You Finally Got Some!

Mei had fallen asleep now. Sarevok gently slid from her side and awkwardly dressed into his traveling clothes. Should really buy one of those kimonos, so quick and handy to wrap around oneself... but the size might prove to be a problem. Well, that is why tailors exist. He took a fond look at the small sleeping shape at the futon and felt a jolt in his chest. Tamoko, this is what it felt like so long ago... she is different from you though. You always bore your warrior's grace with silent dignity and honor, the everpresent sorrow in your eyes... she looks like a pretty flighty creature but the hint of steel in her eyes and the stroll of a killer hint that there are secrets, even though her face is full of slyness and mischief.

The large warrior walked to the window and pushed it open. A cherry tree grew so close to the wall that Sarevok could reach his hand and pick one of the flowers. It was pale pink and perfect. Zakura. Ko-zakura, little cherry blossom. It was where the name of this land came from. He walked to the futon and with gentle fingers put the flower in Mei's shiny black hair. She stirred in her sleep, smiling. Saiai, she whispered.

Strange thing, Sarevok mused forth, is that now I don't feel guilty at all. I think... Tamoko approves. Yes, I know she does. She said so. I kept my promise to her. I slew Kusatte Iru. Perhaps... perhaps things are not so bad after all. Perhaps, one day, I will earn my redemption.

He slid the door aside and entered the hallway, almost bumping into Peri who was only dressed in her robe and walking barefoot. Kozakurans really gaped at anyone dressing that informally in a semi-public place, but that was not the sort of thing Peri generally paid attention to. She grinned widely.

- "Hey bro! Wow, you finally got some!" She highfived Sarevok, who returned the gesture somewhat irritably.

- "You know Peri, you really have a romantic way with words. I made love, and..." his voice trailed off.

- "Yeah, I screwed Yuki too! It was great! How about yours?"

Sarevok sighed deeply.

- "I have for long tried to deny myself this, in order to honor Tamoko's memory. Last night I declined from the fruition of our passion, for I didn't feel ready. However, the woman... Giro's co-conspirator, visited my dreams and it was very... disturbing. Mei... she comforted me... and suddenly it felt just right. Now... I love anew, and I think there is nothing wrong with that. I wish I am right."

- "Of course there's nothing wrong with that, you dickhead! In case you haven't noticed, your family has subtly tried to hint somesuch as of late. What did the bitch in your dream want?"

- "The usual. To stray me from my chosen path, to lust first after her and then power."

Sarevok described the dream of godhood to Peri, pain flickering in his eyes as he recalled how that very dream had elated him, given him strength in his rage and powerlessness.

Peri's eyes darkened with sorrow and love.

- "Yes... I can imagine. I remember you there, at the Undercity. All hate and desire for vengeance was gone from me. All I saw was a brother, ravaged by the same destructive madness that tugged me every day more than anyone knew. I wanted you with me, to struggle against becoming a hollow statue filled with Bhaal's energy. I cried for you Sarevok. I didn't let even Immy see, but I did."

Sarevok embraced Peri hard.

- "It was not to be... then. For that, and everything, I am sorry and always will be."

- "Don't be, Sar. It is water under the bridge. Much more has happened that will always bond us together. I will not leave back to the west, Sar. I will stay here if you will. I don't know if Yuki was just a one-night stand, but I perhaps... hope that it was more than that. We will see."

Sarevok smiled.

- "I am very glad to hear that. It would break my heart to part of you."

- "So, when will you and Mei get married?" Peri asked, smiling slyly.

- "We haven't discussed that yet," Sarevok said.

- "Mmm... actually I was jokingly asking how serious the relationship is, but it seems that it is one of those things written in Heavens," Peri said dryly.

- "Oh." Sarevok blushed, annoyed as he didn't get the joke.

- "Get her some tea to bed. I know I would love that," Peri advised. She herself used the privy and walked back into her own room. She pushed the door aside, and it slid without making noise. Yukemori didn't notice her. The young man held Umikaze, who was giggling, her eyes alight.

- "Yuki! Yyyyyyuki!"

- "Umikaze! Umikaze!"

He rocked the child on his knee, his face so kind and happy.

Yes, I hope it will be more than a one night stand.


saiai = beloved