Kouji no Kokoro
by Lola
Chapter 1: Much Ado About a Comb.
A.N: This is my first Fushigi Yuugi fic so please be gentle...^^;
Diluted red light streamed through the silken curtains fluttering at the sides of the carriage. Within, a single maiden. The guards accompanying her on horseback an indication of the lady's importance. Or at least of her wealth.
A sigh escaped painted lips as tired eyes peered through the ruby light, straining to see the mountains beyond. Guards spoke in hushed whispers. The pace quickened. The lady's breathing quickened involuntarily. Danger was near. The back of her neck tingled. The horses flicked their ears back and forth warily and slowly conversation drizzled to a halt.
A sudden burst of movement. A horse's whiny. The carriage jolted forward and to the side, sending the lady to her knees, gripping with pale hands onto satin cushions. Men's voices shouting. The clash of steel on steel. Flurried movement fleetingly perceived through the slits in the drapes.
And order echoed throughout the clearing. A command to stop the carriage. Hooves pounded as wild horses careened. Then jerked to a halt.
The maiden slowly reached within the folds of her sash for a well placed blade. She could hear more horses approaching, her men or the enemy. That voice again, the commanding one. A ways off. Swallowing hard the lady reached up to push aside the filmy curtains, hoping to assess the situation.
She fell back in surprise; tanned fingers pulled back the curtains roughly. Wild hair the blue-grey of a stormy sky greeted her. Shock widened his eyes easily matching the lady's own bewildered expression. The man rocked back, calling over his shoulder.
"Oi Genrou! It's just a woman!"
The one named Genrou muttered some profanity regarding his bad luck and his hatred for women as the blue haired bandit smirked and turned back to their captive. Only to meet the lady's tightly curled fist as it sailed forward, connecting with his jaw.
"What the f-?!".
A few bandits snickered as the felled man staggered back, clutching his jaw. Hardly wasting a moment, the woman leapt out of the carriage, dagger drawn and ready, flashing in the orange light of sundown as she made a wild dash towards the forest.
She heard pounding footsteps behind her, she only had a moment before they'd be upon her. Skittering to a stop she spun on her heel and thrust forward with her dagger. Her pursuer, the man she had punched, moved out of the way of the slash and seized her wrist. One well placed squeeze and the dagger fell from her grasp.
"What th'hell do ya think yer doin'?!" The man scolded as he held firmly to both of her wrists.
Eyes darting back and forth wildly she squiggled.
The man frowned, "Oi, calm down would ya?"
Her eyes darted from her captor to the man who joined him; grinning fangs bared and jewels tinkling as he moved.
"Kouji, ya alright?"
Kouji nodded slowly, not taking his eyes off the woman before him.
His eyes were fixed on something in her hair. A comb. Her elaborate hairstyle having been jostled slightly in the attack, it dangled from her hair, shining dimly in the fading light.
Her eyes were on the other bandit, the leader apparently as he explained the situation, how she wasn't in danger, they weren't going to harm her, had mistaken her for a wealthy merchant, though he said all this interjected with many colourful expletives.
And yet the one named Kouji had yet to release her.
Kouji blinked and nodded, slowly letting go of the woman's wrists. "Your men will regain consciousness soon, then ya can leave," Genrou's voice faded as he walked away, black coat flowing behind him.
The lady blinked in confusion then bent for her dagger only to find Kouji's boot firmly holding it to the earth.
Tentatively she raised her eyes to his, "My blade?"
He arched a brow as if considering then winked, "For a price".
Pale cheeks flushed as he knelt and reached a hand out towards her face. She closed her eyes tightly.
She felt a wave of warmth against her face as he leaned forward. A slight tingle as his fingers twisted into her hair for a moment, gentle.
And then the cold swept back. Hitting her face and forcing her to shiver a little. He was gone. Her dagger lay in the grass. No trace of any of the bandits remained. Sheathing her weapon she surveyed the scene once more. Her guards still lay moaning. The horses were crazing absently. Nothing seemed missing. Strange....
And she had always been taught to fear the Mt. Leikaku bandits. And yet true to the leader's words they hadn't harmed her.
Striding towards one of the horses she smiled a little. The bandits had done her a favour without knowing it. She cast a quick glance over her shoulder; the guards were still prone and in pain, too weak to stop her. If she should choose to leave....
A tiny smile graced her painted lips as she mounted her horse and sped off, back the way she came, to freedom, and to home.
********
Kouji stood at the window to his room, the fading light bathing the chamber in obscurity. One booted foot rested on the sill as he leaned partially out the window. Eyes narrowed, lost in thought. The revelry from the mess hall a distant echo at the back of his mind.
Reaching into his pocket his fingers closed around a decorative comb. He slid it out, holding it between two fingers. Turning it slightly to catch the dim light. Polished tortoise shell inlaid with gold and jade, carved to shape a tiny peony with streams of garnet adorned gold dangling from it.
Priceless.
Beautiful.
"Oi Kouji!!! Ya ever gonna come outta there?"
He blinked, startled by the loud knock and the impatience in Genrou's voice.
His fist closed around the comb tightly. His own voice sounded unsteady to his ears as he called out for his friend and leader to enter.
Light pooled from the hallway onto the stone of the chamber floor.
"What the fuck?! Why's it so blasted dark in here? Ya sleepin'?"
The former warrior of Suzaku leaned against the doorway as his best friend lit the oil lamp on the night table. Shadows danced across the walls.
"So ya gonna tell me what's going on?"
Kouji laughed, a hollow sound.
"You make it sound like somethin's wrong."
Genrou shrugged off his long coat and tossed it on Kouji's bed, "Ain't it? Yer all pensive and shit, it's weird."
Kouji smiled then tossed something at Genrou. There was a brief sparkle as the flame haired bandit snatched it from the air.
"Wassis?" Genrou arched a thin brow as he turned over the glittering object in his hand. "It's a comb...".
Kouji nodded and went to stand at the window once more.
Genrou stared at his friend's back then back at the comb, at a loss. "I don't get it".
Turning it towards the light he let out a low whistle, "But I do know it'd fetch a good price".
Kouji sighed; "I didn't take it to sell it".
"No?"
"No."
"Oh....". Genrou shrugged and placed the comb on the table; "It's a shame".
Kouji picked it back up, running his thumb over the polished jade, pain lingering in his eyes.
Genrou watched in silence trying his best to exercise that little thing known as delicacy, which Nuriko had often pointed out, that he lacked.
"Uh...hey I know! That was in that onna's hair! The one that hit ya today! Ya liked her or somethin'?"
Kouji's response was a half-hearted snort. "Yes it was that girl's...but no I did not take it cuz I liked her ya idiot!"
He held up the comb to catch the light, "This comb...I didn't know why at first but when I saw it, I knew I had to have it. It struck somethin' deep inside me Genrou."
Genrou shifted in his seat on the bed; "Uh...I don't think it'd suit yer hair Kouji-"
"Ahou!" Kouji muttered as he ground his fist into his younger friend's head. "It was my Kaa-chan's."
Genrou's almond shaped eyes widened, "Yer mother's?"
Kouji nodded solemnly.
His friend frowned a little, "Ya sure? I mean, what if this woman just happened to have the same one? It happens ya know."
"No! This was my mother's! I'm sure! I've been thinkin' about it all night." Kouji dug his fingers into his hair in frustration, "Ya may think I'm crazy but...look I know. My old man carved that thing himself as a betrothal gift to my ma. There aren't any others."
Genrou patted his friend's shoulder reassuringly, "I believe ya Kouji".
Kouji let out a long sigh, the breath stirring his wild bangs.
"Don't look so glum buddy! 'Sides, now ya've got it back right? Yer mother'd be happy". Genrou grabbed his coat and stood with a flourish, "Now how's about a nice round of sake before bed?"
Genrou's fanged grin was nothing if not infectious and so Kouji found himself grinning like an idiot, marching down the halls with his best friend, looking forward to some serious drinking.
********
Dusk had blossomed into night as the lone rider crested the hill overlooking her village sprawling in the valley below.
Home.
She reached up to pat her hair. A comforting, reassuring gesture that always seemed to calm her. Unconsciously done yet necessary. Her fingers slid through silken strands then froze.
Missing. Her comb was missing?!
Her mind raced as her heart seized with panic. That comb, the symbol of who she was, the only connection left to herself to....
She swore fervently.
Not missing, stolen.
"That blasted bandit stole my comb!!"
The feel of his fingers in her hair flooded her mind. He had said she could have her dagger at a price but when he leaned forward she had assumed he'd meant to kiss her. A natural assumption. She was a helpless maiden, adorned in riches, innocent and possessing all the freshness of a newly blossomed peony gilded in dew. Why wouldn't some ruffian want to kiss her?
Growling in frustration at her stupidity to think the man was simply satisfied with tucking some stray hairs from her face, she dug her heels into her horse's flanks and wheeled it around. Back towards Mt. Leikaku.
"He'd better pray he hasn't sold it or I swear I'll kill him".
********
Covers twisted about Kouji's legs as he fidgeted in his sleep. Caught in the seductive embrace of memories. Haunting the mind as it sleeps in an alcohol induced stupor.
~He was ten...thirteen years ago...so long ago and yet the images were so vivid. His mother, so beautiful, hair spun from the darkest sapphire, placing the comb in his hands. Sadness in her eyes. Kouji, too young to understand. A family whose funds had fallen short, unable to pay their stipends to the town headman. Struggling. Trying to support their child. Having to sell all that was precious. The comb was the last of many sacrifices. Meant to trade for some food.
Kouji was to go to the market and get it.
He never made it to the food cart.
The sound of whimpering snared his curiosity and so he followed the faint sound to an alley. Dirty, quiet and deserted by all but two figures.
Curled in a ball, a girl. Hunched over the form of a prone man. She was not a day more than seven, crying. Large tears pooled from bright green eyes. Those eyes. Always he would remember those eyes. The colour of jade. So rare. That pale skin streaked with tears. Hair dishevelled, blood painting her lips red from a cut. Crumpled. A broken doll.
He knelt beside her and cocked his head to the side, "Daijobu ka? Why are ya cryin' like that?"
She turned those grief filled eyes towards him, "My papa...".
"Did he hurt ya?"
More tears swelled from her eyes as she shook her head, "I c-couldn't save him...I..."her gaze drifted towards her hands which were also covered in blood then to the man she was leaning over. "I-I wasn't strong enough! Now mommy's gonna be alone...".
Kouji did the only thing he could; he gathered the small girl in his arms and let her cry. Looking over the girl's small shoulders he saw the man, presumably her father, bleeding from what seemed a nasty wound in his chest. Kouji swallowed hard.
So much blood. He never knew...so much blood....
"I-I'll take ya home..." he said uncertainly, his own voice cracking.
The girl looked up, inky streams of black plastered to her face. Kouji laughed.
"How're ya supposed to see with hair like that?" His tiny fingers plunged into his pocket. Fishing out the comb he scooped away some of the girl's long bangs with it and tucked it with childlike seriousness in her hair.
Satisfied with the result Kouji stepped back and offered his hand, "Now, don't cry anymore 'k?"
The girl reached up, gingerly feeling the comb in her hair, then nodded and flung herself back into Kouji's arms, "Arigatou!!!!"~
His hands were fisted into his blankets as predawn light streaked into his room. He moaned and turned trying to hide. How was he to know he'd never see that girl again? That his mother would be upset that he gave away the comb that had been a betrothal gift? That his parents would die within the next year?
Reality caught up to him fast in those days so now he'd fight it as long as he could. He inhaled deeply. Knowing he should get up...but dreading leaving the warmth of his bed where dreams still danced in his vision, vivid. Where his parents were still alive....
He winced as his door was roughly flung open and he was prodded none too gently.
"Get out Genrou, I'm still tired..."he mumbled.
His eyes flew open as he felt cold steel pressed against his neck.
"First of all, I'm not Genrou, and second, I don't care if you're tired!"
A woman? Kouji's eyes darted to his assailant and widened in disbelief.
"O-omae?!"
Any other words were cut off as the woman clamped a hand over his mouth and poked him with the dagger meaningfully.
Under normal circumstances, having a pretty girl on top of him would have been amusing and well enjoyable but when her eyes were filled with rage and there were blades involved.... that was Genrou's department. He lay still, though his mind was reeling with questions about how this girl had gotten inside the fortress.
"My comb! Where is it?"
Kouji blinked lazily and shrugged nonchalantly. The girl's bright green eyes flashed. She raised the dagger as if to strike, that was all the opportunity the skilled bandit needed. He was hardly about to be bested by some lady draped in finery! Wrapping both his legs around her waist and an arm around her shoulders he twisted violently, sending them both crashing to the floor.
The breath was blasted from the woman as she landed on her back. She gasped as Kouji's weight landed on her, crushing. Her long black hair pooled onto the floor. She vaguely wondered why she hadn't hurt her head that much in the fall, considering the floor was stone....
She blinked a few times, trying to orient herself. Kouji knelt over her, simply staring at her, her dagger lay a few feet away. She realized it must have skittered across the floor when she fell. She felt something at the back of her head, gently raising her. Kouji's hand. She let this sink in. He had shielded her head when they landed. She looked back into his eyes, her cheeks flushing.
The intensity of his gaze would have melted stone. And considering how hot she felt at the moment, she wasn't sure he hadn't melted the floor she lay on. He was examining her, eyes trailing over every detail of her face.
Pale skin now flushed, lips still slightly reddened from cosmetics, green eyes, dark lashes, long black hair, and jade earrings. He reached out a finger to flick one of the earrings, curious. Watching mesmerized as it twirled and sparkled. Next his fingers trailed over the gold necklace she wore. Gold chain interspersed with red crystals in the shape of tears. His eyes swept down her neck to her chest. It rose and fell rapidly. Clad in layers of blushing silk. She couldn't be....
And yet those eyes.
A sharp stinging slap across his cheek jolted him out of his reverie. He reached up to touch the sore skin and eyed her in irritation.
"What the hell was that for?! Yer the one who attacked me!"
"You stole my comb!!" she retorted angrily, sitting up and pointing at him accusingly.
He rolled his eyes, "Tch. Another bauble, ya've got plenty."
Her fists clenched as she trembled, "I'm only going to say this once. Give. Me. My. Comb. NOW!!"
He crossed his arms over his chest. "Well ya can't have it, it was a fair trade. Yer dagger for the comb".
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, "My comb. Give it back."
Not about to hand over the precious heirloom, he shrugged, "I can't, I already sold it."
Her lips parted in silent denial. "H-how could you...? Such, such a precious thing...".
Kouji's eyebrows rose in surprise. He wasn't expecting such an emotional reaction.
"Uh...".
Her gaze shot back up and he froze. Cold. Angry. Eyes seeking vengeance.
"Now," she began slowly, her deathly calm voice sending shivers down Kouji's spine, "I have to kill you."
********
To be continued....
Mwahahahahahahahahahaha!!! If you like it let me know. Or else, what would be the point in continuing ne? Please review ^^!!! I know there wasn't any romance yet...but it'll be there eventually. Oh and a big thanks to Red for encouraging me with this!! Domo arigatou gozaimasu!!! And of course thanks go out to Kouji for letting me write a story about him *giggles* ~.^.