The cart finally rolled to a stop in front of Ash's main temple. The young men, realizing that they were at their destination, started muttering to one another. Unlike back in the shopping district, where colorful stalls distracted them from their fate, here there were no illusions of safety. One of them was going to be chosen to die. At this realization, unease swept through them. Some of the men cried out; others became angry and raised their voices. Eiji was among the few who sat quietly and calmly. Looking forward he held his head up high, his face blank, his back straight. He faced the Hiereuses as they came out to stand on the balcony above them without a trace of fear in his posture. The only sign that he was at all scared was the slight tremble in the hand that was holding Ash's.

Somewhere above them, a horn sounded and the High Hiereus stepped out onto the balcony. His robes were gold and his arms tattooed with symbols of wheat, flames, and the sun. At the sight of him, the muttering from the carts ceased. The High Hiereus smiled down at them and opened his arms wide.

"My brother." He boomed. "Welcome. We meet on this glorious day to make a decision that will change the future of our country forever!" He smiled gently down at them. "Ash has sent me a dream, showing me that the sacrifice will be a young man," Ash growled. He knew he never sent the High Heraeus any dreams like that. "Unfortunately, only one of you will have the honor and the private of taking this sacred role. Only one of you will fuel Ash's flames with your body and soul. Here under Ash's setting sun, we will examine all those who are here and make our choices." He raised his voice louder. "Let the examinations begin!" Another horn blasted through the temple. The other Heraeus raised their hands and began a loud chant. As they did so guards appeared at the entrance of the temple and came around the cart to open the doors.

"Two at a time, go wait in the courtyard!" they yelled as the young men were unloaded. It took a while for them to get to Eiji's cart. The longer Eiji waited, the more his mask seemed to crack. By the time he was sent into the courtyard he was trembling all over again. He stumbled to an empty patch of grass and sat down burying his head in his hands.

"I know you told me everything's going to be alright, but I'm still scared." He muttered. "Sorry."

"Have I mentioned that your apologies too much?" Ash gently took his hands away from his face. "You're allowed to be afraid."

"I feel like a child," Eiji said quietly. "I want to be strong, but my mind is stuck on the worse possible scenario."

"You are strong." Ash kissed his forehead. Eiji didn't answer, his attention was drawn to the sound of a third horn. The courtyard fell silent as another Hiereus came out of a nearby building. Stopping in front of it he cleared his throat.

"When your name is called step into this building to be examined." He said as he unscrolled a list. Ash listened as the Hiereus started calling names. The people who were called numbly staggered to their feet and slowly made their way to the building. One young man tried to bolt. He only made it a few feet before two guards grabbed him and dragged him kicking and yelling towards the building. Ash watched them make their way across the courtyard. When he saw what building they were entering his temper flared. It was the building used for examining sacrificial items and goods. Animals, wheat, and other things were sent in there to check before being sent to the main temple. Ash did NOT want Eiji to walk in there. He wasn't something to be tested for a sacrifice. He was Eiji Okumura, his Eiji. The thought of Eiji being degraded like that was sickening. Ash held back his anger. It wasn't like he could do anything about it, and he didn't want to worry Eiji. All he could do was smile encouraging and follow Eiji when his name was called.

Inside one of the examining rooms, the Hiereuses had Eiji stand in the middle of the room where he could analyze him. He then proceeded to prodded and poke Eiji, examining every inch of him as if he was livestock for the slaughter. The man searched for any scares or blemishes, staring at Eiji without actually seeing him. It hurt so much to see Eiji's body being treated as an object. Ash's own flesh itched at memories of cold hands and uncaring eyes. He never wanted Eiji to feel that way. He wanted to rage again the Hiereus and demand that he took his hands off of Eiji. Unfortunately, it wouldn't do any good. This Hiereus couldn't see Ash. Only about half of them actually had sight. The others were just faking it. Some of what Ash was feeling must have shown on his face because Eiji shot him a weak reassuring smile. It came out lopsided and grin. Ash forced down his hate. He didn't want Eiji to comfort him. This wasn't about his pains or his past.

"Arm." The Hiereus commanded. Eiji held out his right arm and the Hiereus raised it above his head and check under it. He grimaced at the small birthmark that was slightly above Eiji's armpit. Reaching down he scrapped at it as if he was hoping it would come off. Ash clenched his fists trying to keep calm as a new wave of fury threatened to overcome him. How dare the Hiereus look at Eiji's birthmark as if it was a blemish on his body. How dare he touch it with so much disdain. Ash loved that mark. He would kiss it and listen to Eiji squeak in protest and wiggle adorably. He was so sensitive and easily ticklish there. Even now with the man touching it Eiji squirmed and let out an unwilling squawk. The Hiereus glared at him.

"Stand still." The Hiereus dropped Eiji's arm "and be quiet.". Eiji took a deep breath and turned his gaze back to Ash. The man reached down and prodded Eiji's belly. Eiji closed his eyes at the touch and Ash fought back a hiss. The Hiereus must have liked what he saw because he nodded approvingly and wrote something down on a list. The temperature in the room was rising with Ash's anger. It didn't rise enough to cause any drastic change, but it was enough for the Hiereus to notice. He wiped his forehead with his hand and went to open a window. The cool breeze that flowed in blew through the room fluttering the paper that lay on the desk. Ash, hoping for a distraction looked down at them. What he saw made things worse. On the top paper was a list of Eiji's different body parts placed in two columns labeled good and bad. There were notes next to many of them.

Muscles: Nice and firm, (acceptable)

Eyes: plain in color (not acceptable)

Hands, rough, not pleasing to look at. (not acceptable)

Face: young, (acceptable)

To see Eiji broken down like this as if each of his pieces had more value than his whole being made Ash sick. He didn't want to see Eiji's body parts labeled as "acceptable" or "not acceptable". He did not want to think that was how the Hiereus saw Eiji. It was hard to ignore though. The Hiereus's eyes were like that of a man in a butcher's shop; traveling critically over the different meats in front of him. He didn't see a human at all. He saw a potential sacrifice. Ash's stomach hurt. He wanted to escape but that would mean leaving Eiji and he couldn't do that. Instead, he closed his eyes for a moment hoping to erase the words on the paper.

It didn't help. Now all he could see now were the little comments next to each of Eiji's body parts. Irritation replaced disgust. What did the Hiereus mean when he said that Eiji's eyes were plain? Ash had rearranged the stars to better mimic the light that shown in them. What did he by Eiji's hand were "not pleasing to look at"? Eiji's hands were rough and sold. Ash loved following the lines on them with his figure. It was these lines that he placed in the dancing flames so that every time he saw a fire he would see Eiji's hands. How dare the man act like these qualities that made Eiji so beautiful were unacceptable. Ash took a deep breath and once again attempted to keep his anger at bay. He shouldn't be upset that the man saw so many "flaws" in Eiji. The more flaws he saw, the less likely Eiji was to be chosen.

Once this was all over Ash was going to have to do some major damage control. He would stay with Eiji as long as it took for him to feel better. Then, he was going to find a way to tear this Hiereus limb from limb. When he finished with that he would kiss every inch of Eiji that the Hiereus touched until Eiji felt whole and beautiful again. Right now, however, all he needed to do was make sure Eiji was alright. Even if it killed him to watch the man he loved was being treated like cattle he couldn't let that show on his face. Eiji was watching him searching for strength and condolence. Eiji didn't need was his righteous fury; he needed a distraction.

"So," Ash forcing his voice to sound conversational. "are you going to team up with Yumi and Sing this year for the summer equinox festive games?" Eiji started at him, trying to ignore the Hiereus that was measuring his right leg. "You guys were creamed last time." Eiji's brows furled, and he forced a small pout on his face. Ash took that as a good sign.

"It was hard to watch." Ash sighed dramatically. "When you faceplant into the dirt during the sack race I thought I was going to die." He smiled evilly. "from laughter that is. You weren't even able to finish it. One would think that after years of skillful labor in the fields that you could do something as simple as jump in a sack." Eiji's pout was real now. Ash knew that he had Eiji's full attention.

"I'll tell you what." He leaned in. "Since I'm a nice guy I'll give you incentive this year. If you win I'll do one thing for you. I'll be your bed warming all winter long. I'll tell you all about far-off countries that you've never heard of before." A ghost of a smile appeared on Eiji's lips. Ash pressed on. "Just name it and it'll be done, even if it's" Ash paused and added in a pained voice. "Eating Natto or…. picking a pumpkin." He shuttered at the thought. Now Eiji was smiling for real. All his discomfort from the current situation temporally driven from his mind. Before Ash could savor his victory the Hiereus said,

"Alright turn to face me." Eiji's smile fell in an instance as the man grabbed his face and twisted towards him. Ash growled; his suppressed temper fought against its restraints. The Hiereus opened Eiji's mouth and looked at his teeth. Eiji tried to glance over at Ash again, panic in his eyes.

"I'm still here," Ash said soothingly. "Even if you can't see me right now you can listen to my voice." Eiji relaxed, comforted a little by Ash's calm tone. Finally, the man let go of Eiji and turned to his paper again. Eiji glanced around until he found Ash and held his gaze.

"You were smiling at the wall." The Hiereus said as he looked up from his paper. "That's the first time I've seen someone do that."

"Oh, uh I'm just crazy," Eiji muttered.

"Hmm."

The man scribbled something across the top of his paper. Eiji watched apprehensively before asking.

"Am I done? May I go now?"

"I've heard strange rumors about you from the other men in your village." The Hiereus said ignoring Eiji's question. "They claim that you have Ash's favor." Eiji paled and Ash silently cured them. He would figure out who told the Hiereus that and make sure their wheat never grew again.

"They're probably lying because they rather I be sacrificed instead of them."

"Yet their stories were all the same." The Hiereus pulled out another piece of paper. "According to all of them, your wheat grows the strongest, your meals never burn. and your fire never goes out no matter how little wood you throw in it. They also say that the moon always shines on you." He looked up. "either all the young men in your village were plotted this beforehand or it's true." Eiji scowled at him and glanced down at the desk. His eyes widened with horror.

"What does it mean that I'm 'Acceptable'" he demanded. Ash looked back at the list of Eiji's body parts. There across the top in red ink was the word "Acceptable." Ash's mind spun as he fought back his panic. Eiji was "Acceptable'? Surely they wouldn't choose someone that quickly.

"You can read?" the Hiereus's eyebrows went way up. "Yet you come from a small village where there's only one town scholar. Where did you learn such a skill?"

"The scholar taught me," Eiji muttered realizing his mistake.

"He must have thought you were pretty special if he spent so much time teaching a simple farmer to read." The Hiereus put down his paper. "' Acceptable' means you'll be on the final list. There will be about a hundred young men to pick from. It doesn't automatically mean you're chosen." Eiji gave a small sigh of relief.

"I'm done here. Go back to the courtyard." Eiji quickly obeyed and soon they were back among the waiting men.

"Aer you alright?" Ash asked gently as they sat down.

"I don't know." Eiji trembling. "It was like he didn't even see me."

"That's the place where they examine animals and goods to be sacrificed." Ash wrapped his arms around Eiji. "It's not a place for humans." Eiji whimpered at his words. They sat in silence for a while. Eiji couldn't stop shaking. He hid in Ash's arms, face turned away from the building. Ash knew he was trying to process what happened back there. It was hard to feel like yourself when someone treated you like an object. Ash should know. After a while, Eiji's shivering finally subsided and he was able to pull back.

"Sorry." He muttered embraced.

"Eiji," Ash said, a little sternly. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong."

"I'm overreacting," Eiji said quietly looking down. "He wasn't trying to hurt me or anything. He just was looking me over. When I found you injured at the temple you were far worse off. I have nothing to complain about.

"Overreacting?." Ash asked aghast. "He treated you like an animal! No one should be treated that way! If anything." Ash's voice became sorrowful. "I'm the one who should be sorry."

Now it was Eiji's turn to look surprised "For what?"

"You were right what you said yesterday. If I stopped spoiling you the other wouldn't have noticed that you were blessed. Then maybe you wouldn't be "acceptable" Ash buried his head in Eiji's neck. "It's my fault you're on the final list."

"Hey." Eiji reached out and touched his arm gently. "It's ok. Neither of us knew that this was going to happen." Eiji blushed a little "and I liked it when you spoiled me. It makes me feel special."

"You are special," Ash muttered. "I just hope the Hiereus don't realize that."

"Yeah," Eiji said gloomily. Ash pulled back a little to look him in the eyes.

"At least it's done," Ash said softly "Once someone's name is called you'll be able to go home." Ash cupped his check, Eiji closed his eyes at the contact. "The worst is over. After the sacrifice, I will live permanently in your small-town temple. This country can rot for all I care." Eiji hummed opening his eyes.

"I wish they wouldn't do this."

"It's not unexpected." Ash's voice darkened. "This always happens. Humans can't live peacefully without wanting power. Once they start killing their own they won't stop. They never do." Eiji sighed sadly and relaxed into Ash's arms. He seemed somewhat calmer now that the worst was behind him.

The afternoon wore on. At some point, the exams ended and the Hiereuses gathered to discuss the results. Later some Hiereuses came down to passed out soup for the waiting men. Eiji was feeling much better at this time and drunk the soup hungrily. It wasn't until sunset that the High Hiereus came out to the top of the temple's stairs and looked down over the courtyard. Everyone fell into a tense silence as the horn was blasted for a third time that day. Eiji sat up to get a better view, his hand entwined with Ash's. The High Hiereus held out his arms as if to embraces them.

"My brothers, as the day draws to the end I am happy to announce that we have selected a brave young man." His eyes shimmered with happiness. "This man who is chosen will have the privilege and honor of offering his own body to Ash the Sun God to bring peace to our nation." He smiled down at them as if this was a great treat, not a horrible ordeal. "And so, after much consideration, we have decided that this noble young man will be" Everyone held their breaths. Ash tightened his grip on Eiji.

"Eiji Okumura."

And with that Ash's word shattered.