Liebestraum
Chapter 27: Legato (Or, an instruction that a group of notes should be joined up, as opposed to played separately)
"…And that's everything, I think. I still can't believe I survived the destruction of Enma's weapon. It's...really lucky. I'm really lucky to be here," she said softly.
"Fate was kind to us, Asuka."
A vivacious image popped into Asuka's mind of three glowing dragons coming up out of a body of water. They twisted together while they swam in the air and gracefully descended to where she stood on the shore with open arms. They were beautiful and ancient, and their coming was signaled by the sound of a gong. The wind whipped her hair back as it seemed to whisper, Asuka...Asuka...Asuka...
"Asuka?"
She startled.
"Are you alright?"
The image of the three dragons faded, but Asuka couldn't help feeling like she'd met those dragons somewhere before. "You might be right about Fate Kurama," she said in the same quiet tone. "Maybe I was supposed to die, but something...happened. I don't know. It's strange, but I can't shake the feeling."
"If that is the case, and Fate did give you back to me, then I am beyond grateful. I...don't know what I would've done, love."
She nodded and tried to swallow the lump that formed in her throat.
He gently cupped her face with both his hands. "I want you to know that you are so strong Asuka. You're strong because you chose to help billions even though you thought it meant your death. You're strong because you went back to a place you hated and faced your worst fear. You're strong because after all that you've gone through, you aren't bitter. And you did it, Asuka. You changed the future."
His words pierced her soul, and despite herself, tears fell from her eyes. He wiped them with his thumbs. "My only regret is that I couldn't help bear your burdens. I wish you hadn't had to go through all that alone."
"I wish the same for you," she whispered. "I know how miserable you were this past year."
He kissed her. His soft lips brushed against hers until she opened her mouth to him. He leaned over her, and Asuka could feel how he held himself back. How he wanted to press harder, and how he wanted to give her more.
He stopped without complaint to look at her again. "I was. But I meant what I said. I'd go through a worse hell to be with you. I love you."
Asuka lifted her hand and ran her fingers through the smoothness of his hair. "And I love you."
He closed his eyes under her ministrations and sighed.
A moment later he asked, "how are you feeling? Would you like to sleep more?"
"Something to eat sounds nice. I'd like to get up for a bit."
Kurama sat up and adjusted his clothing. Asuka did the same. Between their passionate kissing and night-long cuddling, they both looked rather disheveled. She looked over at him and laughter bubbled up out of her. He smiled and shook his head.
"Ready?" he asked as he stood. He offered her a hand.
"Ready."
When he pulled her upward, Asuka's legs gave way and she collapsed.
"Woah," Kurama said catching her. "Are you alright?"
"Just dizzy. I'll be fine."
Asuka knew Kurama didn't believe her, but she didn't care. She wanted to stretch her legs and she was eager to see Genkai and Yukina.
Doing her best to steady herself, Asuka exited their room and walked slowly down the hall. Kurama kept close to give support. She could just feel his left hand grazing her left hip.
When Asuka entered the main living room, she was shocked to find almost everyone she cared about sitting at the low table eating a late breakfast. There was Kuwabara, Shizuru, Botan, Keiko, Yukina and Genkai. The only two that were missing were Yusuke and Hiei.
"Asuka!" they all exclaimed.
There was a mad storm as her friends leapt from the table to rush her.
"Be gentle," Kurama warned from behind.
There was almost shoving as everyone crowded around, eager to give hugs and tell her how much she was missed and how worried they were.
"You're really okay!" Botan said, crying.
"I was worried about ya," Kuwabara said.
"Me too," said Yukina.
"I missed you Asuka," Keiko said.
Asuka laughed through tears and hugged all her friends at once. She wasn't going to be alone anymore. Her family was back. "I've missed all of you so very much. I'm so sorry for everything."
Yukina shook her head and clasped Asuka's hand. "Please don't apologize. We know what happened. Thank you for saving the Makai, Asuka."
Her friends moved to the side so Asuka could see Genkai. The old woman looked up and gave a half smile. "So, you finally know who you are. Took you long enough."
Asuka ran her hand through her long, unbound hair and laughed. "It did take me long enough. But I did it Genkai. I did everything I set out to do."
"I know you did."
The old woman looked proud, and that made Asuka feel proud too.
"Now both you of you come and sit. Eat."
"We brought coffee, Asuka," Shizuru said.
"You're the best."
Breakfast was filled with happy tales as her friends regaled her with stories of everything she missed from the past year. Asuka watched with glee as Yukina rested her hand on Kuwabara's. It seemed they'd finally figured it out. Keiko noticed as well, and Asuka saw a brief moment of sadness cross her face.
I'm so sorry Yusuke isn't back yet, Keiko.
"So, Asuka, I was thinking that you would come and stay with us," Shizuru said looking at her from across the table. "It'll be safer that way, and you can be back in the city."
"Thank you, Shizuru. I'd really appreciate that. Once I'm back to normal I can go apartment hunting and be back in my own place."
Kurama was quiet next to her.
"No pressure. Whatever is best for you. Feel free to stay with us as long as you like."
Asuka helped herself to another bowl of rice. She was famished, and it felt so good to eat.
"Do you really remember everything?" Kuwabara asked.
"Yeah, everything. If I'm honest, most of my memories aren't happy ones. I think," Asuka hesitated, "I think that's why it took me so long to remember. I said I wanted to know who I was, but deep down, there was a big part of me that didn't, and just wanted a fresh start."
Underneath the table, she felt Kurama's hand settle on her thigh. Asuka closed her eyes.
"But now, I do get a fresh start. It's over. I'm not going back to the Raekai."
"Think Koenma would be okay with that?" Kuwabara asked.
"Definitely," Botan said. "He's not even going to ask for Asuka at Enma's trial. He said her video messages were enough."
Asuka pushed her ki outward to confirm what she suspected. "Besides, my Foresight is gone. Enma really messed up by trying to force my ki to reconvert to seikoki. I have so little power now. If I really push myself, I think I could get Insight to activate. But the power that made me useful to the Raekai is now gone."
Botan gasped. "Asuka, that's horrible! Why would he do such a thing?"
"My Yoski wasn't good enough for him. He wanted me back the way I was with my original power."
"I'm so, so sorry."
Asuka closed her eyes again and shrugged. "It's okay. I'll miss the power I wielded, and I'm sure I'll feel guilty about not being able to help people by seeing the future, but honestly, Foresight has brought me nothing but pain. For the first time in my existence I'm truly free."
She felt Kurama's hand rub her thigh. She looked into his emerald eyes and briefly wished they were alone. She wanted to feel more of his hands on her.
"How does the piano playing fit into everything?" Keiko asked. "If you don't mind me asking?"
Asuka took a long drink of the coffee which sat in front of her.
"I don't mind at all. Actually," she smiled, "its a story that contains a happy memory. In the early 1800s my Foresight showed me some of the first and second World Wars, and Enma sent me to Europe for an extended period on earth to divine everything that would happen. There was a lot to see. It was extremely painful to look at, and there weren't many junctions I could see that would improve the situation. But while I was in Europe working, I met Franz Liszt."
Kurama smiled. "Of course."
Asuka tilted her head as she recalled their first meeting. "He was treated like a Japanese Idol. The women used to throw undergarments at him. Even to this day, no pianist has ever played like him. I was enthralled by his music, and I wanted to learn how to play. He was the one that taught me."
Botan's mouth dropped open.
"You've all seen my holy form, right? Being on Earth was always difficult for me because I had to wear wigs and disguises. But I figured it out. I would spend my days viewing all the horrors of war at Enma's behest, and I'd spend my evenings with Lizst and sometimes Chopin learning to play the piano. At the time, Lizst didn't know why I was so sad, but he said that music was the first comfort for the soul. And he was right."
"At the time?" Botan asked.
Asuka pushed her hair behind her ear, and smiled softly. "Right before I had to leave to go back to the Raekai, Lizst was living at a monastery. I revealed my true self and told him some of what I saw. I broke a dozen Raekai laws by doing that. But Lizst, I don't know, he wasn't as surprised as you'd think. He said he always suspected I was an angel." Asuka laughed. "We were great friends, and we were very sorry our friendship had to end. He composed Consolation number three for me as a goodbye gift. He said if I was song, it was that one."
"He knew you well," Kurama said softly.
"When I got back to the Raekai, I begged Enma on my knees for a piano. I told him it helped me divine the future better which was a lie, but he believed me and acquiesced. And from then on, that's how I staved off loneliness. I'd play, and play and play. And I've been playing piano for over a hundred and fifty years."
Kurama's hand traveled down her thigh and found her hand which sat underneath the table. He threaded his fingers through her's and clasped it.
"You've been through a lot, Asuka," Genkai said.
Asuka nodded. "I have, but I want you all to know how grateful I am. When I crashed into your lives, you welcomed me. You helped me get stronger, and you gave me what I've always longed for—a family."
"We love you, Asuka," Keiko said.
"And I love all of you."
There were smiles around the table. Asuka suddenly felt exhausted.
"Honey you look tired," Botan said. "Maybe you should go rest for a bit? We'll be here when you wake."
"Yeah, I think I should." Asuka stood and felt wobbly. "And I probably can't go back to Tokyo today. Maybe tomorrow?"
"I drove up," Shizuru said, "So you can ride with me and Keiko on the way home. That should make it easier to travel."
"Thank you," Asuka said. "I'll see you all later."
Asuka and Kurama walked back down the hall in silence. She was so tired.
I wonder how long it's going to take me to recover from what Enma did to me.
When they got to the room Asuka turned back to look at Kurama. "You don't need to stay with me. I'll be alright."
Kurama pulled her close. He tipped back her head and gave her a slow and searing kiss. Feeling his mouth was such bliss, and Asuka found herself lost in it.
"But I don't want to leave you, Asuka," he said when they finished. "I'm going to spend as much time as I can with you. The only way I'll leave is if you wish me to."
"Please don't leave me."
He gave her a tender smile and tucked some strands of her hair behind her ear. "Never again, love."
They entered the bedroom again. Kurama laid down first and opened his arms to her. Asuka snuggled in and tucked her nose into Kurama's chest. He wrapped his arms around her and gently rubbed her back.
"If you need to stay here longer to recover, you can," he said softly.
Asuka shook her head and gripped his shirt. "No. I'm loathed to be that many hours away from you. I need you."
He kissed her head. "I feel the same. But your recovery is the most important thing, so please do what you need to."
Asuka laughed dryly. "I can guarantee the best way for me to heal is right here, in your arms."
He threaded his hands through her hair. "I love you."
"I love you, Kurama."
"Sleep," he said gently while flaring his ki.
The feel of his ki and his strong body surrounding her gave her deep peace. She drifted off into a quiet slumber.
Author's Note:
Serious question for all of you.
How would people feel if I added an explicit chapter of Kurama and Asuka being together?
I ask this because originally I wasn't going to. The fic is rated T, after all. As I've edited my rough draft and posted chapters however, the themes surrounding sexuality have definitely become more overt. I began to wonder if not having a chapter dedicated to it would leave the fic incomplete.
I ran it by a fellow fic author and she said to go for it, but I thought I'd ask here before taking the plunge and bumping the fic up to an M rating. The chapter would be pretty explicit. I'm all or nothing.
If you do have thoughts yay or nay, you can feel free to just say "yes" or "no" in a comment. I'll know what you mean, lol.
And if you don't care, hey, that's cool too.
Anyway. Thank you for continuing to read! This has been a long journey and I'm so grateful for all the support. It really does mean a lot.
Rosentic: That is the golden rule! But also, can you imagine if Asuka had ACTUALLY died, before her and Kurama could even be together? OMG. That would be the absolute worst. If I were reading this story and that happened I'd be so pissed. Like what was even the point? lol.