Genre: Angst/Romance and if there was a third category, I'd say drama, too

Pairing: Nuriko and Hotohori

Warnings: This story will eventually contain shonen ai and maybe yaoi, and also descriptions of physical and mental abuse. If that's not your cup of tea don't blame me if you read, because I have warned you. J I hope you like it, though. Hopefully it's not so bad.

PRISONERS

By Majandra

Nuriko stood at the edge of the throne room and watched.

He had long since stopped paying attention to what Hotohori was saying, speaking to his advisors with regard to the situation that had arisen with Kutou. He knew it was important, but he had long since stopped caring. All that seemed to matter was Hotohori; the smoothness of his skin, the almost feminine beauty of his features, the way he held his head. The flutter of his eyelashes as he spoke. The music of his voice, so gentle and yet so firm.

How he wanted to feel those smooth hands against his own, those eyelashes brush against his cheek, that voice addressing him, and him alone. Not formally, as it had of late. But kind words. They didn't even have to be words of love. In a perfect world, well, they would be. That seemed too much to hope for, however, and so…just kind words, a casual embrace, perhaps. He had longed for someone to hold him for so long, just to hold him and say they cared for him, that it didn't matter anymore if that person cared for him in a romantic sense. He would be a lover, a friend, a brother, a sister…anything to bring him closer to the beautiful emperor. Was it so much to ask for a little tenderness in his life? He'd had so little of it, it didn't seem fair.

His dreams of Hotohori-sama were not, as one might expect, filled with lust and subconscious erotic pleasures. No. The very thought of that made him blush, as Tasuki had discovered many times over. He dreamed of innocent kisses, holding hands in the moonlight, and sometimes, Hotohori-sama would tell him how much he loved him, how he had always loved him, and would never love anyone else. Hotohori-sama told him he was beautiful, and he shouldn't be ashamed when people teased him. But they were just dreams, and didn't mean anything.

As he watched the handsome man on the throne, though, he couldn't help but wonder if Hotohori had watched him in this way, and dreamed that maybe it was true.

With a sigh, he turned away from the throne, tearing his eyes away with difficulty. He couldn't keep doing this to himself. And yet…he thought it might be worse if he did.

He hadn't really talked to Hotohori since his gender had been revealed, and he didn't know if he ever would. It would be hard to avoid him in the palace, of course. But Hotohori-sama had to know he loved him; he'd practically said as much when he was dressed as a woman. So until Hotohori made the effort to talk to him, he wasn't keen on conversation concerning his transgression. It was safer just to dream.

He wondered how Tamahome and Miaka were doing. They had gone to visit Tamahome's family, and were supposed to be back that night. Nuriko missed them both. They were wonderful to talk to, and made him forget his own pains. Miaka always made him smile. She reminded him of his little sister, though she was a lot louder and much less refined than he knew Kourin would have been at her age.

On his way back to his own room, he saw Tasuki walking the opposite way, and stuck out his tongue in passing. The bandit glared at him, but knew he was just teasing. It was funny how naturally he and Tasuki had become friends. They were almost like brothers, but hadn't known each other for very long at all. Maybe it had to do with being seishi. Whatever it was, Nuriko welcomed it. It was nice to have a friend.

"Stick that thing out at me and you're gonna get it cut off," Tasuki growled at his expression.

"Aw, but Tasuki-chan, how could I make fun of you if I didn't have a tongue?"

"Wouldn't stop you from punching me into the nearest wall."

"Nope." Nuriko grinned, his musings on Hotohori fading. "Are Miaka and Tamahome back yet?"

Tasuki shrugged. "They can take their time, as far's I'm concerned. Lot less lovey dovey crap around here now they're gone."

"That's for sure…" Nuriko laughed, when he was interrupted by a shout coming from the direction of the throne room. Turning around quickly, his eyes went wide. "Hotohori-sama!"

"What the hell's going on?" Tasuki muttered, worried, when the ruckus didn't stop. As if thinking as one, the two seishi hurried to the throne room. Bursting through the doors, they saw Miaka frantically clinging to Hotohori's robes, tears running down her cheeks.

"Miaka!" Nuriko exclaimed, wondering what was wrong.

She turned quickly and ran to him, throwing her arms around his waist. "Nuriko!" she sobbed. "They took him! They took Tamahome!"

Horrified, Nuriko looked up into Hotohori's eyes.

"What happened?" he gasped, forgetting for once how nervous Hotohori made him feel in light of this new problem.

TO BE CONTINUED

A/N Hi guys! This is my first story ever (I don't write a lot) so I hope you like it so far! It probably needs work and stuff but thanks for ignoring that for now. Haha. I think I rushed the last part and I'm sorry it's so short. I do have plans for where I want this to go and all you fans of Nuriko and Hotohori, hang on, because they're gonna get together. J Thanks for reading my story and review if you want to, but you don't have to. Ja!