Chapter 4
His friends had taken their leave just after the sun had begun its climb into the morning sky. They had all agreed to make plans to spend a day together as a complete group once Touma had returned to the city. Now Seiji was alone and bored, left with nothing else to do but go over the numerous messages that had arrived for him while he was away. It was a monotonous task, since there were so many. He leafed through them idly, scanning each one for anything important. Finding none that looked as if they needed his immediate attention, he set the letters down and rubbed his eyes. He had no idea what time it was, but he suspected it was almost time for the mid-day meal.
Rising from his stool, he walked out of the side room he had been peacefully reading in and stepped into the courtyard. He stretched and headed into the atrium, stifling a yawn. The temperature had dropped dramatically over night, and he was surprised to see a puff of his breath in the air. As he entered the front hall he noticed some of the servants crowded in the hallway leading out to the street, chatting low amongst each other. Something was obviously happening outside. He walked over to them, frowning slightly.
"What's going on?" he asked, growing more concerned when he was met with worried eyes.
"It's the emperor, sir," one of the elder servants said quietly.
Seiji's eyes widened and he rushed past them out into the small garden that separated their main door from the street. Beyond the front gate, standing just outside, he saw his father talking with some men. He hurried up to them. "Father…" he said as he reached the group. "What is it?"
His father glanced at him with troubled eyes.
"The emperor?" he asked.
The older man nodded. "Word is spreading that he is near death, if not passed already. Gaius Augustus returned to Rome early this morning. It's being said he will be named the new emperor."
Seiji nodded and his father turned back to the other men. He swallowed, looking around him. All along the street, numerous people were mulling about, talking to one another in hushed tones. It was no secret that the people of Rome had grown to loath their current emperor, Tiberius, who had become nothing more than a reclusive tyrant in the past few years; raising taxes, conduction erroneous treason trials, and sending numerous families with whom he was displeased into exile. He had shut himself away in his villa at Capri, preferring to let the senate run the empire on their own. And since the senate wasn't used to acting without the emperor, the quality of government and subsequently the daily lives of Rome's citizens had deteriorated significantly. Recently, he had become increasingly paranoid, and there were rumors that he had gone completely mad. It was even alleged that he had begun indulging in all manner of questionable diversions with young boys who, once they had entered his secluded villa, were never heard from again.
But, while no one doubted Rome would be better off under a new ruler, the death of an emperor meant the peace of the entire empire was at risk until a successor was named. Insurrections, an over throwing of the government, attacks from enemy countries, and riots were all possibilities if the senate did not act quickly to install a new emperor in time to quell any uprising. It was an extremely dangerous time for everyone.
He clenched and unclenched his fists, letting the gravity of the situation settle in his mind. So they are going to make that monster emperor after all…he thought grimly. Suddenly, the sound of a man yelling caught his ear. He glanced up in time to see a rider on horseback rush by, calling out "Tiberius is dead! The emperor has passed! Our new emperor will appear shortly in the Forum!" The man continued to call out the same thing as he hurried down the street and disappeared around a corner. Several people cried out excitedly, rushing back into their houses with the news.
But Seiji could find nothing good about the situation. In his mind, they were simply replacing one tyrant with another. He hurried back into his house, past the servants who were still mulling about and headed into the courtyard. He was making his way back to the side room along the courtyard to finish his reading and escape the commotion in the streets when a thought suddenly occurred to him. He stopped and turned back to the front of the house. If Gaius was back in Rome, that meant Touma would be as well. He detoured to his room, hastily put on his cloak and a pair of boots and headed back out into the street.
His father caught his arm. "Where are you going?" The older man asked.
"I want to see if Touma returned. He was in Tibur vacationing with Gaius. If Gaius is back, Touma must be as well."
"You should wait Seiji. Everyone's headed to the Forum and the streets are too crowded to ride."
Seiji looked around, noticing the masses of people flooding out from their homes and heading towards the center of the city. He nodded at his father. "I'll be fine. I can walk, and I'll take the side streets and alleyways."
His father sighed. "Suit yourself. Just be careful."
Seiji nodded. The streets of Rome were so narrow and winding that even a small crowd would cause extreme congestion, and one could easily find themselves caught in a mass that was too large to move through at all. But he wisely decided to stick to the alleyways and side roads that proved to be only slightly less congested than the main thoroughfares. Slowly, he made his way up the narrow streets to Touma's house. As he was about the break onto the main avenue his friend's home sat along, he heard a massive cheer arise from the center of the city. The new successor must have appeared, he thought. He didn't need to see the scene to know what was going on. As the cheering continued, he imagined an elaborately dressed man standing on a large balcony above the Forum. It over looked the largest square in the city, where literally thousands of people could gather to listen. He knew, without a doubt, that the man addressing the cheering crowds at that moment was Gaius.
He narrowed his eyes in disgust and continued on against the thinning crowd until he arrived at the gate to Touma's house. He called out to the door attendant who would be sitting in a small room just along the hallway. A young man poked his head out and hurried to the gate, opening it for him.
"Has Touma returned yet?" he asked the boy as he walked inside. The attendant shook his head as Seiji heard a voice from the hallway above say, "Not yet I'm afraid."
Seiji looked up to find Touma's father at the top of the stairs. "No word from him either?" he asked.
The older man shook his head and walked down to him, waving off the attendant. "None. I don't know if he returned this morning with Gaius and accompanied him to the Forum or if he decided to stay in Tibur a bit longer. All we can do is wait for his return."
Seiji nodded and looked away in frustration. "Alright," he said resignedly, then looked back at the man. "Would you let me know the moment he returns? I need to speak with him as soon as I can. I'll come in the middle of the night if I have to. Just find some way to let me know that he's back."
The older man raised an eyebrow at him. "It's that important to you, is it?"
"Yes. It is," Seiji nodded resolutely.
Touma's father nodded. "I'll send word once he arrives."
Seiji nodded and thanked the man. Willing himself to be content with that for the time being, he bowed and excused himself. As he stepped back out into the street and set out towards his home, he noticed storm clouds forming around the mountains that lay to the east of the city. Off in the distance, he could still hear the crowds in the center of the city, cheering for their soon-to-be emperor.
Touma stared at the mountains to the west. They stood between him and Rome, and dark clouds were gathering around their peaks. He didn't know if it was cold enough yet for snow, but he had stopped at a shop before he had left Tibur to buy an extra cloak should he need it on the trip home. He had also purchased some linen, from which he tore a strip to wrap around his head, attempting to cover the ugly bruise that was spreading across his temple. His head was pounding painfully, and all he wanted was to curl up in a warm bed and sleep. He had returned to the villa that morning just as dawn's edges began creeping into the sky. The servants there had tried to convince him to stay awhile longer, thinking it was only a hangover that ailed him. But Touma had ignored their requests and insisted on returning home immediately.
Now he was doubting his decision, thinking perhaps it would have been better to get a room at an inn until he was feeling better. He glanced behind him to find the resort town already lost from sight behind the hills. It was too late to turn back. He just hoped that the weather would hold and that the pain in his head wouldn't grow any worse. He kept his head lowered and his hood pulled up as he rode, not wanting to be bothered by anyone who might recognize him. He saw very few other travelers as the hours wore on, and those he did pass neither recognized him nor made an effort to greet him. He passed only a few guard patrols and a couple of messengers that raced by, no doubt carrying news of the emperor's demise.
A few hours passed before he found himself at the foothills leading into the mountains. He had made good time, and was hoping to reach the city before nightfall, but he could feel the temperature steadily dropping as the road wound higher into the mountains. He looked up at the dark clouds above him. They threatened to begin dropping their contents at any moment, and it prompted him to hurry his horse even more. The mountain passes were dangerous enough during good weather. It wasn't long before the first flakes began to fall, and within a few minutes, the snow was falling in earnest. He pushed the hood of his cloak back, letting the cold snow ease his sore temple. The only sounds that accompanied him were the soft hiss of the snow as it began to cover the world in white, and his horse's hooves on the road.
As he rounded a bend deep in the pass, a new noise caught his ears. It was the sound of men's voices. Probably another patrol, he thought to himself. The mountain passes could be treacherous not only for their terrain, but also for the bands of thieves that roamed the wooded slopes. Cover was easy to come by along these roads, making it easy to ambush unsuspecting travelers. It was the reason why there were often extra guards that patrolled the passes. But it had been hours since Touma had seen the last patrol, and he figured the deteriorating weather had something to do with that.
A small curve in the road and some trees blocked his view of the path ahead, but as he came closer he slowed his horse. The voices sounded anything but friendly. He heard shouting and laughing, and mixed in was the sound of someone crying out in pain. He dismounted and crept forward along the road just enough to be able to peer around the trees and see what was going on. A large wagon loaded with oil jars and bushels of tall grass was stopped in the middle of the road. Just behind it stood two large, dirty and disheveled men standing over a young boy. The two men kicked at the boy mercilessly, laughing as they did so. A third man, equally as menacing and probably their leader, stood on the front of the wagon, brandishing a sword at an old man who was pleading with them to leave the boy alone. Except for a worn bow and a quiver of arrows on one of the other men, the leader looked to be the only one armed.
Touma sighed. I just want to get home, he thought dourly as he assessed the situation. But he certainly couldn't just leave these men to do as they pleased. Besides, he thought. They're blocking the road. Its not like I could just go around if I chose to. His temple was throbbing painfully, but he ignored it and quickly went to work.
"Never a guard around when you need one," he grumbled quietly, turning back to his horse. He patted her neck gently as he pulled the saddle to one side. He had to make it look like she had lost her rider. Luckily his father had insisted all his horses be trained to stop, regardless of the rider's wishes, at the sound of a deep but sharp whistle. That way the horse was difficult to steal, and easy to reclaim if it was stolen. He stepped back and looked around the dense foliage, searching for anything he could use as a weapon, but found nothing. He exhaled slowly. He would just have to use his fists.
He stepped to the back of the horse and gave a solid smack to her backside, spooking her and sending her off at a canter down the road towards the wagon. He stepped into the underbrush along the roadside and headed in the same direction, staying low and out of sight.
The two men on the ground were in the process of picking up the boy to begin a new round of beatings as the gray mare went running past them. All three of the thieves paused for a moment, watching the horse run by. They looked at each other, then turned to look down the road in the direction the horse had come from. From his spot in the bushes Touma could see them tensing, waiting for someone to come chasing after the horse. But when no one appeared, they began laughing again, this time at their good luck. "Well, go get it!" one of the men on the ground called up to the one on the wagon. "Watch this one," the leader instructed as he jumped down, tossed his sword to them and took off after the horse. The smaller of the two men on the ground climbed up on the wagon and pointed the blade at the old man.
The thief still on the ground leaned over and grabbed the boy by his hair. "Such a pathetic little thing. We should have some fun with you before we get rid of you two," he jeered, exposing rotted teeth. The other man chuckled deviously and nodded. He opened his mouth to add to the taunts, but stopped short, the smile disappearing from his face as he stared past his comrade. Noticing his friend's look, the man holding the boy tensed suddenly and turned, ready to defend himself, but he was too late. Before he was even half way around, Touma's ankle connected squarely against his cheek, sending the man reeling to the ground, out cold. His companion on the wagon snarled furiously at Touma and jumped down, wildly swinging his blade as he rushed forward. Touma easily dodged the man's clumsy attacks, and the moment he saw an opening he let loose a hand full of dirt at the man's eyes. The blinded thief shrieked and pulled back, but Touma caught his wrists with both hands. With as much force as he could muster, Touma yanked the man's arms down and brought his knee up, smashing it squarely into the thief's chin. The man's head snapped back, his mouth gaping wide. Pieces of broken teeth, shattered from the impact, fell to the ground followed by their unconscious owner.
Touma quickly turned in the direction his horse had gone and let out a loud, sharp whistle, knowing that it would stop the mare so that the other man could catch her and return to his friends. He turned back to the boy staring in astonishment nearby. "Something to tie them with!" he demanded. The boy immediately snapped out of his daze and jumped into the wagon. He rummaged around for just a moment, then tossed a large coil of rope to the ground. Touma glanced back down the road as he pulled both men behind the wagon and quickly bound their hands. "Tie them to the wagon," he told the boy, who nodded and hastily did as he was told. Touma bent over and picked up the bow that the first thief had dropped. It was a standard military bow, and the arrows scattered about the ground looked as if they had been used and retrieved a few times. Probably military defectors, he thought, glaring down at the men now securely tied to the back of the wagon, still unconscious. He ripped a dirty cape off one of them and handed their sword to the boy.
"If they wake up, use this to make sure they stay quiet," he instructed. "And stay low and out of sight." The boy was pale and obviously shaken up, but he bravely nodded and took the sword, then ducked behind the wagon. Touma wrapped the filthy cape around his shoulders and pulled up the hood, hiding his face. With the bow and 3 arrows in hand, he climbed up onto the front of the wagon and moved close to the old man. "Turn around and act as if they were still beating the boy back there," he instructed. The old man turned and leaned towards the back of the wagon as Touma loomed over him. He turned to glance down the road just in time to see the last thief approaching on the mare, a look of triumph on his face.
"This is our lucky day!" the man called out as he rode toward them. "This beast is worth a small fortune. Her owner must have been a fool to let her throw him. He's probably laying on the side of the road somewhere with his skull split open."
Touma smiled under his disguise as the man came within a few yards. Shrugging the dirty cape off and revealing himself, he turned toward the thief. "She is a fine animal. But I assure you her owner is no fool." He leveled a notched arrow at the man. "Now get off my horse."
The thief paled in shock at finding himself on the sharp end of an arrow. He paused for only a moment, blinking away his confusion. Then, gritting his teeth in anger, he spun the horse around and took off in the opposite direction. Touma sighed and let forth another whistle, stopping the horse dead in her tracks. He would have to thank his father again for that little trick. Furious now, and worked into a panicked frenzy, the man wildly beat at the animal, trying to get her to move again. When she refused, he jumped off and made for the safety of the trees, but Touma didn't let him get that far. Now that the man was a safe distance from his horse, he let the arrow fly. Regardless of the bow's quality, Touma's arrow met its mark, lodging itself solidly in the man's shoulder. The thief shrieked in pain, but kept going. He was almost to the tree line as another arrow sunk into his thigh, causing him to stumble and fall.
Touma jumped from the wagon and leveled his last arrow as he approached the writhing man. To his surprise the boy came running up next to him, holding the rope bravely in his hands. Thankfully, the thief offered no resistance as he was bound and lead limping back to the wagon. As they walked, the boy peered up at his rescuer, and Touma returned his gaze with a smile. "You alright? They hit you pretty hard."
The boy nodded vigorously. "I'm fine. But sir, that blue cape…" He motioned to the inside of Touma's cloak. "Are you…" but he was cut off by the old man as they approached the wagon.
"Thank you so much young man!" the old man exclaimed. "If you hadn't come along they would have killed us for sure."
Touma smiled weakly up at the man who was still seated in the wagon. "It's all right. I…" He stopped short as a sudden stabbing pain tore through his head. In all the excitement, he had completely forgotten about his injury. Now the pain was even worse from all his exertion, and he felt nauseous and dizzy.
"What should we do with them?" he heard someone ask, but the throbbing was so intense that it took him a moment to understand the question.
He squeezed his eyes shut, willing the sting to subside and his mind to clear. "We can't leave them here. We'll put them in the wagon and give them to the first patrol we come across," he said.
With the help of the boy, Touma managed to get all of the thieves loaded into the wagon. He leaned unsteadily against his horse as the boy finished binding the men's feet to prevent any escape. But now he was at his limit. He was having trouble focusing his eyes and the pain in his head had become excruciating. He heard the boy ask him something, but then his body went numb and his legs gave out beneath him. The world turned white then black as he fell unconscious into the snow.
It was mid morning when a servant woke Seiji to inform him a messenger from Touma's father had arrived for him. He dressed quickly and walked to the front of the house. The messenger informed him that Touma had arrived home late the previous night, and that Touma's father wanted to speak with him in person. Seiji was aggravated by the fact that the message hadn't been sent until the morning, but he brushed it aside quickly and headed out towards his friend's home.
When he arrived, he was lead to a side room just off the courtyard. Seiji paused for a moment to glance up at the door to Touma's room, but it was closed, a servant standing nearby. Touma's father was waiting for him in the small room and greeted Seiji as he walked through the door. The older man appeared strangely subdued, and when asked to sit, Seiji became worried.
"Is he alright?" he asked anxiously.
Touma's father nodded. "He's fine. He's still sleeping at the moment. I know you asked me to let you know the moment he arrived, but it was late, and there was quiet a commotion when he arrived. I thought it would be best if things quieted down a bit before you came."
"What happened?"
The older man sighed. "It seems my son was returning on his own from Tibur, and came across a merchant and his grandson being robbed while passing through the mountains. Thankfully he was able to stop the thieves and restrain them for the highway guards. An officer that accompanied the merchant told me that particular group has been terrorizing the passes for months now. Touma is being hailed as a hero." He paused to drink from a nearby cup. "But he lost consciousness shortly after the fight, and had to be brought back to us in the merchant's wagon. Our doctor looked at him and found a severe bruise on one side of his head. The boy thought perhaps he had been struck during the fight, but said that he never saw the robbers land a single blow. Touma said he probably hit his head when he fell unconscious, but the bruise had been covered with a strip of linen, and the merchant said that Touma was already wearing it when he came to their aid. He was hiding the bruise before the fight, so it must have occurred before hand."
Seiji frowned a bit. So he didn't return with Gaius. And he was injured either in Tibur or on his way home, he thought. Why would Touma lie about that?
Touma's father looked at him apprehensively and said, "I haven't seen it for myself… but the doctor told me the bruise has marks that looked like the imprints of rings."
"Rings?"
The older man nodded. "Large, expensive rings. The kind nobles wear. Someone must have struck him. And whoever did was wearing a small fortune on their hand."
Seiji's eyes narrowed and he seethed with anger. Touma's father didn't need to say anymore. The implication was clear. He sat quietly for a moment, trying to calm himself. He tightened and released his grip a couple times before exhaling softly. "Can I see him?"
"He awoke shortly before day break and was acting very withdrawn. He said that he didn't want any visitors. He may refuse even you."
Seiji gazed out into the courtyard. He knew that if Touma were really traumatized, he would withdraw completely and try to deal with it on his own. He wasn't the type to ask for support from anyone. He was too damn proud. Seiji had dealt with Touma when he was like this before, and knew that just getting to him to offer help would be a challenge. If Touma wanted to be left alone, he could make it quite hard for anyone to get near him. Seiji couldn't very well just go charging up the stairs of someone else's house when their son refused to see him. And there was also the matter of the argument that they'd had before Touma had left for Tibur. Things between them were still awkward, and that would only encourage Touma to avoid him.
The older man seemed to sense what Seiji was thinking. "Two days," he said.
Seiji looked up at him. "I'm sorry?"
"I will give him two days. If he is still refusing to see you by tomorrow evening, you have my permission to go up to him, whether he wants you to or not."
Seiji gaped at him, then his expression softened a little. "Thank you sir."
Touma's father stood. "Just do what you can for him. Your probably the only one who can get through to him when he's like this." He headed to the door. "I will have a servant wake him for the midday meal shortly. I'll tell him you're here to see him then."
Seiji nodded and thanked him, and was left alone in the small room. He sighed deeply, leaning his head back to stare at the ceiling. Lousy timing, he thought sourly. Now he didn't know how long he would have to wait to settle his feelings with Touma. Why does it always end up this way? Something always stops us from just being honest with each other.
True to his word, Touma's father returned to Seiji just before the meal. Touma had adamantly refused to see Seiji and had told his father to send him away. The older man apologized and asked him to return again later that evening to try again. But when Seiji returned just before nightfall, he was turned away for a second time. Frustrated by his friend's stubbornness, he headed home, with a promise to Touma's father to return again the next day. The next morning, when Touma predictably refused the company again, his father descended the stairs and approached Seiji with a subtle smirk on his face.
"He's becoming annoyed now," he said with a hint of mirth.
Seiji chuckled. He knew Touma's father enjoyed pestering his son every once in awhile. But Touma's annoyance was also a good sign. It meant he was beginning to snap out of his lethargic state. Left with nothing else to do, Seiji roamed the city for a while until the sun began to sink into the western sky. By the time he returned to his friend's home, it was almost dark. Asked to give Touma one last chance before they went against his wishes, Seiji waited in the dimly lit atrium until the older man returned with Touma's answer. Still being as stubborn as ever, Touma had refused to see him.
Seiji shook his head in aggravation but Touma's father quickly raised a hand to calm him. "Go ahead. There's no telling how long he will stay like this if he's left alone. Just make sure he doesn't get up. He needs to stay in bed until he's had more time to heal." The man handed him a small oil lamp to light his way up the stairs.
Taking the lamp, Seiji nodded resolutely and made his way up towards Touma's room. He paused just outside the door and squared his shoulders, preparing himself for a battle of willpowers. He was determined not to back down until everything was settled between them. He took a deep breath, opened the door and walked inside.
The room was completely dark except for the flame of a small oil lamp hanging from a stand off in a corner. In the faint light Seiji could make out a brazier in the middle of the room, but the coals in it were dim and it was hardly providing any heat to the room. The doors to the balcony were ajar to let out some of the smoke from the lamps and heater, and as he turned to the bed at the far side of the room, he could see that the window over the bed was open as well. He shivered. With all the windows open and the brazier so low on fuel, the cold air outside had filled the room. But Touma enjoyed the cold, so it didn't surprise him.
He expected to be yelled at any moment as he approached the bed. But he heard nothing except the sound of his own footsteps. As the light from his small lamp washed over the bed, Seiji looked down to find Touma laying on his back, eyes closed and fast asleep. His father was just in here! How could he fall back asleep so quickly? Seiji shook his head. His friend enjoyed sleeping more than any other person he knew, and it would take quite a bit of effort to wake him now, judging from the deepness of his breaths. And Seiji didn't have the heart to wake him. Especially when he was injured.
He frowned slightly and leaned over, bringing the lamp close to Touma's forehead. There, covering his right temple was the angry purple and red hues of the large bruise. He peered at it, trying to find the marks he had been told about, but the light was too dim. He would have to wait for daylight to get a better look. As he pulled away, something else caught his eye and he paused. The light blanket covering Touma had been pulled down slightly, exposing part of his chest. Seiji leaned forward again and brought the light close.
There were lines on Touma's skin. Seiji gently pulled the blanket back just enough to get a better look, and as his eyes adjusted to the darkness he realized what he was looking at. They were scratch marks, wounds left from someone tearing their nails along his skin. Seiji narrowed his eyes angrily and pulled the blanket back just enough to see how far down they went. From what he could see, they ran the entire length of Touma's chest. Steadying his shaking hands, Seiji pulled the cover back over his friend's sleeping form. What happened to you Touma? he wondered silently, now more troubled than ever.
He set the lamp down on a nearby table and walked over to the brazier. He didn't want to freeze while he waited. He placed a few new coals on top of the old ones, blowing gently to spread the fire. Once he was satisfied with that he took a small chair from a corner and placed it next to the bed. He sat and folded his arms in determination. He would be right here when Touma woke up. Then they would settle everything, and Seiji could find out the story behind his friend's injuries. All he could do now was wait.
It was hot. He heard the clinking of oil jars and the rattle of the wagon, and could smell the bundles of fresh grass he was laying on top of. He opened his eyes to find that boy above him again. He was back in the wagon. Must be dreaming, he thought detachedly.
"Ah! You're awake! Grandpa, he's awake!" the boy called up to the old man before looking back down at him. "Don't worry, we asked a guard to lead us to your house. I knew it was you! You're famous! I…"
"Let him sleep child," the old man admonished the boy gruffly. The boy looked a bit disappointed but nodded and quieted.
Touma tried to force him a smile, but the pain was still too much to bear, and his eyes fluttered and closed. When he opened them again, the flashback was gone and his dream had changed. He was now in his room, lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling. He was still hot, and his head still hurt. Why is it so hot? he wondered.
He turned to look out over the room, his vision swimming. He could make out the glow of bright coals in the brazier. That's why. Who put those there? A blur of something light colored lying on the bed near his waist caught his eye. He blinked a few times, trying to clear his vision. When the image finally came into focus, he froze, his eyes wide.
"Seiji…" he murmured. His friend was resting his head peacefully on the edge of the bed, his crossed arms serving as a cushion. His eyes were closed and Touma could hear his gentle breathing. He smiled sadly. Now even my dreams are mocking me, he thought. He reached out and gently ran his fingers through his friend's blond hair. It was just as soft as he had imagined it would be. "At least here I don't have to worry about upsetting you," he said quietly.
Suddenly the sleeping figure began to wake, and as Seiji's eyes opened slowly, the fog in Touma's head finally began to clear. When his friend glanced up toward the hand in his hair, Touma frowned. Wait…This isn't…he thought, slowly pulling back his hand.
Seiji blinked sleepily and sat up. "Your awake finally."
This isn't a dream! thought a horrified Touma, feeling the color drain from his face.
Apparently unfazed, Seiji leaned forward and asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Wha… What are you doing in here?" Touma blurted.
"I was sleeping. Now I'm asking you how you're feeling," Seiji replied evenly.
Touma glared angrily. "I said I didn't want to see you! How did you get in here?"
"Your father let me come up here. We were worried about you," he replied in the same even tone.
Touma was irate now. "I'm fine! Now get out."
"No."
Touma sat up, his voice growing louder. "I said get…" Suddenly the world pitched violently to the side and he felt the bed fall out from underneath him, hurling him forward.
"Touma!" he heard Seiji call out, and then two strong hands grabbed his shoulders. He blinked and looked up. He was still in his bed, with the world still firmly rooted beneath it. Seiji was standing in front of him, holding him steady, the stool he had been sitting on now upset on the floor. Touma's head spun, and the world threatened to upend itself again. He felt Seiji ease him back down onto the bed.
"Calm down Touma. Your still badly injured," his friend said in a firm tone.
Touma resigned to laying back down, but turned his face away. "Please, just leave me alone."
"I want to know what happened."
"Nothing happened."
"Then how did you get that bruise on your temple?" Seiji asked.
"I probably hit it on a rock when I passed out on the road," Touma replied, sticking to the story he had told the doctor and his father.
"I doubt that. Unless the rock was wearing a noble's rings, and the bushes you fell into left those marks on your chest."
Touma cringed and stared up at him defensively. "How did you know about those?" he asked.
"Your blanket was pulled down while you were sleeping."
Touma looked stricken and turned away again. "Get out," he demanded through clenched teeth. He didn't want to talk about this, especially not with Seiji. He still felt humiliated by the whole ordeal.
"I wont," came the calm reply from above.
Touma fisted his blankets and glared up at his friend. "Just get ou--!" he yelled angrily, but was cut off as two hands slammed down palms first onto the bed, one on either side of his head.
"I wont!" Seiji snapped back, his face hanging just above Touma's. He looked furious, but he also looked hurt. "Not until you tell me what happened!" Touma felt Seiji's hands fist up on either side of his head. "And so help me Touma, you yell at me again and I'll add to your injuries." Seiji straightened himself and turned toward the upset stool. "Stop running away," he said softly, almost pleadingly. Seiji bent and picked up the chair, setting it upright on its legs. He turned and sat back down facing the bed, arms crossed and eyes closed, waiting.
Touma realized he had sunk deeper into his bed trying to shy away from Seiji's outburst. He had never seen his friend loose his composure like that before, and it had thoroughly unnerved him. He lay there, staring up at the ceiling again, knowing he wasn't going to win this fight. Something had changed in his friend. Touma glanced over at the unmoving figure and sighed softly. He had already lost this battle a long time ago.
"Can you help me sit up?" he asked quietly.
Seiji opened his eyes and looked up, all hints of anger gone from his face. He nodded and sat on the side of the bed, easing Touma into a sitting position, and holding him steady until his head stopped spinning.
No more secrets, Touma thought, releasing a shaky breath. "I'm going to start at the beginning and tell you everything." It was time to be honest, even if it meant risking everything. After all they had been through, he owed his best friend at least that much.
He started with his meeting with Gaius the night before Seiji had returned home, and worked his way forward, hesitating only a couple of times when he became lightheaded and paused to catch his breath. Seiji reached out to him but Touma held up his hand, wanting to do this on his own. He recounted his conversation with Gaius, and why he had reacted the way he had to the man's inquiry about his friend. "It's not that I wanted to keep others away from you. It was just him that I wanted to keep away. I've seen what he's done to people. I couldn't stand to see that happen to you too. I knew you wouldn't have anything to do with him anyways, but I didn't want him even thinking he had a chance, so I lied." He continued on to the next night when Seiji had arrived home, explaining that he hadn't actually meant to tell him about his conversation with Gaius, but when it had slipped out, he couldn't bring himself to lie to his best friend. "But I panicked at your reaction. You were mad, so I ran away." He put his head in a hand. "That was the worst thing I could have done."
For his part, Seiji stayed quiet the entire time, allowing Touma to tell his story at his own pace. He sat calmly on the side of the bed, his eyes never leaving his friend's face. Touma found it slightly intimidating, and kept his eyes turned down to his lap as he continued. He paused again before he began his account of the events in Tibur, but only for the briefest of moments. He had to remind himself he had decided to be completely honest and open with his best friend, and that meant telling him everything. He began to curl in on himself a bit when he came to the events that had occurred at the spring, but he felt Seiji discreetly move a little closer, and it comforted him enough to continue on.
He told of his trip home and the fight that had ensued on the road, and about how he didn't remember any more of the trip except for waking up that one time in the wagon. He didn't even remember being carried up to his bed by the servants. "When my father told me you were here to see me, I panicked again. I didn't want to face you after the way I'd left the other night, and also because I knew you'd demand to know what happened in Tibur. I knew you'd be smart enough to figure out I was lying about the bruise. I just… I didn't want anyone to know. Especially not you." His voice dropped to barley a whisper at the last part, and his expression turned slightly pained. Then he smiled almost sadly. "But you just wouldn't give up, would you? You never let me have my way when I get like this." He sighed deeply. "So that's all of it."
Seiji remained silent and turned to study the dying coals in the brazier. Touma's heart sunk at the silence, but he calmed himself quickly. You did all you could by being honest, he told himself. I have to give him time. He's probably still angry with me…
"I would kill him…" came a soft reply, stirring Touma from his thoughts. He looked up. Seiji was still staring at the brazier, his expression mostly vacant, except for his eyes. They were smoldering.
"Seiji…?" Touma asked cautiously.
His friend exhaled sharply and turned back to Touma, but his eyes remained turned down. He shook his head and spoke through a tense jaw, "I would kill him… if it didn't mean I'd never see you again."
Touma stared dumbly at him. What does he mean by that? But he spoke up quickly. "Stay out of it Seiji. I'm not going to let you get involved."
"Not going to let me?" Seiji's gaze snapped up and he raised his eyebrows incredulously. "Touma, I'm closer to you than anyone! What am I supposed to do? Just tell you that I'm sorry for your misfortune and let it go at that?"
"I can handle this on my own…"
"Damn it Touma!" Seiji snapped and turned away angrily.
Touma flinched. He had done it again, tried to push his friend away. They sat in silence for a few awkward seconds before Touma heard Seiji snort as he turned back toward him.
"You never let me help you," his friend said softly, but there was no anger in his voice. Touma looked up as Seiji reached to place a gentle hand on his shoulder. He gazed at Touma with sad eyes, but there was a trace of a smile on his lips. "Even after all this," he continued, "you're still too proud to let me bear some of it for you." He smiled and shook his head. His grip moved to the back of Touma's neck as he pulled his head forward and leaned in to rest their foreheads together.
The gesture was a friendly one, and Touma closed his eyes as he felt the gentle support of his friend.
"So damn proud…" Seiji muttered with a hint of exasperated amusement.
"My pride is all I have," Touma replied softly.
"No, it's not," came a firm response, and Touma felt Seiji's hand tense on his neck. "You have me too."
He felt Seiji pull back just a bit. The hand at his neck slid up into the hair just behind his ear, and a gentle thumb reached down to lightly brush the back of his jaw line. Touma glanced up apprehensively as his friend leaned down, bringing their faces so close he could feel Seiji's gentle breath on his lips.
"Let me help you," came the soft plea as Seiji closed the short distance between them, brushing their lips together in the faintest of kisses.
What!? Touma's eyes went wide and the world spun again.
Seiji felt his friend tense beneath his touch and suddenly his sensibility came rushing back. Glancing up at Touma, he found his friend's eyes wide with shock. Seiji pulled back suddenly, a sense of dismay sweeping through him. What are you doing? he angrily berated himself. This is only going to complicate things right now!
"I'm sorry," he said quickly, turning his eyes away. "I didn't mean to…" He hesitated and glanced up at Touma. His friend's face was turned down, his eyes hidden behind his bangs. Seiji cringed remorsefully and ran a hand through his hair. Too late now, he thought. "I didn't mean to surprise you. I just don't want you to push me away anymore. I'm tired of chasing after you. I just wanted to show you… that I want..." He trailed off for a second, realizing that now he was just babbling in a panicked attempt to avoid an awkward silence. He stared down at his hands fisted in his lap. "You were hurt, and I can't help thinking it's somehow my fault. I should have stopped you from leaving that night. I should have found some way… held you against the wall and made you listen. If only I'd understood my own feelings sooner, maybe I could have…"
The words suddenly froze in his throat as he felt fingers touch his chin and slide up his cheeks. He looked up to find Touma holding his face in trembling hands.
Touma's eyes were still hidden from view under his bangs as he opened his mouth. "Again," he said softly.
Momentarily speechless, Seiji sucked in a sharp breath. "Touma…" he finally breathed.
Touma leaned forward, his voice now barely a whisper. "Again… please," he pleaded.
The desperation and urgency in those two words sent a shiver coursing through Seiji, and in an instant, his self-control shattered. He reached up, sliding a hand into the hair at Touma's nape and, without a moment's hesitation, leaned forward, seizing Touma's mouth with his own. He felt his friend shudder against him as they pulled each other close, both feeling the need to eliminate every inch of open space between them. The kiss was desperate, crushing, almost suffocating at first, both of them dismissing their restraint in order to express their need to the other. Together they poured out years of frustration and longing into the kiss, neither one realizing until then that they had so much pent up after all that time. Somewhat out of breath, they eventually slowed, content with simply holding and savoring each other for a while.
With a shiver, Touma pulled away and leaned down to rest his forehead on Seiji's shoulder.
"Are you alright?" Seiji asked, alarmed.
"I'm fine," came the soft reply. "Just a bit light headed."
Seiji smiled and ran his fingers gently through Touma's hair, pausing when he felt the hand on his chest fist into his clothing. "What is it?"
"How long?" Touma asked. "How long have you felt… like this?"
"I'm not sure. Probably a while now. But I didn't realize it until the day you left for Tibur. Watching that little parade made me mad and got me thinking."
They both chuckled a bit at this. Seiji tightened his hold a bit. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Touma didn't say anything for a while, then replied "I didn't want to risk scaring you away. I thought that… if I could at least stay next to you as your friend, then that was enough for me."
Seiji's heart ached for his friend. He leaned his head forward to put his lips close to Touma's ear and said gently, "I could never reject you."
"I know. I understand that now." Touma raised his head to look at Seiji. "I'm sorry for doubting you, and for making you chase me." He smiled a bit. "Even though all that chasing was really good for my ego," he added teasingly.
"I see." Seiji grinned. "All this time you've been boosting your ego at my expense. Some friend you are." They both laughed.
Seiji took hold of his shoulders and pushed him back down into the bed. "Still plenty of time for you to get some sleep before the sun comes up. Rest now."
Touma looked up at him and nodded. "Hey," he said, catching Seiji's arm before he could pull away. "Sleep next to me."
Seiji blinked in surprise and then nodded. He smiled as he began shedding his heavier outer garments. "Sure you don't want me to throw a few extra coals in the brazier?" he asked playfully.
Touma narrowed his eyes at him. "I'm guessing you're the one who made it so hot in here earlier?"
"I wasn't going to freeze while I waited for you," he said indignantly, sitting on the side of the bed and removing his sandals. "Fine, I wont add any coals. But that means you have to keep me warm."
Touma chuckled as Seiji, still clothed in his tunic, laid down next to him, staying above the covers and pulling his extra clothes over him for warmth. Noticing Touma's bemused stare, he explained, "Wouldn't want your father coming in in the morning to find you naked under the covers with me."
Touma looked down at his covered form as if remembering that he had no clothes on beneath the blanket. "Yeah," he agreed. "He probably wouldn't care though." He stifled a yawn.
"Sleep now," Seiji encouraged, and Touma nodded, closing his eyes. Eventually, his breathing slowed and his body relaxed, settling further into the mattress. Seiji laid quietly next to him, watching him sleep. After a few minutes, just as he was beginning to drift off himself, the sound of voices drifted in through the window from the avenue below and caught his ear. A couple of passersby were drunkenly singing the praises of Rome's soon-to-be new emperor as they wandered the streets.
Seiji closed his eyes with a weary sigh.
"You know they're going to make him emperor…" he heard Touma say quietly.
He started a little, thinking his friend was already asleep. He reached up, hooking a hand around Touma's shoulder and pulling him closer. "Try not to think about it. We can deal with it later. Just sleep for now."
He smiled when Touma moved a bit to settle against him.
"Thank you. For everything," his friend said softly.
Seiji replied with a gentle kiss to his shoulder, and then they both closed their eyes, giving in to the lure of sleep.
Continued in Chapter 5
A/N: Oi! Two and a half months in between chapters? That's just mean! Sorry it's been so long. I was just finishing up the final part of this chapter when the last review came in. Didn't realize it had been so long until I looked at the date on my last update. I ended up getting sucked back into WoW, the fall semester started, and I got hooked on a really REALLY long fic. Like, really long. I ended up reading more than I was writing! But I promise to try to not take so much time in between chapters from now on.
And thank you SO MUCH again for the kind reviews! One of the best things about writing is knowing people enjoy my work as much as I do. As always, more reviews are welcomed and greatly encouraged!
