*IMPORTANT Author's Note*
I finally figured out how to edit it! This was the first fanfic I ever posted on the internet, and though it was received quite well, I felt it needed some tweaking. I've totally revamped it and though it's completed, to keep new readers guessing, I've turned this into a multichapter story. Anywho, I obviously don't own Fushigi Yuugi (if a disclaimer is necessary). Do enjoy and please review. I live for reviews.
Some Good Deeds go Unpunished
Ryuuen could not stop staring. He gawked, eyes wide, cheeks flushed, mouth agape at the beautiful new transfer student who had entered the room not ten minutes ago. Seated three rows to the right and four seats ahead of him, the boy had not seen Ryuuen, exotic though he was, but Ryuuen was free to let his gaze burn hazily into the back of his chestnut-covered head. The boy's dark hair was tied in a loose tail over his shoulders, the tips brushing his waist.
"He must brush it as much as I do mine," Ryuuen thought, fingering his own thick, purple braid. "If only I could see that face again!" He almost moaned aloud.
Whack! The ruler came down hard on Ryuuen's head. "Chou!" cried Manami-sensei, the English teacher. "Daydreaming in my class?" The teacher shouted at him. Had Ryuuen really been so enthralled by the other boy he hadn't even noticed the teacher's approach? Ryuuen thought to himself, that isn't a good sign. Using his ruler, Manami-sensei pointed to the dry erase board behind him. "Translate that sentence!"
All eyes were on him, including the golden ones of the new boy he had just been admiring. But there was something strange about the way he looked at Ryuuen. Recognition and shock were clearly etched on his face. Their eyes met, and Ryuuen raised an eyebrow. Was the other boy merely reacting to his good looks? No, that wasn't it at all. There was also pain in his face, pain Ryuuen could not explain. But he would make sense of all that later, when he introduced himself. They would be friends, if Ryuuen had anything to say about it, and with any luck, much, much more.
Ryuuen flicked his eyes to the sentence on the board.
"Please pick me up from the train station tomorrow night at seven," he read, accent thick, but diction clear and confident. And to get back at Manami-sensei for embarrassing him in front of the class, he added, in perfect English, "Forgive me, Manami-sensei, for not paying attention. It will not happen again." Ryuuen tossed his teacher a flirtatious wink; even though Ryuuen chose not to sit in the front, he just so happened to be the best student in the class.
"That will do, Chou," said Manami-sensei, obviously flustered. That boy is too damn pretty for his own good.
Ryuuen could feel the transfer student staring at him still, trying to catch his eye. How quickly the tables had turned. Ryuuen turned to look at him.
"Hi," he mouthed to the other boy, with a tiny wave. The other boy returned the greeting with a brilliant smile. Ryuuen was completely taken aback. The boy was gorgeous. His whole face lit up when he smiled, his gold eyes brightened, and Ryuuen saw that within they were flecked with green and brown. Ryuuen giggled. "Wait for me after class," he mouthed slowly, making sure the other boy understood every word.
The bell couldn't ring quickly enough, for either of them. After class, by the time Ryuuen bent down to put his books in his bag and straightened up again, the new boy was there beside him. Ryuuen smiled.
"Hi," said he. He looked so eager, as if he wanted to pounce on Ryuuen and squeeze him until his arms hurt.
"Hi," said Ryuuen. "I'm Chou Ryuuen; you?" The other boy's mouth dropped open at this. Ryuuen was puzzled. What was so shocking about an introduction? Had he somehow offended his new classmate?
"You…you-you…!" he spluttered. Something very much like horror flashed across his face, marring his beautiful features. "You don't know who I am?" he managed breathlessly.
"Should I?" asked Ryuuen. "You just transferred here, right?"
"Yes, but…"
"What's wrong?" Ryuuen asked quickly, placing a hand on the other boy's arm.
"Nothing…" He said, composing himself with one deep breath. Ryuuen didn't buy it, but he didn't know the other boy well enough to know whether or not to press the issue. "My name is Seishuku Saihitei," he said, inclining his head politely. Ryuuen was surprised by the sudden formality. An awkward silence followed that Ryuuen didn't know how to fill. "Forgive me, Chou-san, I-"
"Please, call me Ryuuen, or Ryuuen-kun, or whatever." Ryuuen interrupted with a grin. "We're classmates now, remember?"
"Ryuuen," Saihitei said hesitantly, then flashed him another brilliant smile. In light of their strange conversation, Ryuuen had forgotten just how beautiful Saihitei was, but that smile nearly made him go weak in the knees.
Saihitei's said smile faded, promptly replaced with a blush as Ryuuen's entire demeanor changed. The smaller boy leaned close to him, uncomfortably close; close enough for Saihitei to smell the sweet scent of his hair. Ryuuen raised a delicate hand to Saihitei's face and lifted a stray strand of hair, letting his finger's brush his cheek. Saihitei almost shivered, his golden eyes wide and fixed on Ryuuen's amethyst orbs. Ryuuen's eyes glittered coyly up at him, for the purple-haired boy was considerably shorter than Saihitei, and the look on his face, wide-eyed, apparent innocence despoiled by a sultry glint deep within, was nothing short of sexy.
Saihitei tore his eyes away. He looked at the floor, anywhere but Ryuuen's face. It would not do to get aroused just from the boy's expression. However, on the journey to the floor, his gaze was riveted by Ryuuen's exposed collarbone, where he had left his uniform shirt unbuttoned. The pale flesh looked soft and inviting, and Saihitei had the insane urge to touch him. Saihitei flushed at the boldness of his thoughts. A small smirk tugged at the corner of Ryuuen's lips. He's totally into me, he thought.
"And what should I call you, Seishuku-san?" Ryuuen practically purred. Saihitei cleared his throat.
"Just Saihitei…or Sai, if you like."
"You're very beautiful, Sai," said Ryuuen. Saihitei looked surprised but evidently pleased, as that endearing pink flush spread over his cheeks again. Saihitei swallowed.
"You are exquisite," Saihitei countered, meeting Ryuuen's eye. The smaller boy raised an eyebrow.
"You think so?" he asked, not looking at all as if he really doubted the statement.
"Oh yes…Where did you get this unique hair color?"
"My father, actually. Both my brother and sister have the same."
"Hmm…" Saihitei looked at his watch. The two of them were still very close together and nice as it was, classes had been out long enough.
"Ryuuen, could I give you a ride home?" Saihitei offered. "Unless you would rather stay and talk here, which I would be willing to oblige." Saihitei laughed lightly, his baritone voice smooth and playful.
"Wow! You have a car! That is so cool!" Ryuuen gushed.
"Do you like cars?" Ryuuen didn't know it yet, but Saihitei had money. He came from a very affluent family, and though it usually burdened him, he would use anything to impress the exotic young man beaming up at him.
"Sure, I guess I like them. Um, I'd love a ride, if you don't mind. But…I've got a lot of homework to do and I could use a study partner." Ryuuen grinned invitingly and Saihitei wouldn't have turned him down to save his own mother, though that wasn't saying much.
"I would love that; how about my place?"
"Sounds great," said Ryuuen. "Just let me get my bag."
"Wow! Sai, you drive a Porsche!" Ryuuen gaped at Saihitei for a moment, then ran over to the sleek red car to gush some more. Saihitei smiled proudly, but not about the car. It was the fact that Ryuuen had adopted the casual nickname for him so quickly and effortlessly.
It warmed his heart, but a part of him felt cold and empty. As he watched Ryuuen run his fingers over the car, with long-fingered, graceful hands, his lithe body slender and fragile, his long violet braid hanging past his backside and swinging with every movement, his face flushed with the glow of the afternoon sun, Saihitei felt love; love the other boy couldn't possible feel for him. And for one painful moment, Saihitei allowed himself to wish he could hear the fey young man call him "Hotohori-sama" just one more time.
Saihitei drove well and fast. At Ryuuen's request he left the top down, as he also preferred, and to his ultimate pleasure and torture, the gorgeous boy beside him undid his braid to let his hair blow freely in the wind. Ryuuen took the opportunity to stretch luxuriously in the plush leather seats, tilt his head back and moan deeply.
"This feels wonderful, Sai! You are so lucky!"Ryuuen turned to look at him with one eye closed, pretending he didn't notice the effect he was having on the driver.
"It's not so much. Not until you decided to grace it with your presence." Ryuuen laughed airily.
It was such a comfortable situation Ryuuen didn't want to ruin it with thoughts. But they kept coming. Saihitei was too beautiful for words, literal perfection. Something deep, deep inside of him was inexorably drawn to him. This was strange, because they had only just met, but he felt like he had known him for some time. It felt natural, being with him, and not to mention the physical attraction. There was chemistry there. Back in the classroom, inches apart, eyes locked, Ryuuen had wanted so badly to kiss him deeply, run his fingers through that magnificent head of hair, possess him; and he had felt lust practically emanating from Saihitei as well.
They drove past Ryuuen's street, which he pointed out to Saihitei. Only a few blocks away, they turned into one of the city's wealthiest suburban neighborhoods. Ryuuen glanced nervously at Saihitei. Just how much money did this guy have? Of course they pulled up to the largest home on the street. Upon arriving at the gate it appeared modest enough, but when the mechanized wood partitions slid apart, a traditional Japanese style mansion was revealed, set far back on the grounds, made up at least six separate buildings, connected by colorful roofing. Saihitei saw Ryuuen's gaping mouth before he could shut it and instead of feeling smug, looked as though he wanted to apologize.
He parked outside the main house which was of modern build, a mixture of Western and Japanese design. It was made of stone and was, Ryuuen noted, at least three times bigger than his own home. Like a proper gentleman, Saihitei insisted he open the door for Ryuuen, teasing him lightheartedly about his feminine appearance and hinting at the fact that, however, it was Ryuuen's distinct maleness that made him so appealing.
Saihitei led him inside, sending a maid for snacks for them. He showed Ryuuen where to leave his shoes and handed him a pair of slippers left out for guests, then led him directly through the house, out the back doors, across the perfectly manicured courtyard, and into one of the adjacent buildings somewhere to the left, another modern home, hidden among more traditional ones. Saihitei offered little information as to a tour. He seemed embarrassed by the grandeur of his home the same way another might be embarrassed by the poverty of their own. They went upstairs to the master bedroom, which was Saihitei's. In fact, Ryuuen learned, the whole house was reserved for his use.
His room was huge, spotless, tastefully decorated in reds and browns. There was a sitting room and the bedroom and bath were adjoining. Saihitei threw his bag down on a red couch in the sitting room and then threw himself down as well.
"Please, make yourself at home. Are you hungry; thirsty? Don't worry; the maid will be here soon." By the way he was fussing, it was clear that Saihitei was nervous. Ryuuen knelt on the carpet, his whole body tingling. Now that they were getting settled in the beautiful, strange, amazing boy's bedroom, the butterflies sank in.
"So, Sai, this is some place," Ryuuen said, trying not to sound too impressed, having noticed Saihitei's embarrassment. "Are your parents home? He didn't know if it would be forward to ask to meet them so soon.
"My parents are divorced," Saihitei supplied. Ryuuen winced.
"I'm sorry."
"No, it's no big deal," he insisted, waving his hand absently. "My father owns a rather large chain of resort hotels…among other things. He lives there, wherever he pleases, with whomever he pleases," Saihitei added bitterly. "My mother, on the other hand, lives here, but I see very little of her. She's very involved in her own affairs. In fact, I think she said something about going to Brazil. She might've left already." He trailed off, tracing an invisible pattern on the couch cushion.
Ryuuen felt sudden sadness for Sai. Sure, his family was nowhere near as rich as Saihitei's but they loved each other. He couldn't imagine living together without speaking to his brother and sister or having his mother leave the country without telling him.
Now Saihitei was saying something about his own siblings being scattered throughout the world. He had two adult sisters, on his mother's side, living with him here, who he rarely made contact with. They had been in their twenties when Saihitei was born, and lived in content seclusion on the other side of the property. He knew of three older half-brothers on his father's side, and one on the way, the product of his father's fourth marriage. Not to mention the countless bastard children his father had sired worldwide. Saihitei was the only male product of his mother and father's marriage, and as such, his mother had secured quite a fortune for the both of them, plus shares of her ex-husband's company.
What a lonely life he must lead, Ryuuen realized. Some of Ryuuen's sadness must have shown on his face, for Saihitei smiled at him and shrugged. Sai absently tugged on his ponytail, freeing the dark mane, and shook it until it settled gracefully down his back. Ryuuen felt his heart beat faster. Gods, this man was beautiful!
The maid knocked on the door. She efficiently laid out the food and tea service. She had brought a nice selection of after school snacks consisting of pocky, packaged candies, potato chips, fruits, vegetables, cheese and two steaming cups of instant noodles. How delicious it all looked. But not more delicious than Sai, Ryuuen thought. He was hungry for him, thirsting for his flesh, starving for his hot, strong hands on him.
Ryuuen was not used to getting so worked up. He was a very sexual being. He'd experimented a lot, with a lot of different people, and gone all the way his first year in high school. He flirted with both men and women. Sex, he could handle, flirting he could handle, but this anxiety, this uncertainty, was new and maddening.
"Are you hungry?" Saihitei asked again, gesturing to the trays. Ryuuen forced a smile.
"Sure. I'm just not sure where to start!" Saihitei laughed amiably. Ryuuen grabbed a package of pocky and some noodles while Saihitei poured the tea. Their books lie forgotten in a corner. As they ate, Ryuuen dished about all the latest gossip at school; who Saihitei should get to know, and who he should avoid, which teachers were best, and which clubs were most popular. They discussed everything from current events to where they grew up. The longest and farthest Ryuuen had ever been away from his hometown had been his aunt's house in the countryside, where they'd stayed for two weeks for his grandmother's funeral.
Saihitei, on the other hand, had been all over. Through cruise ships, school trips, expensive vacations, and the many moves his mother liked to make, Saihitei had lived in Paris and most recently, Tokyo, vacationed in Thailand, and been to China, America, Russia, and Australia. His international travels did not even include the many cities and provinces he had traveled to and lived in within Japan. Ryuuen was very impressed. He was a very free spirit and dreamed of traveling the world one day.
As they talked, they discovered that they had similar views on politics and liked the same types of movies and food. When it came to music and books however, the two differed completely. Saihitei had been raised on classical and traditional Japanese music. But on any given day, Ryuuen could be found blasting anything from Jpop to Opera. His tastes varied with his mood. As for books, Saihitei was a very sophisticated reader, perusing nothing but historical and political biographies. His mother had handed him little else as a child. Ryuuen, on the other hand, wasn't much of a reader. He read his school books as they came along, but he stuck to manga and fashion magazines for pleasure reading.
Saihitei could not take his eyes off Ryuuen. A grin was fixed onto his face, even when they talked about serious stuff. The lithe boy lay on his stomach, propped up by his elbows, feet in the air. He was chewing adorably on a stick of pocky, while listening to Saihitei speak with rapt attention.
The more Ryuuen learned about Saihitei, the more he liked him. He was visually breathtaking, with equally beautiful manners. The way he sat, the way he ate, even his pattern of speech, was formal, but somehow relaxed at the same time. As if he were born with class. And it didn't help that so perfect a human being was looking at him with unadulterated adoration in his eyes; as if he were the perfect one. He couldn't take it anymore. He decided to take action.
"Sai?" Ryuuen asked, scooting closer to Saihitei until he reached the foot of the couch.
"Yes?" Saihitei's voice was husky and he looked at Ryuuen hungrily, hoping he was about to get a taste of what he most wanted. Ryuuen smiled subtly.
"Sai, I'm attracted to you. And I don't think I would be here if you didn't feel the same way…" he looked up at Saihitei. For some reason he had been too preoccupied with his fingernails to look him in the face when he spoke. As he gazed into the other man's honey orbs, Sai's hand cupped his cheek, rubbing gently.
"Ryuuen," he whispered.
Both hearts pounding, their lips met. It was passion and sweetness and gentle yet possessive. They kissed and kissed and kissed and the feeling was so intense, so erotic, so intimate. Ryuuen's hands cupped Saihitei's face while the taller man held Ryuuen's shoulders, crushing him to his chest. When Saihitei pushed his tongue into Ryuuen's hot, sweet mouth, the smaller boy threw his arms around Saihitei's neck, and with surprising strength, sent him tumbling from the couch to the floor, chestnut hair spilling over his chest, over Ryuuen, and mixing with the other boy's dark purple locks, forming an interesting swirl.
Still, the two did not break apart, only their kisses grew more urgent due to the increased physical contact. Their two bodies pressed as closely together as humanly possible through their school uniforms. They began bumping and rubbing against each other, hisses and grunts replacing the soft moans and purrs they'd emitted only moments before. The kisses grew bruising, passion overriding gentility, and furthermore, the need thereof.
Ryuuen's hands roamed beneath Saihitei's uniform shirt, finding a nipple and brushing over it until it was hard then pinching and roiling, and exploring the smooth, hard planes of his back and abdomen. He squeezed Saihitei's ass when Sai dipped down to kiss and suck on his neck and collarbone. Gods, he could kiss Saihitei forever! And he would. Nothing short of an earthquake would-Ryuuen and Saihitei pushed each other away quickly as the maid again knocked on the door.
"Forgive the intrusion, Seishuku-san. You have a phone call from your father's secretary." Saihitei snorted in response. Always a secretary, never his father.
"Would you take a message?" Saihitei said dismissively, his eyes locked on Ryuuen's.
"Forgive me, but she insists that it is very urgent."
"I am with a guest. I will make sure to see to it as soon as possible." Without any further protests, she bowed demurely and left.
The moment the maid closed the door behind her, the two boys leapt at each other like leopards fighting over territory. Once they returned to the floor, Saihitei on top again, they continued where they left off. Ryuuen's deft fingers found the buttons of Saihitei's shirt and with a wordless glance, received acquiescence to undo them. It was all Ryuuen could to keep his head from exploding at the sight of that perfect, toned chest. Which head would do the actual exploding, he was not sure.
He looked up at Saihitei to find those breathtaking eyes watching him, cloudy with lust and impatience, but full of warmth and affection for him alone. How good that felt, to see that look in Saihitei's eyes and know that it was for him. He attacked Saihitei's chest with his lips, raking his teeth across it, making Saihitei writhe and squirm and make the most delicious sounds.
His erection was straining against his pants and had been since they were alone in their shared classroom at school. He knew it must be the same for Saihitei, but that would have to wait. This was too good. Kissing was enough…for now.
He worked his way back up to Saihitei's lips, digging his fingernails into his back and licking, biting, sucking; kissing everything he could reach on the way: his nipples, shoulders, neck, ears… He was so ready to surrender, surrender to this man he had met just an hour ago-Oh, but it felt like so much longer! It had to be. Whenever he met Saihitei's passion clouded eyes, he felt love, love that felt as natural and as ancient as…as Ancient China itself.
Saihitei had long since worked open Ryuuen's shirt, and with their two bare chests pressed together, heat seemed to engulf them, encase them; overtake them. Heat spread from his groin to his belly to his chest where his heart was pounding so hard it hurt. He could feel the rush of blood in his veins, boiling hot. He heard Saihitei's harsh breathing and whimpers- Gods, he was going to cum just listening to him breathe!
And then suddenly, it was all a dream. It was just a fantasy Nuriko was watching behind heavy eyelids seeping tears. He lay in bed at the palace clad in thin purple robes.
"Oh, Hotohori-sama," Nuriko kept whispering, "Oh, how I love you!"
"Hotohori-sama, Ryuuen whispered against Saihitei's mouth, unknowingly. Saihitei tensed, moaned deep in his throat, and kissed Ryuuen with renewed fervor.
"Nuriko," he murmured. "I've found you! Nuriko! Nuriko!"
Ryuuen went limp against Saihitei, the heat leaving his body. Saihitei had just called out a name that didn't belong to him. He felt sick. Had Saihitei been using him all this time? Had the lust and love he'd seen in Saihitei's eyes been for another after all? He pushed Saihitei away, utterly disgusted with himself.
"What's wrong?" Saihitei asked golden eyes full of worry. Ryuuen's eyes welled up with angry tears.
"Nothing, I'll just leave you alone now so you can go to him." Ryuuen stood, hurrying to go before the tears came.
"What? No! Go to who? Go to who?" Saihitei cried, also standing and grabbing Ryuuen's wrist.
"Nuriko. You've called his name enough times. You should tell him how you feel." He tried to pull out of Saihitei's grasp. "Let me go."
"But you-but you're!" Saihitei spluttered, confused and shocked. "I thought you-but you called me 'Hotohori-sama', how else would you know? You have to remember! You have to! I need you!"
"Remember what? What the hell are you talking about?" Ryuuen hurled at him, angry at himself for not being able to control the tears sliding over his cheeks and nose.
"Ryuuen…you are Nuriko," Saihitei declared without thinking. Ryuuen looked as if he wanted to hit him with a very heavy object. Saihitei spoke fast. "You're the reincarnation of a chosen celestial warrior of the God Suzaku, named Nuriko. I'm the reincarnation of another warrior, Hotohori. I've searched everywhere for you! You've got to remember!"
Saihitei was frantic. He knew he shouldn't be springing this news on Ryuuen so suddenly, but Ryuuen couldn't leave! Not now, not when Saihitei had only just found him! Not now, when things were going so good!
"Please, just sit down." He offered Ryuuen a chair.
But Ryuuen's face was livid. His porcelain complexion was marred by ugly red splotches appearing on his cheeks as evidence of his anger.
"How you can sit there and tell me this…bullshit to my face is fucking scary. This is ridiculous!"
"Ryuuen, I'm not lying!" Saihitei protested, horrified.
"Either that or you're insane!" Ryuuen held up a hand for silence as Saihitei opened his mouth to further protest. "Save it." And with that he stormed from the room. Saihitei ran after him.
"Please don't go! Ryuuen don't go! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please don't go!"
"Goodbye, Saihitei," Ryuuen's silky voice was ice.
"At least let me drive you-"
"I think I can manage!" Ryuuen shouted back.
It was a good thing Ryuuen's house was only a few blocks away, because a dramatic exit is only good as long it's convenient.