Okay, this is supposed to be yaoi (Tasuki x Kouji), but I'll continue it if at least one person review this. I would be sooo glad... ^^
And again, I don't own the characters. FY exists thanks to the creative mind of Watase Yuu. Ando so does Tasuki and Kouji. *droools*
~mana-chan~
Chapter One
- Damn you, Toshi, can't yer do anything right ?
Kouji's eyes were almost spitting fire. He felt like knocking down the other bandit just from staring at him. How could he have done something so stupid like that, letting the group be discovered ? They had to come back to Mt.Reikaku with bare hands, without money plus starving.
- Gomen ne, I didn't mean to ... - Kouji held the man by his shirt.
- Enough with your excuses. - said Kouji, letting go of the bandit. - It's over now, anyway.
Failure was na uninvited word those days. But with the war going on between Konan and Kutou, food had become scarse and expensive too. Whether they fought to survive or starved to death, it was all in Kouji's hands. He was the leader after all. That's why he felt so upset over even the smallest mistakes their group made.
Toshi sighed, watching together to the other bandits as Kouji sat bu the fire, burying his head in his hands. Kouji let escape a small sigh, ignoring the presence of the others. He lied down, staring at the sky. The sunset sun lit Kouji's face, making him look even younger. The only thing that pointed out the harsh life they had was that so familiar scar in Kouji's face.
No one could find any words to say. Their boss looked miserable this way, his eyes gazing at nothing, the desolate look in his young, handsome face. Not much time ago, wasn't he just a teenager ? When Genrou was with them. Apart from his young looks, after Genrou left, Kouji had aged a lot. As well as his fisionomy, he looked like a grown up man now.
- Hey chief, we're all sorry for what happened, we ... - one of the bandits started, but was interrupted when Toshi shook his head, making a sign for him to stop. That wasn't the right time for that kind of talk. They were all surprised, though, when they heard Kouji answering.
- No bother. It's not yer fault. Thing's been that difficult lately for everyone, right ? - Kouji sat still again, throwing little stones at the fire as to distract himself.
- Yeah, right. - agreed one of them, who was still trying to understand what was going on. - I... I've heard that a rich traveller has bought a... house here in Mt.Reikaku... - suddenly everyone became interested in what the bandit was saying. - ... he must have brought all his money with him, right ? Toshi said that he probably didn't move to the capital of Konan because of the war.
Kouji's eyes were shining with the possibility. The other bandits were getting excited with the idea as well. Money, consequently food, and plus, a nice place to crash.
- Do you have the directions to this place ? - asked Kouji, fiercily peering into the eyes of the other. He nodded, finally.
Kouji grinned, while the others waited anxiously.
- Hey, fellas. Seems like we'll have a great party tonight.
The preparations for their 'little invasion' were filled with excitment and expectations. They improvised a small party, enjoying a few drinks and what was left of the food. They had been camping in the middle of the forest for a month now, since soldiers from Kutou had burned their hideplace in the mountains. No one was wounded, but they were still hurt by the inside. Their hearts screamed for revenge. The blodier, the better.
Such unpleasant memories were filling Kouji's thoughts as he walked away to a small river, trying to be far from all that happiness from his friends, a kind of happiness that could never belong to him.
He sat by the river, washing his face in the water. He felt somewhat bitter, he wouldn't forgive himself for having fun at a time like this. Kouji didn't have a good feeling about what was going to happen on the next night. It was awfully strange, people didn't move to Mt.Reikaku very often.
His thoughts were interrupted as Kouji heard some steps coming in his direction. He turned to find Aiko leaning against a tree, gazing at the moon's reflection on the calm waters of the river.
Aiko was the youngest bandit of the group. In the young age of fourteen, he already had abilities that could make a well experienced fighter cry with jealousy. Plus, he was as pretty as a boy could be. Even though he was blond, his eyes were black as pit. His face was beautiful as a girl's. However, he never acted like a child. Being found by Kouji on the verge of death, after being gang-raped at the capital, he was brought to Mt.Reikaku, where he found a new home just like the others. He was also the last member to join the group, right after Tasuki had left. When he learned about the seishi, he showed great interest and respect. However, it puzzled him the fact that no one dared to mention Tasuki's name in front of the leader, Kouji. Weren't they supposed to be best friends ?
- Anou.. Kouji-san.
Kouji glanced at Aiko without great interest. Aiko approached, sitting beside his boss. Kouji didn't say a word.
- Why have you left the party ? Everyone's missing you.
Kouji censured Aiko with his eyes, telling him silently that none of this was of his business.
- I bet they don't give a damn about it. Why have YOU come here, anyway ? You should have your fun while you can.
Aiko looked at their reflection in the water, sadly. Was Kouji always this harsh ? Those men talked so greatly of him, sometimes it is hard to believe it is the same man they're talking about.
Seeing how the boy got disappointed, Kouji gave in a resigned sigh, and tried to make up :
- Sorry 'bout that. Ya shouldn't spend yer time worrying about scum like myself, ye hear me ?
- No, not at all. I... Kouji, I mean, Kouji-san is not a scum ! Kouji-san saved my life, didn't he ? - Aiko couldn't help but blushing, as he didn't find the right words to say.
- You don't need to try making up for it, you don't owe me nothing. Don't worry 'bout that, boy. - Kouji gave in and smiled finally.
Aiko stared ashamed at his boss. By the moonlight, Kouji reminded him of his big brother, who was killed during the attack from Kutou. His brunette skin and light eyes. The same protective smile. He remembered that day, when he screamed for his brother, even though Aiko knew he wouldn't answer anymore. THEY had killed his brother. And THEY had done this to him, they almost killed him too. If it weren't for Kouji he'd have...
Aiko gasped, trembling suddenly. Noticing the fear in the boy's face, Kouji protectively pet the boy in the head.
- It's okay, that scums won't hurt ya anymore.
Aiko smiled, the sense of relief flooding in his heart.
- You see ? They were the real scum. Not you. You're a hero, just like oni-chan. He died trying to save me.
Kouji looked sad at the boy. He felt ashamed of himself, his reasons to be depressed became suddenly so stupid and shallow. The little boy beside him has suffered so much, even though he was still a child. Aiko felt angry at himself when he noticed the pain in Kouji's eyes.
- Kouji-san had someone that is like a big brother to him too, didn't he ?
Kouji was taken by surprise, forgetting the thoughts that had come to him. Of course he had. A big brother that he could count on all the time, his best buddy and confident. But it was all changed, wasn't it ? The show must go on now, thought bitterly Kouji. He had to go on by himself.
Confused by Kouji's silence, Aiko decided to speak for him :
- It's Tasuki, right ? Toshi told me...
- Toshi has too much of a big mouth. He oughtta keep it shut if he doesn't want any trouble. I have no business with this Tasuki guy, ya hear me ?
Aiko gasped again, this time holding his breath. Kouji had the power to make him feel uneasy and uncomfortable all the time. Despite the hurt look in Kouji's eyes, his answer was harsh and angry.
Kouji grabbed a small stone and threw it in the water. Its fall produced small waves, blurring his own reflection.
- Nevermind Tasuki, ya know ? He left a long time ago, and hasn't come back since then. I hope he doesn't anymore.
- Uso... - whispered Aiko, but being overheard by Kouji he continued : - Kouji-san is lying. His mouth says one thing, yet his eyes cry out another.
Kouji remained silent, thinking with himself since when has he become that predictable. He felt deceiving himself all the time, yet he could not deceive the others. He was an adult behaving like a little child.
- You know nothing about it. Tasuki...
- No, I don't. - answered Aiko. - But what I've heard of Tasuki was that he was the best friend of Kouji-san.
- You're wrong. Genrou was my best friend. Bu he is dead now. I know nothing about this Tasuki guy everyone talks so highly about.
Aiko remained thoughtful for some minutes. For Kouji's surprise, Aiko simply started laughing while looking at him.
- I see it then, Kouji-san. But you see, Genrou-san is not dead. When Kouji-san became the leader, he didn't die, did he ? Maybe that is, if the olf Kouji-san is alive, then Genrou-san must be missing him somewhere.
Astounded, Kouji couldn't find any words to say. Had this come from a fourteen-year-old boy ? It didn't seem like so. However, there was some truth lying hidden in Aiko's words, some truth that Kouji would take a lot of time before admitting to himself.
Aiko got up, decided to leave Kouji by himself. He'd probably have a lot of thinking to do. The boy then smiled :
- Oyasuminasai, Kouji-san. I'm too tired to go back to the party, so I think I'll just go to sleep. Kouji-san should do the same, ne ?
Kouji looked up the the boy, smiling faintly.
- Hai. Oyasuminasai, Aiko.
Before the boy disappeared throught the trees, Kouji thought how the boy behaved himself like a big brother. A sweer resemblance to Him...
Kouji lied down, and in a few minutes he had already fallen asleep.
And again, I don't own the characters. FY exists thanks to the creative mind of Watase Yuu. Ando so does Tasuki and Kouji. *droools*
~mana-chan~
Chapter One
- Damn you, Toshi, can't yer do anything right ?
Kouji's eyes were almost spitting fire. He felt like knocking down the other bandit just from staring at him. How could he have done something so stupid like that, letting the group be discovered ? They had to come back to Mt.Reikaku with bare hands, without money plus starving.
- Gomen ne, I didn't mean to ... - Kouji held the man by his shirt.
- Enough with your excuses. - said Kouji, letting go of the bandit. - It's over now, anyway.
Failure was na uninvited word those days. But with the war going on between Konan and Kutou, food had become scarse and expensive too. Whether they fought to survive or starved to death, it was all in Kouji's hands. He was the leader after all. That's why he felt so upset over even the smallest mistakes their group made.
Toshi sighed, watching together to the other bandits as Kouji sat bu the fire, burying his head in his hands. Kouji let escape a small sigh, ignoring the presence of the others. He lied down, staring at the sky. The sunset sun lit Kouji's face, making him look even younger. The only thing that pointed out the harsh life they had was that so familiar scar in Kouji's face.
No one could find any words to say. Their boss looked miserable this way, his eyes gazing at nothing, the desolate look in his young, handsome face. Not much time ago, wasn't he just a teenager ? When Genrou was with them. Apart from his young looks, after Genrou left, Kouji had aged a lot. As well as his fisionomy, he looked like a grown up man now.
- Hey chief, we're all sorry for what happened, we ... - one of the bandits started, but was interrupted when Toshi shook his head, making a sign for him to stop. That wasn't the right time for that kind of talk. They were all surprised, though, when they heard Kouji answering.
- No bother. It's not yer fault. Thing's been that difficult lately for everyone, right ? - Kouji sat still again, throwing little stones at the fire as to distract himself.
- Yeah, right. - agreed one of them, who was still trying to understand what was going on. - I... I've heard that a rich traveller has bought a... house here in Mt.Reikaku... - suddenly everyone became interested in what the bandit was saying. - ... he must have brought all his money with him, right ? Toshi said that he probably didn't move to the capital of Konan because of the war.
Kouji's eyes were shining with the possibility. The other bandits were getting excited with the idea as well. Money, consequently food, and plus, a nice place to crash.
- Do you have the directions to this place ? - asked Kouji, fiercily peering into the eyes of the other. He nodded, finally.
Kouji grinned, while the others waited anxiously.
- Hey, fellas. Seems like we'll have a great party tonight.
The preparations for their 'little invasion' were filled with excitment and expectations. They improvised a small party, enjoying a few drinks and what was left of the food. They had been camping in the middle of the forest for a month now, since soldiers from Kutou had burned their hideplace in the mountains. No one was wounded, but they were still hurt by the inside. Their hearts screamed for revenge. The blodier, the better.
Such unpleasant memories were filling Kouji's thoughts as he walked away to a small river, trying to be far from all that happiness from his friends, a kind of happiness that could never belong to him.
He sat by the river, washing his face in the water. He felt somewhat bitter, he wouldn't forgive himself for having fun at a time like this. Kouji didn't have a good feeling about what was going to happen on the next night. It was awfully strange, people didn't move to Mt.Reikaku very often.
His thoughts were interrupted as Kouji heard some steps coming in his direction. He turned to find Aiko leaning against a tree, gazing at the moon's reflection on the calm waters of the river.
Aiko was the youngest bandit of the group. In the young age of fourteen, he already had abilities that could make a well experienced fighter cry with jealousy. Plus, he was as pretty as a boy could be. Even though he was blond, his eyes were black as pit. His face was beautiful as a girl's. However, he never acted like a child. Being found by Kouji on the verge of death, after being gang-raped at the capital, he was brought to Mt.Reikaku, where he found a new home just like the others. He was also the last member to join the group, right after Tasuki had left. When he learned about the seishi, he showed great interest and respect. However, it puzzled him the fact that no one dared to mention Tasuki's name in front of the leader, Kouji. Weren't they supposed to be best friends ?
- Anou.. Kouji-san.
Kouji glanced at Aiko without great interest. Aiko approached, sitting beside his boss. Kouji didn't say a word.
- Why have you left the party ? Everyone's missing you.
Kouji censured Aiko with his eyes, telling him silently that none of this was of his business.
- I bet they don't give a damn about it. Why have YOU come here, anyway ? You should have your fun while you can.
Aiko looked at their reflection in the water, sadly. Was Kouji always this harsh ? Those men talked so greatly of him, sometimes it is hard to believe it is the same man they're talking about.
Seeing how the boy got disappointed, Kouji gave in a resigned sigh, and tried to make up :
- Sorry 'bout that. Ya shouldn't spend yer time worrying about scum like myself, ye hear me ?
- No, not at all. I... Kouji, I mean, Kouji-san is not a scum ! Kouji-san saved my life, didn't he ? - Aiko couldn't help but blushing, as he didn't find the right words to say.
- You don't need to try making up for it, you don't owe me nothing. Don't worry 'bout that, boy. - Kouji gave in and smiled finally.
Aiko stared ashamed at his boss. By the moonlight, Kouji reminded him of his big brother, who was killed during the attack from Kutou. His brunette skin and light eyes. The same protective smile. He remembered that day, when he screamed for his brother, even though Aiko knew he wouldn't answer anymore. THEY had killed his brother. And THEY had done this to him, they almost killed him too. If it weren't for Kouji he'd have...
Aiko gasped, trembling suddenly. Noticing the fear in the boy's face, Kouji protectively pet the boy in the head.
- It's okay, that scums won't hurt ya anymore.
Aiko smiled, the sense of relief flooding in his heart.
- You see ? They were the real scum. Not you. You're a hero, just like oni-chan. He died trying to save me.
Kouji looked sad at the boy. He felt ashamed of himself, his reasons to be depressed became suddenly so stupid and shallow. The little boy beside him has suffered so much, even though he was still a child. Aiko felt angry at himself when he noticed the pain in Kouji's eyes.
- Kouji-san had someone that is like a big brother to him too, didn't he ?
Kouji was taken by surprise, forgetting the thoughts that had come to him. Of course he had. A big brother that he could count on all the time, his best buddy and confident. But it was all changed, wasn't it ? The show must go on now, thought bitterly Kouji. He had to go on by himself.
Confused by Kouji's silence, Aiko decided to speak for him :
- It's Tasuki, right ? Toshi told me...
- Toshi has too much of a big mouth. He oughtta keep it shut if he doesn't want any trouble. I have no business with this Tasuki guy, ya hear me ?
Aiko gasped again, this time holding his breath. Kouji had the power to make him feel uneasy and uncomfortable all the time. Despite the hurt look in Kouji's eyes, his answer was harsh and angry.
Kouji grabbed a small stone and threw it in the water. Its fall produced small waves, blurring his own reflection.
- Nevermind Tasuki, ya know ? He left a long time ago, and hasn't come back since then. I hope he doesn't anymore.
- Uso... - whispered Aiko, but being overheard by Kouji he continued : - Kouji-san is lying. His mouth says one thing, yet his eyes cry out another.
Kouji remained silent, thinking with himself since when has he become that predictable. He felt deceiving himself all the time, yet he could not deceive the others. He was an adult behaving like a little child.
- You know nothing about it. Tasuki...
- No, I don't. - answered Aiko. - But what I've heard of Tasuki was that he was the best friend of Kouji-san.
- You're wrong. Genrou was my best friend. Bu he is dead now. I know nothing about this Tasuki guy everyone talks so highly about.
Aiko remained thoughtful for some minutes. For Kouji's surprise, Aiko simply started laughing while looking at him.
- I see it then, Kouji-san. But you see, Genrou-san is not dead. When Kouji-san became the leader, he didn't die, did he ? Maybe that is, if the olf Kouji-san is alive, then Genrou-san must be missing him somewhere.
Astounded, Kouji couldn't find any words to say. Had this come from a fourteen-year-old boy ? It didn't seem like so. However, there was some truth lying hidden in Aiko's words, some truth that Kouji would take a lot of time before admitting to himself.
Aiko got up, decided to leave Kouji by himself. He'd probably have a lot of thinking to do. The boy then smiled :
- Oyasuminasai, Kouji-san. I'm too tired to go back to the party, so I think I'll just go to sleep. Kouji-san should do the same, ne ?
Kouji looked up the the boy, smiling faintly.
- Hai. Oyasuminasai, Aiko.
Before the boy disappeared throught the trees, Kouji thought how the boy behaved himself like a big brother. A sweer resemblance to Him...
Kouji lied down, and in a few minutes he had already fallen asleep.
