Part Twenty-Five:

Fai held out his hands and frowned at the ice melting off the cheery trees. He could see the tell-tale signs of Spring from tiny pink blossoms struggling to open. The cold droplets on his palms only served to depress him. He felt Kurogane walk up behind him and wrap his arms around his waist.

"We'll be seen, out in the open like this," Fai pointed out. This was a secluded grove of cherry trees several yards from Kurogane's family home. It had a high fence around it, but Fai was used to being very circumspect by now.

"Everyone's busy getting ready for Aya's arrival tomorrow," Kurogane explained. Fai leaned back against Kurogane's chest and enjoyed not sneaking around for once, just like when they were traveling around Nihongo. "Do you want to take a walk?"

"Sure."

Kurogane let him go and they started walking down the trail lined with cherry trees. He glanced up at Kurogane. His lover was tired and troubled. All he wanted to do was take Kurogane's mind off his problems. He flashed a smile and said, "So I guess ski season is over in Suwa."

"What's ski?"

"That would be skiing when you're doing it because it's an activity. I guess you don't have that in Nihongo?"

"What is it?"

"Next time you're in Celes I promise to take you."

"I'd actually love to be in Celes right now," Kurogane said.

Fai's eyes went wide and he stifled a belly laugh. "You'd visit that... let's see... what did you call my home? A forsaken ice pit?"

"It's what will be in that forsaken ice pit I crave."

Fai felt a warm rush. Kurogane wasn't the most romantic person, but he'd say wonderful things to take him off guard every now and again. He was quiet for a few moments and then asked, "So would you visit Celes? In the future?"

Kurogane was silent; he appeared as if he were weighing something out. "I don't know. I'd want to."

"Would our relationship be just friendship or could it be more?"

"You're asking me question I don't know. Outside of a wakashudo relationship, it'd be considered unseemly to be with another man."

"And that I don't understand," Fai said, getting mildly annoyed at Nihongo's elaborate customs. "So if you were teaching me how to be a ninja, no one would raise an eyebrow at our relationship, even if you were married? But because we just want to be together, it's considered terrible?"

"Intimacy is understood to be something that helps bond the master and apprentice, and it's only temporary. Once the apprentice finishes his training, it's considered taboo to continue sleeping together. My culture places great importance on bloodlines and lineage. Our religion centers on our ancestors and the wisdom they've passed down to us. To enter into a permanent type of relationship, like what we have, is considered disrespectful to our ancestors because the bloodline would end," Kurogane explained patiently.

Fai felt a little upset because he was adopted, and bloodlines weren't such a high priority, at least with Ashura. Ashura had raised the twins to ignore nobles like Duchess Naidra that questioned their right to rule over Celes. He always maintained that Fai and Yuui were his true and legitimate children since they were five years old. He felt as if he would be snubbed in Nihongo society for being adopted, and he was about to question Kurogane on it. He felt his feet give away and he landed in a puddled of mud.

"Fai!" Kurogane scooped him up even though his yukata was covered in mud.

"Stupid geta! I still can't walk in them. I want my boots back," Fai whined as Kurogane lofted him and walked him over to a bench in the grove.

He placed Fai on the bench and sat at his feet. "Are you okay?"

"My ankle hurts." That was the truth. It throbbed, but not a great deal. He just was enjoying Kurogane's concern. Kurogane tossed aside Fai's geta and started to rubbed his left ankle.

"Better?"

"A little higher," Fai taunted as he hiked the hem of his yukata over his knees to his mid thighs. Kurogane's eyes grew needy at seeing the flesh.

"You're too bold, mage."

"I thought you loved that about me."

"I do," Kurogane said as his hands traveled further up Fai's leg. Fai threw his head back and groaned, starting to get aroused at Kurogane's touch. He felt the ninja's hand slide up to his bare, inner thigh. Fai let his legs drift apart to give Kurogane better access.

"Please touch me," Fai begged, focused solely on what was going on between his legs. Kurogane kissed him passionately, his hand was headed towards his groin.

Everything halted with the gruff, "What's the meaning of this!"

Fai parted from Kurogane and scrambled to lower the hem of his muddy yukata over his bare legs. He recognized the voice of Lord Suwa. He looked over in trepidation at Kurogane's parents. Lady Suwa's hands were covering her lips, her eyes wide. Lord Suwa looked a mix of furious and confused.

Kurogane stood from the bench. "I didn't want you find out this way."

"What is going on, Kurogane? Answer me now!" his father raged.

"The mage and I are together," Kurogane admitted, with squared shoulders and a firm tone.

"Get inside to my sitting room. Now! You, mage, to your room until I send for you. I don't want to see you right now."

"Yes, sir," Fai said, his stomach churning horribly. He shot Kurogane a quick glance. The ninja nodded, a resolute expression on his face. Fai quickly headed out of the orchard, knowing Kurogane had to handle his parents. If he inserted himself, it would only make things worse.

Tanya looked over to where her nephew had fallen asleep over a thick stack of books. She shook her head and sighed when he started drooling over her books. She marched over and shook him. He started and jerked upright.

"Auntie? I was studying. I'm sorry."

She smiled at him and said, "I'm just glad you took a leaf from Yuui's book and started studying for your D title seriously."

He stretched and got a little more awake in spite of his stifled yawns, his gray eyes now more alert. "I want to get the D title so I can make a good living and support Drysi. I really want to make her proud."

She smiled at Zellen and brushed his wheat colored hair back from his brow. "I've gotten to know her over the last six weeks. She's a girl with strong character. It wouldn't matter if you have a D title or not. She's only concerned about your character. How you treat others and what your ethics are, that's all she's watching."

"Great!" he said in sarcasm. He sullenly said, "Considering how we started off, I'll never dig my way out."

"You've made more progress than you think. She's been watching how hard you've been studying to make a good living for you both. She's grown to admire that."

"Really?"

"She's told me the other day how impressed she was about the hours you were putting in. But let me warn you, Zel, you need to also spend time with her."

"But I want to take care of her. The best way to do that is becoming a healer with a D title so I can get regular work. Maybe even join the army as a healer."

"The army? Zellen! You'd never fit into the army. You're only grasping at things because you feel desperate. No need for it. Just relax. You and Drysi can stay in my house until you can figure things out. Spend more time with your bride or you'll lose what you're working for."

He nodded, looking solemn. "I don't want that. I just want to make her happy and comfortable."

"Then go enjoy life with her rather than burying your nose in books out of guilt. Build a life with her, or you'll regret ever minute you've spent reading a book."

Zellen smiled and nodded. "You're right, I haven't spent any time with her recently. She's lonely, isn't she?"

"Very much so," Tanya replied. "She's in a strange town away from her family. I've taught her how to knit and play chess. There's not much else I can do to entertain her, nor should I. It's your job to be her mate."

"Thank you, Aunt Tanya. I'm sorry about all this..."

She wave her hand and said, "I like Drysi a great deal. She's a wonderful girl and I see why you fell for her."

"I really do want to make her happy."

"I know. That's why I say go spend time with her! That will make her happy."

"Okay," Zellen said, popping up and giving Tanya a kiss on her check before he ran out of the library. She just chuckled and shook her head.

Kurogane knelt in front of the dais where his father sat, looking extremely incensed. "Explain yourself."

It was the first words from him since they had come in from the grove. Kurogane knew his father was normally jovial, but when he was angry, it was hard to make peace with him. He also knew lying would only make things worse; it wasn't something he'd do anyway. It was his lying by omission that had gotten him into this situation in the first place.

"I'm intimate with the mage."

"For how long."

"Since our trip around Nihongo."

"That long? Why? How did this happen?"

"There came a point I just couldn't ignore him."

"As womanish as he seems, the fact is the mage is still a man."

"I'm well aware of that, Father," Kurogane mumbled.

"Don't be impertinent!" His father sighed and ran his hand over his long, dark hair. Now he looked as if he were mentally wrestling with his emotions. "So this is what's been eating at you since your return from Edo. Listen, I understand how sometimes on the battle field warriors get lonely and sometimes seek out companionship from each other. It's not unheard of. Is that what this is?"

"No. It's more serious than that. I have deep feelings for Fai."

"I was happy to indulge some of your whims when you were a child, but not now that you're a man. You have to put this aside. You have responsibilities now. One of those is producing an heir for Suwa. That's something the mage can't do for you."

"I realize that."

"So you'll put the mage aside now and concentrate on your future duties as a husband?"

"I made a vow to be loyal to him until the very last minute that it wasn't possible. His father hasn't come for him yet and I'm still not married."

"So in other words, no?" Kurogane nodded. "You do remember that loyalty to family comes above all else?"

"Yes, Father. My intention is to serve you and mother by carrying out the wedding after Fai leaves."

"You can't mess this up and let your bride know. It would dishonor her. Besides, your relationship with your cousin Ran isn't very good. This would make things worse, because he already has accused the mage of being a vixen."

"It wasn't my intentions to let anyone know."

"Intention is not fulfillment," his father snapped. His father crossed his arms, looking remarkably irritable. "I won't send the mage back to Edo, yet, because that would require an explanation. But if you ruin things with Aya-chan, the mage will no longer be welcome in Suwa. Understand?"

"Yes, sir." Kurogane rose and gave his father a bow before leaving. He felt incredibly lucky his father wasn't packing Fai off right away.

"Mage? Can I come in?"

Fai hopped up and stilled his trembling. He pushed open the door and put on a friendly smile. "Hello, Lady Suwa. I guess Kurogane is still talking to his father?"

"Yes, so I thought I'd have a word with you."

"Please come in," Fai said and let her step into his room. He shut the door and sat with her at the writing table. "I guess you've come to talk about Kurogane and me?"

"I can't say that I'm surprised. Kurogane and you seem so close, and Kurogane just hasn't seemed him self since he got back from Edo."

"I know. He was worried about you finding out about us. He was hiding things and it's just not in his nature to be dishonest. He hates lying."

"We've always encouraged him to be forthright."

"He was afraid of your disapproval."

"It's frowned on, because a family line could come to an end. Kurogane is our only son. It's very important to see Kurogane carry on our traditions."

"I know, he's told me. We only had plans to be together until I have to go back to Celes."

"It makes sense why Kurogane has been so reluctant and pushed the wedding back to the Summer."

"This may be hard for you to hear, but I care a great deal about Kurogane. When I think about leaving him I get an ache I can't bear."

"Would your own father approve?"

"Few people on Celes form these relationships, but it's not really frowned on like it is here. He would get angry about something else. So do you know what's going to happen now?"

"I don't know. Kurogane's father isn't pleased."

"Nothing is going to happen, for now." Fai flinched at the sound of Kurogane's voice from the doorway. "However, if things don't go smoothly with Aya-chan, you could be sent back to Edo."

"I'm not surprised," Fai said. "I promised to not interfere with your courting rituals. I'll keep to myself when... she's here." Fai was appalled at the unvarnished jealousy in his own voice, unable to even say her name. He pushed on a fake smile and a gave a slight chuckle, hoping to cover his mistake. "I'll stay tucked away in my room. I know Kurogane's cousin Ran isn't exactly my biggest fan."

"To say the least," Kurogane sneered.

"I had better go talk to your father." Lady Suwa rose from the table and turned to leave.

"Mother." She paused and gave Kurogane in inquisitive look. "I'm very sorry for lying to you and Father. I regret I wasn't forthright with you about Fai."

"Kurogane, that's what hurt me more than anything. If you would have told me to begin with, I could have tried to understand. Now, a lie is tainting that understanding. Let me sleep on this." She then gave Kurogane a small smile of pity. She walked over to him and patted his arm. "I'll talk to your father."

"Thank you so much, Mother. It was never my intentions to hurt you or Father."

"Everyone makes mistakes. Now you know why we impressed honesty as a virtue. It keeps your loved ones from getting hurt. Not just us, but think about the mage, too. If you care about him, you wouldn't have been deceptive about your feelings for him."

Fai noticed Kurogane paled and nodded, looking abashed. When Lady Suwa left, Kurogane turned towards Fai. "I'm also sorry for what I've done to you. I will not ever lie or hide our relationship again. It's not worth it."

"But... tomorrow..."

"Father and Mother raised me to be a man of character. It's unmanly to lie and not defend my loved ones. If I take this path, I may lose you early, but I can't violate character any more."

"I love you too much to ask that you violate that character. I may think nothing of lying because in my early childhood my and Yuui's survival depended on it, but you despise it. I don't want you to start hating yourself on my account. I'd sooner leave this minute than see that."

Kurogane let out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad things are out now."

Fai realized he, too, felt a burden lifted from his shoulders. "Me too." Kurogane reached out and drew Fai into his arms. Fai's anxiety crept in. "So now what?"

"I don't know, mage. Our future isn't certain."

"Weddings are wonderful when they feature a cute bride," Youji said. Mamoru sighed and looked over at the ardent playboy.

"Would you keep that talk to yourself. Ran is already frothing at the mouth." They both looked over their shoulders as they rode their horses. Behind them was the carriage carrying Aya, Ouka, and their things. Mamoru's sister, Ouka, was acting as Aya's bride's maid; she and Aya where chatting excitedly inside the carriage. Behind that was Ran and Ken on horse back. Ran was brooding and Ken just looked bored.

Youji and Mamoru met eyes once again. "Well that vixen mage did kick his ass pretty good. Rumor has it he's in Suwa as a guest of Lord Suwa's."

"It's not about that mage. It's about giving his sister away in marriage that's got him so aggravated," Mamoru said.

"That's true, but it's also being close to catching Schwarz that's got him aggravated," Youji said.

"We all need to be on guard," Mamoru said. After being silent for a while, Mamoru asked, "So would you ever get married again?"

Youji took a deep breath, his lips twisted into lop-sided smile. "I don't think I'll ever find someone like Asuka. She was a special girl. How about you? You're young and have a lot of responsibility running Tsukiyono, but you should find someone."

"Not until we're all avenged and Schwarz is dealt with. That's my vow."

"Hey! How much further?" Ken asked loud enough to catch Mamoru and Youji's attention.

"We'll be there by tomorrow morning," Ran answered.

"All this melting snow is making a mess," Ken complained.

"Deal with it," Ran snapped.

"Here we go. I'm surprised they haven't beaten each other to a blood pulp yet," Youji said softly to Mamoru. He then turned and looked at Ken. "Hey, Ken, switch with me!"

Before Ken could make a tart remark to Ran, he spurred his horse forward. Youji reigned his horse in and took Ken's place by Ran. Rather than engage with the surly Ran, he whistled a jaunty tune.

To be continued.