Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito: Another Destiny (Two of Two)
Princess Fuji gently stroked Hazuki's long black hair, the lovely blonde looking down at the woman who's head rested in her lap with a gentle tenderness. "I've missed this," Fuji admitted to her quietly, a smile on her face.
"I'm sorry to be so needy," Hazuki murmured to her quietly in return. After a few moments of petting she rose, sitting up across from her and looking into Fuji's eyes as she continued a bit sheepishly, "I didn't even ask what's been happening to you."
"Not as much as you think," Fuji said calmly. She poured each of them more tea before settling back and saying, "Shortly after you both disappeared from this world Meirin returned and she came to me seeking a lord to serve."
"I was a little surprised you let her stay," Hazuki noted, drinking her tea.
"I have always had a weakness for lost cats and dogs," Fuji flashed a smile as she joked, "she reminded me of them too much."
Hazuki fought back her racing heart, shocked at the woman's beauty. 'Does she know how lovely she is?' she wondered silently. "I've done my share of rescuing cats from trees," Hazuki admitted, fond memories of her time with Hatsumi bringing a slightly bittersweet smile to her face. Her expression became a bit more serious as she noted, "We encountered some of those ninja on the way here.. have they made trouble?"
Fuji looked annoyed, taking a drink of her tea with unconscious grace. "Yes," admitted reluctantly, "they've made several attempts to break into the palace here. Thankfully my samurai are determined to make up for their original failure in facing them."
"And the captain I fought?" Hazuki asked seriously, remembering the gray haired older man who had unleashed various techniques on her. To his surprise his various ninja skills seemed to fail against Hazuki, though neither of them fully understood why at the time.
"He hasn't returned," Fuji swiftly reassured her then added hesitantly, "in fact it seems the ninja are looking for you."
"Oh?" Hazuki frowned, looking none too pleased to know a band of killers was looking for her.
'It's odd,' Fuji thought to herself thoughtfully, 'that an expression that should have made Hazuki look ugly instead simply makes seem her more lovely to me, almost simmering with passionate intensity.' Recovering herself after that moment of distraction Fuji told her, "They have been asking travelers about you, and from what Meirin has heard they seem driven to face you in battle, possibly to avenge their lord's defeat."
Hazuki reached out to lay a hand on the sword that rested on the floor beside her, her expression thoughtful. "Then maybe I should answer their challenge," she said to Fuji quietly, "it might even end their threat to you."
Fuji felt herself instinctively opening her mouth to forbid Hazuki from facing them, only to stop herself in surprise. For all her life warriors had pledged themselves to her, and she knew that at least some of them had fallen in battle because of that. 'So why does it bother me so that Hazuki might be putting herself in danger?' she wondered.
Hazuki seemed to read her expression, her own gaze softening. "I'm sorry to worry you," she took Fuji's hand in hers as she promised, "I'll be careful, no matter what I decide to do."
Fuji felt herself smile back even as she squeezed Hazuki's hands firmly in hers. "I don't remember you being very cautious," she gently chided Hazuki, "considering you rushed in to face the ninja's and their lord all alone."
Hazuki met Fuji's eyes with simple honesty. "You were in danger," she said to Fuji directly, "I couldn't bear that."
"Thank you," Fuji looked away, blushing faintly. She opened up her mouth to say something more to Hazuki...
...when a soft knocking drew their attention from each other. "Princess?" the soft voice called from the hallway.
Fuji pulled back from how close she and Hazuki had been leaning towards each other, gazing into each other's eyes. "Yes?" she called out, surprised to feel faintly hoarse,
The door slid open to reveal the leader of her personal guard, the older samurai kneeling respectfully beside the door. "There is a ninja waiting by the front gates," he reported to them grimly, "she is asking for the Lady Hazuki."
"Did you see any more of them?" Hazuki asked briskly as she snatched up her sword, her eyes narrowing in anger as she tensed for battle.
"No, but there could be many of them hiding in the shadows nearby," he conceded. He didn't like admitting the ninja were so capable at being sneaky, but it was the truth. The samurai looked at Hazuki and Fuji, "What do you want to do?"
Fuji put a hand on Hazuki's arm, squeezing lightly. "I suppose you won't listen if I order you not to see them?" she asked Hazuki softly.
"If they're seriously interested in me they could threaten you or the others if I don't go see them," Hazuki answered, gently putting her hand over Fuji's.
"I know," Fuji acknowledged with a sigh. She hesitated, meeting Hazuki's eyes then bent forward to kiss her softly on the mouth. "Be careful," she breathed out after a moment.
"Always," Hazuki answered softly, her gaze lingering a moment before getting up and following the samurai from the room.
"Lady Hazuki, I...," the samurai started, a blush on his cheeks as they strode down the hall.
"We'll talk about it later," Hazuki answered, blushing too. "Besides, we have bigger things to worry about."
"Right," he agreed as they headed to the gates.
The redheaded ninja girl stood by the gate, her mane of hair shimmering in the sun. Like the other women she wore simple garb, a wrap-like bikini top and bottom combined with a metallic mask, boots and gloves. While they weren't visible weapons were hidden amidst her garb, ready to be used at a moments notice.
"Watch my back," Hazuki murmured under her breath to the samurai before striding away from him over to where the woman waited. "You wanted to see me?" Hazuki asked, letting her hand rest comfortably on her sword's hilt.
"Yes, lady," she nodded, clearly displeased at using the honorific. She studied Hazuki coldly as she said, "Our mistress wishes to see you."
Hazuki studied her thoughtfully for a moment then asked, "You'll guarantee safe conduct for me to and from the meeting?"
The ninja nodded with a dangerous smile. "Indeed," she purred, "I swear on my name, Yomi."
"Do you trust her?" the elder samurai asked Hazuki bluntly after she filled him in on the progress of the negotiations.
"Not entirely, but I think I can handle it," Hazuki said honestly. Several samurai protested, but she waved them to silence. Surprisingly they obeyed, making Hazuki wonder what had been said about her skills in the time she was gone. She smiled grimly at the older samurai, "If this is a trick, make sure that the Princess is kept safe, please."
"Of course," the samurai nodded firmly.
Hazuki strode over to the ninja Yomi's side and without another word they walked off together, Hazuki keeping a wary eye out. It wasn't long before they reached a clearing deep in the woods, the band of ninja women watching with silent intensity as they walked up. Hazuki tried to guess their numbers but had to give up as they appeared and disappeared into the shadows.
"Hitomi," Yomi nodded respectfully as she said, "I've brought her as ordered."
"Thank you," Hitomi nodded, her long brown hair flowing. She looked Hazuki over for a moment then asked, "I recognize you, despite your no longer wearing your strange. out-lander garb. Will you face me in battle, samurai?"
Hazuki tensed up as the ninja spread out around the clearing to watch, as well as surrounding her to cut off any escape. "If I must," she said, resting her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"Yes!" Hitomi cried out as she leaped, her sword flashing, only to be parried with Hazuki's remarkable speed.
Hazuki's eyes flashed as they stood there frozen, muscles straining against each other, then Hitomi shifted and they pulled apart. Getting some distance the ninja drew several throwing blades, tossing them with eerie precision, but Hazuki batted them aside and forced Hitomi back into close combat. Back and forth across the clearing they fought, blades ringing, but Hitomi seemed unable to gain any advantage.
Finally Hitomi raised a hand, panting softly. "What?" Hazuki asked warily.
"You are as good as we thought," Hitomi conceded, "or even better." She sheathed her sword then, surprisingly, kneelled in front of Hazuki as she formally said,"Let us serve you, m'lady, even as we did our lord before."
"Eeehh!" Hazuki blurted.
Later that evening Fuji smiled as she and Hazuki stood on the bridge behind her home, looking out over the gently flowing water. "Have you decided what to do?" she asked her softly.
Hazuki looked amused, "I accepted their service, I didn't think there was much choice." She shrugged slightly as she explained, "I sent them out bandit hunting, maybe that way they can do some good."
"I'm glad," Fuji agreed. She hesitated, studying Hazuki with a expression of gentle longing, "Lady Hazuki, are you leaving again soon?"
Hazuki met her eyes, then around them at the beautiful palace. More than ever before she felt at peace here, the odd restlessness that had always driven her finally stilled. "I'm not going anywhere," she answered honestly, "at least, not unless you send me away."
"Never," Fuji said firmly, resting her hand on Hazuki's arm. She looked away with a faint blush, "I knew that sending you on your way before was the right thing to do... but almost as soon as I did I missed you, more than I could say."
"And I," Hazuki agreed softly, wondering why it had never occurred to her to just stay. But she had needed to see Hatsumi once again... if only to say good-bye. "There's no place in the worlds I'd rather be than here," Hazuki finished.
"I'm glad," Fuji answered as she stepped a little closer. She gently tugged Hazuki to her, hesitating until she saw the other woman smile, then she kissed her gently.
End
Notes: This was inspired by talk on the shoujoai forums, as well as my own ideas that Fuji and Hazuki would make a good couple. This also doesn't exactly contradict the ending of Yami to Boushi either, it's quite possible Hazuki could end up giving birth to Eve in Fuji's world.
Made some edits, including adding Meirin's name and expanding on some bits. Still not perfectly happy with this story, but at least it's improving. Hopefully.