder on top of his blankets.
Kyuzo's eyebrows knitted together, his look that of haughty disapproval, as he turned his head and was about to say something to the effect of having Katsushiro leave his facility straight away, but instantly groaned out loud as he felt two, insatiably resolute hands latch onto the exposed area in between his neck and shoulders and grip hard.
Tea forgotten about, initial startling being completely fleeting, Kyuzo's blazing red eyes slipped close in precious, pillow-soft comfort as his vastly relief-laden mind only briefly considered the amusing idea of how this was the second time that Kyuzo's confusion had been ultimate silenced and dismissed by the feeling of Katsushiro's hands on his back.
"Where does it hurt? Tell me, Kyuzo-dono," Katsushiro cooed almost pleadingly from behind the older male, sitting on his knees in order to have some leverage over him as he used his hands to squeeze over and over again at the acutely-muscled area leading down to Kyuzo's broad shoulders and arms, knowing that such an area was always affected by fighting and wielding of heavy swords.
Kyuzo groaned again, positively in love with being able to feel years of strict, upheld behavior and times of utter strife simply melt away in astoundingly large, cleansing quantities from his over-worked and always-alert muscles being underneath Katsushiro's hands, before saying quietly, "…shoulders."
Complying right away with Kyuzo's single, spoken word, Katsushiro moved his deft, blissful hands to both of the blonde's squared, strong shoulder and pulled at them hard with his fingers.
Kyuzo's head fell forward, another heavy, grateful sigh escaping his lips, as he unconsciously leaned his body backwards into Katsushiro's seemingly life-saving touch, relishing in the magnificent sensations that were bestowed upon him and his generally aching body each and every time the green-haired young man gripped at his muscles in just the right way.
Katsushiro, in response to seeing Kyuzo practically melt for him right before his eyes as he was, was in his own, personal heaven as he took in the lovely sight of the master swordsman's widely-exposed neckline and tops of his shoulders that were currently warm and relaxed underneath his hands; the little sounds and noises coming from the handsome blonde every time the green-haired youth squeezed his flesh particularly hard were beginning to become impossible for the Okamoto to take.
Careful hands applying affectionate touches against his pale, creamy skin, Katsushiro took advantage of having Kyuzo in such a mindless, totally relaxed state, as he trailed his hands up from Kyuzo's shoulders and around to the front of his chest, effectively bringing the younger man's body to be pressed up against Kyuzo's back as he brought them closer together.
Katsushiro brought his face next to Kyuzo's, his cheek being tickled relentlessly by spiky, soft locks of blonde hair, as he used a hand to gingerly tilt Kyuzo's head up and over towards him and awaiting, jade gaze.
Kyuzo eyed the young man behind him in a haze, able to feel, without so much as a glimmer of a remorseful thought in the process, as those slender fingers of his ran gently over his throat and jaw, making him cock his head back in Katsushiro's direction as the Okamoto breathed in Kyuzo's scent deeply before speaking to the seemingly captive warrior in his loose, meaningful embrace.
"I hope I made you feel a little better, Kyuzo-dono," Katsushiro purred into Kyuzo's hair, turning his face even more towards Kyuzo's long, inviting neck as he trailed his fingers currently resting against the blonde's jaw up to merely ghost over his cheek, dangerously close to the older man's parted lips as the latter kept his head turned towards Katsushiro and listened to his velvety words.
Kyuzo involuntarily lifted a hand up from his lap, his half-lidded eyes still weary with extreme comfort and relaxation as it had felt like even Katsushiro's very words to him had been another tension-reducing caress against his flesh, and had begun to reach his deadly fingers up to also touch the younger man in return; mindlessly desiring to also feel that vibrant, emerald hair slide in between his fingers, to feel that porcelain, flawless skin of Katsushiro's cheek underneath his sword-calloused fingertips; but quickly stilled mid-way through the gesture and sharply looked the other way.
Kyuzo replaced his hand back in his blanket-covered lap; purposefully keeping his eyes on the farthest corner of the room as he struggled to put his somewhat scattered senses back together and avoid as much of Katsushiro's presence as possible.
"You should be getting back," Kyuzo spoke evenly to the young man behind him as he eyed the little ceramic cup of tea out in front of him on the floorboards, unable to clearly identify at the moment why he felt so utterly off-set and disrupted, like something deep inside of him had been compromised and thoroughly rattled from being with the green-haired fledgling samurai again.
"Yes, of course," Katsushiro replied dutifully as he mindfully stood up from his spot behind his blonde-haired obsession and swiped his hands against the front of his clothes to remove any invisible dirt – his actions only serving to buy his eyes more time observing the wordless samurai as he finally picked up his cup of tea and began to sip the hotly-brewed liquid in measured, unhurried sips.
Kyuzo kept his eyes closed as he sipped his tea and listened to the soft footfalls of his comrade as the latter approached the door, perhaps too timid to look up the puzzling Okamoto male so soon after admittedly completely lowering his guard to such an unthinking, uncaring point with him, but a sudden in Katsushiro's steps snatched the blonde samurai's masked attention right away.
"Lady Kirara should arrive soon with medicine, and then I'll come back later to check on you;" Katsushiro informed the ill-feeling samurai and object of his every desire and wish on this earth as he eyed his peaceful, seated form with admiration and a certain enriched tone in his voice as he added, "…perhaps I can continue where I'd left off, Kyuzo-dono."
Kyuzo quickly snapped his eyes open and towards the doorway, but only to see the hanging straw mat swinging back into its place as Katsushiro had obviously left immediately after speaking such cryptic but startling words to him.
Kyuzo dropped his shoulders as he lowered his gaze to his lap again, his cup of tea being held in between both of his hands, as he chewed over all of his recent information regarding the Okamoto samurai in his mind, completely bewildered at Katsushiro's words and actions, touches and everything that had gone unspoken by him as well.
There was definitely the green-haired young man was not telling the dual-sword wielder, something that Kyuzo decided he could not simply turn and look the other way as it was directly affecting him too.
"…perhaps I can continue where I'd left off…"
Kyuzo sighed silently through his nose, considering Katsushiro's more than disturbing parting words to him before he had taken his leave, instantly making the blonde's mind overflow with questions as to what exactly the younger man had meant in saying that.
It had been said with hope, with a certain taunt or hint of playfulness…perhaps even with a sultry undertone located just beneath what the spoken words actually meant, and it was greatly bothering the stoic swordsman.
However, the thing that bothered Kyuzo the most was the mysterious, unavoidable fact that he had plainly lost all sense of self, of duty, of discipline, everything…as he had felt and taken in just how Katsushiro's hands moved across his body – from squeezing the muscles in his shoulders to gently trailing up his throat until he reached his chin, the Okamoto's impossibly soft fingers against his skin had felt like some kind of divine blessing, an unworldly reprieve from all of his problems and worries so he may just simply accept such courageous, unreserved actions towards his person.
No one was able to touch Kyuzo the way in which Katsushiro had already succeeded, and his eyes…the green-haired man's voice had portrayed exactly what had been in his eyes; eyes that Kyuzo could still remember from meeting Katsushiro in the pond the other day where he beheld such a steadfast, resilient gaze that contained so much passion, so much untapped emotion that Kyuzo had thought that he would be consumed in a beautiful, striking sea of jade should he stare for too long.
But why?
For what reasons were Katsushiro's gazes so intense towards him, so significant with unmentioned meanings and purposes that glinted against a deep green canvas?
What would explain those lingering touches against his skin that screamed for something else, something more – such meaning behind Katsushiro's evident desire to touch Kyuzo's body and be able to feel his warmth, his existence was a puzzle in itself to the typically alone and unapproachable samurai.
Why was the Okamoto ultimately trying to get closer to the ever-collected and statuesque Kyuzo?
Kyuzo mercilessly turned these questions and more over and over inside his mind, before a gasp was suddenly stolen from his lips and his stunning, crimson eyes rose up from lingering on his tea as the black-clad warrior suddenly recalled something else, something…that he had thought had only been a dream.
"…I have to; I can't go on if I don't…you're just so…beautiful…"
X
Author's Note: I can't believe I'm doing this. XD What can I say; I just re-watched the anime, and I was like…yeah, I'll write another story lol. Anywho, PLEASE drop me line and let me know how I'm doing and where you think I should take this story. THANKS!!!