Rewards of Dilligence

By nightelfcrawler

Warnings: Tasuki's foul mouth

Okay so... in chatting with an rp partner, we ended up discovering that we had been a part of the same fandoms some 10+ years ago. She ran a website that hosted some of my old fics... which made me drag out some old dvds that I'd saved my webpages on... and lo and behold, I found these old fics hanging around still and decided heck why not bring them back. So here they are, a trip down memory lane! These were written in the late 90's and early 2000's when I went by too many psudonyms to remember. I actually forgot who I was until I physically saw the fics listed and went 'oh crap I remember those!'. Ahh memories.

Be warned... these were my first attempts at writing and are likely riddled with grammar, spelling and other noted errors. I've read through them, blushed furiously that I used to write like this, and decided to put them up anyway as-is with no revisions. So please enjoy, but don't bother correcting or whining, they shall be ignored!

Standard Disclaimer: All characters belong to Yuu Watase, I didn't make them, so don't sue me.

Slowly waking up from a deep sleep, Tasuki opened his sleep laden eyes, and stared up at the celing. So it wasn't all a dream... Groaning, he hauled himself out of the futon, and stared blearily at the empty and neatly made one next to his. Where the hell did he go so early in the #$%% morning?

The morning had dawned fresh and crisp, and the dew was fresh in the grass. Sitting by an old willow tree, Chichiri stared out at the rising sun with a wistful expression on his face. It's been a long time, he thought sadly. Why have we been sent back here? I thought I would not have to face this again, and then, here we are again.

He heard a sudden rustling in the wet grass behind him, and turned his head to see Houjun making his way up the hill behind him. Giving the mage a wide grin, the boy plopped down beside him. "Mind if I join you?"

Smiling in sudden rememberance of the many morinings he spent as a boy watching the surise in this very spot, he nodded and turned his gaze back out to the distant mountains.

"It's beautiful, neh?" Young Houjun leaned back against the tree's trunk and gave a contented sigh. "I always come up here in the mornings. It's just so...pristine to waste."

Chichiri gazed on Houjun's face. Did I ever look like that?

"So...did you sleep well last night?" Houjun turned his gaze to the mage, and hastily avoided looking at his damaged eye.

Chichiri saw this and sighed internally. Get used to it Houjun, you will have to bear it soon enough. "Yes, I slept quite well no da."

"That's good to hear, you two must have been through quite an adventure last night..." He turned and stared Chichiri straight in the face. "Umm, I have something to ask you..."

Here it comes Chichiri thought reluctantly.

"...well, it's like this...I want to ask someone if she'll marry me, and I'm not sure how she feels about me. I mean, she, my best friend, and I have been friends since we were little kids, and we are so close that we could never be seperated, you know. But...I've fallen in love with her, and I'd like to tell her that. You seem to be someone who gives advice and all, so I thought maybe you can help me out."

Chichiri was slightly taken aback by that sudden out burst. That was certainly the last thing he had expected himself to ask. Furiously thinking, as to not look like he was stalling he wondered what was the best way to go about answering this. Finally, he took a deep breath and spoke. "It seems like the best thing to do is to do what you feel is right no da."

Houjun looked puzzled. "But, how am I supposed to ask her? I mean, I've never done this sort of thing before, fall in love that is."

Chichiri smiled at him. "Do what you feel is right no da. Proposing to someone is usually a romantic affair, so...find somewhere that you both are attached to and propose to her in some sweet romantic manner no da."

"So you think I should propose to her?"

"Hai, if that is what you want to do, then don't let anything stop you no da."

Houjun lowered his head suddenly. "But what of my friend, Hikou? What if he gets jealous or something? What should I do then?"

Chichiri suddenly felt rather faint.

"Oi, whatcha all doing up here?"

Chichiri felt an enormous sense of relief flood his mind as Tasuki poked his head from behind the tree's trunk.

"Don't tell me you're enjoying all this nature stuff, Chich." The red haired bandit plopped down on the other side of Chichiri. Grinning insolently, he elbowed Chichiri in the side and whispered quietly in his ear, "Though ya might like to get outa that one."

Chichiri gave him a relieved glance and murmered back, "How did you know no da?"

Tasuki just grinned back. "Hey, I was interested in what you were gonna tell him! After you told me all about that paradox stuff..."

Chichiri just glared at him.

"So, Tasuki-sama, did you have a restful sleep?" Houjun smiled warmly at him.

Leaning back with his arms behind his head, Tasuki closed his eyes, letting the morning sun fall on his face. "Yeah, actually I did."

"That's great. I hope you guys will enjoy staying here for a while. In a month is the Star Festival, it's a great carnival that is put on by all the neighboring villages once a year...it's a spectacular event!"

Tasuki saw Chichiri's face soften a little bit, as he remembered the wonderful times that he, Hikou, and Kourin had had during that festival...

Houjun continued talking all about the wonderful times he had experienced during the festival in previous years, and both seishi's thoughts drifted off, in different directions, as he spun the many tales of his childhood. After a while, Houjun got up and announced it would be breakfast time soon, and then took his leave down the hill. Tasuki and Chichiri remained there for a little bit.

"So, how're you doing Chichiri? Ya surviving this little 'incident'?"

Chichiri sighed and fiddled with his staff. "Hai, dakara, musukashii desu no da..."

Tasuki nodded and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Well, if you need to vent frustrations or anything, I'll be willing to listen. So long as you don't beat the crap outta me like Tamahome does..."

That brought a small smile from Chichiri.

"Hey," He stood up slowly, "We better get down there or we'll miss breakfast! C'mon!" The bandit offered a hand to the mage, and Chichiri took it, bringing himself to his feet. The two made their way down to the house. On the way, Chichiri wondered once again, why it was that he had been sent back here...

The town was bustling and busy, as usual. Many people crowded the streets, selling items, barganing, bartering, and buying the many goods displayed in the central square. For a small town, with only one main street, it seemed just as busy as the capitol.

Glancing around, Tasuki saw the many colorful silks, the fragrent foods, and helpful tools and products that were available to the buyer. Hmm, pretty good stuff! He had never seen anything quite as exotic and different in any town he had been to before, and this one seemed to hold a special feeling, one he rather enjoyed.

Chichiri smiled, as he gazed around at the various things scattered about the plaza. How long has it been since I've been here? Much too long... He gazed at the familiar signs in the shop windows, the friendly air of the people around him, and the overally family oriented atmosphere that pervaded the town. Yes, it's good to be back...

"Hey, wait here will you guys?" Houjun ran off into a shop to see something leaving the seishi stanging in the square by themselves admist the bustling people.

Tasuki scratched at his arm re-arranging the silks to be more comfortable. "Geeze, this stuff itches! Remind me again why we can't wear our regular clothing?"

Chichiri smiled and glanced down at his own clothes. He had been able to borrow some of Houjun's robes to use, unlike Tasuki who had to wear Houjun's fathers' old robes since he was more broad in the shoulders. "It's because we don't want to bring too much attention to ourselves, Tasuki-kun no da. Remember, in this time we are young still, and many may not believe in Suzaku, since there has been no summoning of the Four Gods for many years now no da. It would be best to keep a low definition as long as we must stay here no da."

"Yeah, but I'm the one who hasta wear the old moldy robe, while you get the nicer one!"

"Be respectful to that robe, Tasuki-kun no da. That was my fathers' no da."

"Sorry." He mumbled. "But it still smells!"

Suddenly, Chichiri felt a pair of hands grab him from behind. In astonishment, and surprise, he stiffened as a soft voice spoke to him. "Good morning Houjun."

Tasuki saw the look on Chichiri's face, and glanced back to see a young girl with her arms around Chichiri's waist, her head leaning on his back. "What? No good morning kiss?"

Just then, Houjun came out from the store carrying some bread and saw them. His eyes slightly widened, then he put a hand to his mouth keeping a giggle back. Jogging down the stairs, he spoke in a bright voice, "Good morning, Kourin, Hikou. Wonderful day isn't it? I see you've met Chichiri and Tasuki!"

Looking up startled, Kouring turned her glance from Chichiri back to Houjun, and quickly released Chichiri's waist flushing embarressed. "Go...gomen!"

Laughing, Houjun shook his head finding that situation very hilarious, and clapped Chichiri on the back. "You're not trying to steal my girlfriend, are you Chichiri-sama?"

Turning, very red-faced, Chichiri glanced down at his fiencee who was staring at him open mouthed, and Hikou who looked quite amused at this new development. "Ahh, I wouldn't do that, Houjun-san no da." Putting a polite face on, he offered a hand to the two newcomers. "But it is a...pleasure to meet you no da."

Hikou shook his hand firmly. "Wow, from the back you looked just like Hou-chan! Even I was fooled!" He grinned and swiftly tried to avoid glancing at the scar on Chichiri's face. "I'm Hikou, Houjun's friend. And this here's Kourin. She's glad to meet you too, I think." A mischivious smile played on Hikou's lips as he tried not to burst out laughing.

Nervously, she accepted Chichiri's hand as they greeted each other. "I'm sorry for that little mistake...I truly thought you were Houjun. You...look quite like him, even from the front...a bit..." She blushed and looked at Houjun. "Neh?"

Laughing he nodded, and Chichiri just blushed some more, before turning away. "Well, many people have told me that no da."

Breaking out in laughter, the five companions made their way down the street, laughing and sharing the warm day with pleasure and fun...