Thank you to The Ink Peacock, Coraz, Fairyprncss5678, IchigoGalaxy and Scarlett Kuchiki for your very encouraging reviews. Reviews are like tiny little presents. I love each one.
On a very unrelated note, Wednesday, April 23, 2014 is my baby boy's 6th Birthday. All of my writing goes around his school schedule, so if you enjoy the story, thank him, I have to get up at 6 am. Happy Birthday, Rajaji.
And without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I present The Woods of Arcadia.
Part XXVI: The Woods of Arcadia
Coyote Starrk inhaled deeply, the dwindling scent filling his nostrils. He released his breath slowly, as if he couldn't stand to lose the little bit of Shunsui Kyoraku and Jushiro Ukitake he could possess. He looked around the street, his blue eyes narrowed suspiciously, before pushing open the door to the tavern.
"What brings you to Falaisia, stranger? What can I do you for?"
"My business is my own." Coyote murmured as he looked around the sleepy tavern. They had been here, recently, at least within a month's time. Coyote's stomach fluttered with hope and he lowered himself onto a barstool with a heavy plop.
"Well if ya ain't got business, get to gettin'. We don't like strangers here, especially strangers with mean looks." The Barkeep paused a moment, scratching at his unshaven chin in thought. "Best not to leave too late, either. These woods are cursed."
"How much for the night?" Coyote asked, intrigued by the man's statement.
"I don't think you'd like the place." The Barkeep muttered, weighing in his mind the cost of trouble against the price of a room.
Coyote swung his legs to the side, standing from the barstool silently. He tossed back his long, brown curls and shot one last look around the room. He opened his satchel, the Barkeep noted the fine camel leather, and placed twenty gold drachmae on the bar with a clatter. "I require room and board for a fortnight."
"Ah! Welcome, Master…?" The Barkeep cried out jovially, a wide grin spreading his fleshy face.
"Starrk." He answered simply, his heavy boots pounding on the wooden floor as he walked to the door.
"Master Starrk, I am Christoforos Petros, proprietor and barkeep of this most noble establishment," Christoforos the Barkeep explained with a grin.
"I am out for the night. I require no further assistance." Coyote said firmly, his eyes searching out the window, scanning the fog drenched hills.
"What about dinner and breakfast?" Christoforos Petros called after him, scooping the heavy gold coins into his apron. "Wait! Master Starrk!"
Starrk turned and held up a large, gloved hand. "I require no further assistance, Christoforos Petros of Falaisia."
"Aye, Master Starrk, but I have to warn ya. The woods are cursed, best to stay away." Christoforos murmured and several patrons shook their heads in agreement. "Especially at night."
Coyote let the door slam shut behind him before grinning from ear to ear. I'm counting on it.
The bell jingled at the door, announcing Shunsui and Jushiro's arrival. The townsfolk of Falaisia dispersed quickly, making room for the two foreigners to approach the bar. Shunsui smirked, speaking to Jushiro in Japanese before leaning against the bar and addressing the room in Greek. "Evening, gentlemen."
"Ah! Masters Kyoraku and Ukitake." Christoforos Petros fumbled over toward them, pouring two large glasses of wine. "Have you heard the news? You are no longer the new guys in town."
Shunsui felt a vicelike grip around his heart, but he knew he must feign ignorance. His eyes widened in surprise and he turned to Jushiro, relaying the message in their own tongue. The Falaisian villagers watched them in awe, it was a rare treat to see the beast hunters from Far Away. "Is that so? And where does our new friend hail from? Surely not as far as we?"
"It's a mystery." Christoforos replied with a smile. "I'm afraid I have nothing but speculation."
"He's a Turk." "A Venetian!" "Obviously a mercenary from the Holy Roman Empire."
One of the townsfolk cleared his throat loudly before turning to face the two foreigners straight on. "I don't know what he is, but a Foreigner is a foreigner and we've had enough of 'em. Ottomans, Venetians, even Edo or Yamato or whatever ya call yourselves."
"We call ourselves Samurai, Mr. Kalfas." Shunsui explained with a smile. "And let me assure you, once our task is complete, we are on our way."
"Task." The man laughed to himself. "Oh yes! Your task to eliminate the monsters of our forest. How could I forget? You killed a werewolf last month!"
Jushiro stepped forward. His green eyes narrowed and his low voice rumbled. The townsfolk stared at him in wonder, completely unable to understand a word he spoke.
"Don't you dare!" A nervous looking man cried out, his forehead breaking out in a thin layer of sweat. "He could be cursing us! It's a bad omen to speak in unknown tongues!"
"I can assure you, Mr. Gogola." Shunsui Kyoraku groaned in frustration. "We mean no harm."
"Strangers bring death. You can't argue with that fact, Mr. Warrior-SAN." The first man called out in challenge. "Those woods were good when I was young. Stranger came one day, we let 'em into our fold set him right and now we can't even step in 'em woods without bringing death to our house."
"Well, we don't mean to upset anyone," Shunsui explained with a kind smile. "We'll take our supplies and be on our way."
"You still staying in that shack on the hill?" Christoforos called over his shoulder as he hefted a large bag of grain onto his shoulder.
"Wouldn't you know first if that were to change?" Shunsui asked with a laugh, inwardly groaning.
"Well ya know," Christoforos offered with a wriggle of his eyebrows. "There are several maids of marrying age in the village. Two men can't keep a house, if ya know what I mean."
The townsfolk laughed, the tension breaking like ice. Shunsui laughed along easily, relaying to Jushiro what the joke had been. Jushiro laughed, responding in Japanese, "You wouldn't even know what to do with a woman…"
"Wha'did he say?" Christoforos asked curiously.
"He said no woman would want me." Shunsui replied, his ears growing red at the chorus of laughter.
"Eh, fine built man like yourself could find a pretty little girl if ya wanted, especially with all that money ya keep on you." Christoforos teased, placing the last bag of supplies on the counter. "I have a niece, she might be a bit plain but she's young and unknown by man."
"Oh, it is such a compliment, but no thank you." Shunsui bit down on his cheek, resisting the urge to laugh. "I'm afraid no woman would want me, truly."
"Good evening then, Master Kyoraku." Christoforos called after him. "And you as well, Master Ukitake."
They exchanged a look as the stepped out of the tavern, their fake smiles and demeanors falling away. Jushiro nodded curtly and Shunsui understood, they had to keep up the act, at least until they knew who was following them.
Coyote Starrk nudged the ravaged carcass with his boot, brushing his thumb through the cold blood. The creature had been dead at least four hours. He licked his finger clean, searching the area with intent. The breeze shifted and the hair on the back of his neck bristled. He sniffed the thick air and frowned. "Where are you?"
He climbed a nearby tree, his thick, long nails digging into the bark. He pulled himself onto a dense branch and laid his head against the trunk. He fought to keep his eyes open, red beams of dying sunlight warming his face. His stomach clenched painfully, complaining of hunger but he ignored it, watching with detachment as the sun faded into the West.
With sundown came a salty breeze and Coyote felt rejuvenated. He dropped from the branch, dropping limberly to his feet. He stretched his body, pulling his gloves from his breast pocket and pulling them over his long, thin fingers. He opened his satchel and removed his sickle-shaped blade, a Falcata sword. He licked his lips hungrily, his pronounced canines blindingly white.
And then the wind whipped in another direction and the scent reached him. He nearly hyperventilated, enjoying the rapturous scent so completely, that it filled not only his nose, but his mouth and throat. Another thicker scent began to overpower the first and he wrinkled his nose unhappily, almost furious. His hand tightened around the hilt of the blade and in the next moment he was running.
Jushiro swallowed a mouthful of green tea, the warmth spreading down his chest and to his stomach. He sat beside the window, watching Shunsui unhitch the mules from the wagon. Shunsui's shirt was slicked against his skin, his pronounced muscles flexing as he carried about with the manual labor. If the situation wasn't so serious, Jushiro would've given in to his arousal.
Jushiro took another sip of tea with a thoughtful frown. Snow was beginning to fall on the mountains behind them and already there was a light dusting around the shack, it was cold. He shivered, pulling his robe more tightly around himself. Snow will cover our tracks, Jushiro thought nervously.
The door banged open and Shunsui stepped into the shack, little flakes of snow melting to the floor. "Brrrrr."
"You should wear a coat." Jushiro suggested with a smile, gesturing to a freshly poured cup of tea on the table. Jushiro played his role perfectly, never sure when he was on stage.
"Mmmm." Shunsui licked his lips after downing the tea in one gulp. "Needs some liquor but it's still good."
"Not so fast." Jushiro chastised halfheartedly, shaking his head as Shunsui poured himself a glass of spirits. "When the green tea is gone. it's gone, until the Chinese traders return we won't be able to get more."
"Well, they should be around the next few days, before winter really hits and the mountain is impassable." Shunsui looked out the window absently, his eyes focused on the horizon. It was almost unbearable to sit there and pretend as if nothing was happening.
"What do you see?" Jushiro's deep voice was nothing more than a whisper.
"Hmmm?" Shunsui turned, shaking his head as if to clear it. "What was that, love?"
"Do you see something out there? In the woods?" Jushiro pressed, leaning forward in his chair with expectation. He couldn't contain his emotions much longer. Something had to give eventually.
"No." Shunsui answered quickly and firmly, turning away from the window and busying himself with the fire stove.
"Shunsui…" Jushiro's voice was gentle and coaxing. "Has he come?"
Shunsui exhaled heavily and leaned against the wall of the shack, his dark brown eyes wandering back to the window. He ran a hand over his goatee and shook his head sadly, he had to stick to the plan. "He's bound to come for me… since she's gone…"
"If we explain, he's bound to understand reason! Surely, the dark end you envisage is not the only outcome…" Jushiro crossed his arms over his broad chest, a heavy strand of white hair falling over his shoulder. "After all this time…" Shunsui murmured something under his breath and Jushiro allowed the comment to pass. "Are you hungry?"
"Eh," Shunsui shrugged his thick wool coat over his shoulders, his finger quickly brushing over the dagger hidden at his waist. "I'm gonna run a perimeter check."
"Alright," Jushiro replied quietly.
"Don't wait up."
Jushiro sat in his chair, his hands shaking as he reached for his mug of tea. To anyone who cared to look, Jushiro Ukitake was dying. Once a broad shouldered man with incredible strength, he was now reduced to an emaciated appearance, his handsome face sunken around the eyes. And as he sat in his chair, a coughing fit sending little explosions of blood into his handkerchief, he had everyone fooled.
As he sat, infirm and frail, staring out the window, he watched the man in the woods. Every day for weeks, he had sat in that chair, whispering his paranoia, vocalizing his discord with Shunsui. Every day for weeks he let that watcher in the woods think that he had the upper hand.
Jushiro's face twitched as he fought the urge to smile. Jushiro didn't mind playing the withering flower role; to be honest it suited his compassion. But it would be unfair to disown the part of him that itched for battle. And he nearly smiled as he thought about his two swords stashed underneath the table. He nearly smiled as his knee knocked against the hilts.
As soon as Shunsui Kyoraku's contract had expired he had been a threat marked for death. That bastard, Coyote thought with anguish, that bastard is afraid of what he'll do… And it was true. Shunsui Kyoraku and Coyote Starrk, two shifters from the same Master, were together responsible for destroying five wolf straps and, on his own, Shunsui had destroyed seven more. Twelve wolf straps. That was twelve more pieces separating Sosuke Aizen from his goal.
Coyote wasn't worried about the contract holders in the woods. Sure they were strong, vicious, and had to follow orders, but they were young, weren't comfortable with their abilities yet. Coyote was worried about the Master. If Coyote's intuition was right, the Master would be on his way. It was a race, him against the Master, who could get to Shunsui first.
'Stay out of my path, Coyote… I will kill even you if you defy me… and I hate when I have to break my toys…' The Master's warning reverberated in Coyote's head and he ran even faster, his arms and legs moving in sync. His breath came out in bursts like steam, and he growled, his legs moving so quickly the material of his clothing grew warm. 'You've been a good pet. Go enjoy your freedom… I promise, when it's time, I'll put you down gently…'
Coyote didn't even slow as he crossed another shifter and, surprisingly, the shifter didn't bother to stop him. He couldn't understand why, but it hardly mattered. If anyone tried to stop him, he would kill them. Nothing could stop him from reaching that cabin in the woods of Arcadia.
oOo
Shunsui walked in a big circle, not even bothering to scan the forest. His 'perimeter checks' were just an excuse to get out of the small cabin, to escape Jushiro's constant hacking and coughing. Shunsui kicked at a fresh pile of snow, sending it smashing into a nearby tree. All he wanted to do was go inside, grab Jushiro and kiss him. He wanted to kiss his breath away, make him dizzy and then pull him outside. He wanted to lift Jushiro over his shoulder and he wanted to run. He wanted to find Coyote.
Knowing he was out there. That he was close. That he would be seeing them soon. It was almost unbearable. 93 years had passed. That was more time apart, then together. 93 years of servitude. 93 years of pain. 93 years of misery. 93 years of being utterly alone.
He had wondered for 93 years if he would ever see Coyote Starrk again. It had been a terrible thought and it had haunted him. The loss consumed not only him but Jushiro and Orihime as well. Nothing had been the same. Every victory and every joy was tainted by his shadow. Every failure and every heartbreak was devoid of his light.
A sudden urge came over Shunsui and he laughed softly at the idea. He threw his head back and howled, loud and clear and commanding. It felt good, as if something in his chest had lifted. He howled again, even louder and, for the first time in 93 years, a howl answered him back.
AH-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Coyote's blood boiled, his vision blurring as his eyes seared with heat. It wasn't entirely unpleasant, but he had to resist, he couldn't transform here. Coyote couldn't afford to expose himself to unknown enemies. His pace quickened and he smirked mischievously. His alpha was calling him home.
Oh, God. His head swam in ecstasy. Their scents were strong as he ran through the forest. The mountains were crawling with their echoes. The hair on the back of Coyote's neck raised and gooseflesh prickled over his arms. It felt so good. He felt so free. He realized that he had forgotten what it felt like to hope.
And then he saw it, the little cabin that Shunsui and Jushiro had spent weeks building. It was slightly lopsided, but sturdy, with a modest garden on one side, and a small corral on the other. Coyote skid to a halt, lifting his hand slowly and reaching for the muzzle of the closest mule. It backed against the fence, its back hoof ready to dish out a kick. They began to bray loudly just as Coyote caught movement behind him. The mules, it seemed, were more than just useful transportation.
Coyote regretfully turned away from the cabin, where he knew Jushiro was sitting mere feet away. He could smell the green tea in his mug, oh that tasteless drink, and his stomach panged with want. Jushiro wasn't who they were after and seeing Jushiro now would only put him in danger. He pulled himself away slowly, continuing uphill, into more mountainous terrain.
Coyote followed Shunsui's tracks easily, stopping just a few yards shy of where Shunsui had laid down in the snow. Coyote peered at Shunsui's prone form, thinking, for a moment, that he might be dead. But when Coyote threw his satchel right in the middle of Shunsui's stomach, the larger man bolted upright, a strange hiss escaping his lips.
"Sleeping outside?" Coyote asked with a smirk.
"Just a little nap." Shunsui answered, a foolish grin on his face.
"In trouble with the missus?" Coyote teased.
"You know he'd make us pay for that statement." Shunsui pointed out with a soft laugh.
"You do know you're being cased, right?" Coyote asked, looking around suspiciously.
"Of course." Shunsui nearly groaned, climbing to his feet awkwardly. "I've just been waiting for you."
"Is this something Jushiro can't handle?" Coyote asked.
"He's getting worse…" Shunsui muttered, his voice trailing off.
"He's still got the wolf strap…" Coyote countered, a strange pit growing in his stomach.
"Yeah… I guess magic has a limit…" Shunsui whispered.
Coyote cleared his throat. "What's the plan? I'm assuming you do have one."
"Like I said, I've been waiting for you." Shunsui sighed heavily, brushing the wet snow from his pants. He reached forward in gesture, extending his arms widely for a hug. Coyote accepted, stepping into the hug awkwardly. "I'm afraid our grand and happy reunion has to wait, Coyote Starrk…"
Shunsui's eyes went wide, a peculiar tearing sound filling the narrow space between them. He looked down, staring numbly at the curved blade impaling him through the gut. Coyote smiled, arching a brow coolly. "Did you think I'm a fool? Did you think I can't smell your stench, you fucking little pig?"
"Coyote? It's me… Coyote… its Shunsui…" Shunsui groaned, dropping to his knees and gripping at the blade weakly. The blood splattered against the snowy ground, bouncing into tiny red balls before falling back to the snow in a steaming pool.
"What have I done? What I have I done? Oh no!" Coyote mocked, waving his hands back and forth dramatically. "Quit fucking around and get up…" Coyote nodded impatiently as Shunsui's form quivered, the stranger slowly returning to his usual appearance.
"We've been waiting for you, Coyote Starrk." Coyote eyed the transforming man thoughtfully, taking in his handsome appearance and scrutinizing every detail. His dark, curly hair was greasy, his smooth face was a little too elongated. His brown eyes were narrowed and his lips were twisted into a menacing smirk. "I'm not too thrilled to have your blade in my stomach. If you're not careful, I'll beat your brains in and fuck your eye sockets."
Coyote smiled, shrugging easily. If this man, with his fur collared coat and immodestly tight clothing, thought that a few harsh words could still bother Coyote Starrk, he had another think coming. "And to whom do I owe the pleasure?"
"Kugo Ginjo," the man replied, brushing his knuckles against his clothed arm. "Master sure does have a type, eh?"
"I don't understand what you're insinuating, except perhaps that he's in love with his own reflection…" Coyote turned around, plucking his satchel from the ground "I'm more curious about your first statement. Why exactly were you waiting for me?"
"Time is a mortal concept." Ginjo replied simply. "As an immortal I have no need of it. I figured as soon as you showed up, Kyoraku's contract had finally ended."
"Interesting plan and a rather dangerous ability." Coyote nodded in approval. "But I must apologize, I'm a mortal and time is very fleeting. Get to the point. Why the elaborate set up?"
"The Master has a proposition." Ginjo explained. "He has an offer that is too good to re-"
"Oh, fuck no." Coyote spat on the ground. "Go away. Come back with your army. Until then, leave us be."
"You'll die." Ginjo called out to him. "You'll die if you fight Aizen. I've seen how it plays out." Coyote's interest piqued, but he kept his head down, rearranging his belongings in the satchel methodically. "He kills you himself."
"That's too bad." Coyote muttered.
"Join me." Ginjo offered. "I'm like you and there are others like us too. Shunsui Kyoraku can never understand."
"I don't understand. How are we alike?" Coyote said skeptically.
"The Master's rage is terrible." Ginjo spoke slowly. "His love is even worse."
"So you don't work for the Master?" Coyote questioned unsurely.
"Well…" Ginjo replied. "It's complicated."
"No. It's really not." Coyote spat. "You either work for the Master, work with the Master, or work against the Master."
"And what will fighting him get you?" Ginjo pressed. "He will torment you in the next life too."
"I don't believe in the afterlife." Coyote answered simply.
"That's a lie." Ginjo muttered.
"Why are you here? Why Shunsui Kyoraku?" Coyote asked.
"The Master wishes him dead." Ginjo said with a shrug. "There's a great reward for making it happen."
"So we're enemies." Coyote stated matter-of-factly.
"I guess so." Ginjo agreed. "Should I give you a head start?"
"Don't make me laugh." Coyote barked. "Come back with your army."
"You're cocky." Ginjo snarled.
"No, I just know something you don't know." Coyote admitted with a smirk.
"Yeah, what's that?" Ginjo whispered, closing the space between them threateningly.
"Shunsui's not the only one," Coyote purred, brushing his lips across Ginjo's ear softly, "Who can fully transform."
Coyote watched Ginjo disappear into the forest, his mind racing. It was only a matter of time before the army did arrive, the Master himself included. God, I hope you've been preparing, Shunsui, Coyote thought.
"Hey, kid."
Coyote turned around slowly, somehow managing to keep his face from pulling into a foolish grin. "Hey, Kyoraku. Did you hear all that?"
"Yeah, I did unfortunately…You got… big." Shunsui realized, approaching Coyote as if he might suddenly blow away in the wind. "You've grown tall and broader…" Shunsui took Coyote by the shoulders, holding him at a good distance to look him over. "You're not a kid anymore…"
Coyote nodded nonchalantly, shrugging one shoulder. "I don't understand it completely, but I think it has to do with being around the Master after my contract expired."
Shunsui nodded, not understanding, not even caring for an explanation. Coyote Starrk was standing in front of him, inches from him, beautiful and strong and there… actually there. "She really missed you." He said, finally finding words again.
"Yeah." Coyote sighed, looking down at the ground to escape Shunsui's intense gaze.
"He really missed you too." Shunsui whispered, his fingers touching Coyote's face softly.
"Yeah. What about you?" Coyote asked, laughing softly, fully expecting a smart and playful response.
"I missed you the most." Shunsui breathed so softly that Coyote almost missed it entirely.
"I missed you too." Coyote said after a long pause. "I missed all of you."
"What you did…" Shunsui exhaled heavily. "Was too much. It was too hard for one person to…"
"It's over." Coyote interrupted, bowing slightly at the waist. "And if you don't mind, I'd like to see Jushiro now."
"Of course," Shunsui agreed with a laugh, but when Coyote moved forward Shunsui found that he was frozen in place, his hands wrapping around Coyote in a tight embrace. Coyote smiled sadly, a flicker of something dark in his eyes, and then he leaned into the touch, letting himself go.
"It hurt." Coyote barely managed to say, his throat constricting painfully. He didn't cry, maybe even couldn't, instead those two words released everything he had held in for so long. It hurt to leave them. It hurt to be alone. It hurt to remember. It hurt to serve the Master. It hurt to be beaten. It hurt when he thought he was forgotten. It hurt to hurt people. It hurt to be hated. It hurt to be a monster. It hurt to be cursed. It hurt to be unable to help them. It hurt to wonder how they were. It hurt to forget their voices. It hurt to forget their faces. It hurt to dream about them. It hurt to not be able to say goodbye. It hurt to be Coyote Starrk.
Shunsui didn't know what to say and it probably wouldn't sound genuine anyway. He couldn't know what it had been like, he couldn't understand absolute despair. But he loved Coyote and he had his share of hurt. So they stood there, for a long time, holding one another. Shunsui too afraid to let go incase Coyote might disappear.
They walked by starlight back to the cabin. They didn't speak but it was a comfortable silence and Shunsui couldn't help but admire the manly physique that Coyote now possessed. He had always been handsome, charming even, but now he radiated.
Jushiro was waiting at the door of the cabin, looking pale and emaciated but when he saw Coyote his green eyes lit up and the warmth reached his cheeks. He rushed forward and Coyote threw out his arms, welcoming him into an embrace. But instead Jushiro dropped to his knees, his cold hands searching for his.
Jushiro planted kisses over Coyote's gloved hands, pausing only a moment to reach down and kiss his feet. Coyote's eyes widened in surprise and he dipped down quickly, pulling Jushiro to his feet. Coyote kissed Jushiro on the lips, on the forehead, on the cheeks before resting his head on Jushiro's shoulder.
"You came back." Jushiro spoke softly, his long white hair falling into his face. "You came back."
"Of course I came back." Coyote murmured, twirling a strand of white hair around his finger. "This is where I belong."
"You grew up." Jushiro said after a long stretch of silence. "Somehow you ended up even more handsome…"
"… than Shunsui…" Coyote added with a straight face. "Yes, I know. It was previously though impossible, but I have done it."
"Watch it," Shunsui said, rapping Coyote on top of his head playfully. "Lying makes your nose grow."
"We need to discuss our plan," Coyote said reluctantly. "There isn't much time."
"Don't worry, we have a few friends keeping lookout tonight." Shunsui explained.
"Yeah, forget everyone else." Jushiro said softly. "Tonight it's just us. Tonight you're ours."
Coyote meant to laugh at the statement but instead he shivered, surprised as Jushiro's fingers danced across his shoulder. He looked at Jushiro's face, his cheeks stained pink and his green eyes hooded with lust. "Hey, uh…" And then every thought in the world evaporated as Shunsui's mouth crushed against his.