It took two months before Eiji and Ash were able to go home. There had been a lot to do at the capital. Eiji and Ash had to first set up how the blood sacrifice would work. Then they had to help plan out the construction of the new temple in Eiji's town. After that Ash made double sure that all the Hiereus were going to listen to Eiji without question.
For the most part, it was difficult but satisfying work. They would work all day and then snuggle all night. Eiji was homesick so Ash made sure to comfort him. By the second month, however, it wasn't only Eiji feeling down. The full weight of Ash's actions was coming back to him. Although he didn't regret his actions as it was what save Eiji, he couldn't help feeling horrible. He had gone overboard. Ash had acted like those who he swore to break away from. It made him feel tainted and dirty again; a feeling he hadn't felt since he was under Golzine's thumb.
Eiji of course noticed. When Ash started becoming withdrawn and moody Eiji would hug him to his chest and hold him tight. The sound of Eiji's heartbeat always managed to soothe him. It was impossible to think that only a month ago he was preparing himself to lose that heartbeat forever.
By the end of the second month, Ash had better control over his emotions. Everything was moving smoothly and the Hiereuses knew what to do. With all their work complete they departed for Eiji's small village. They left early in the morning to avoid the Hiereuses or anyone else who might want to delay their travels. As Eiji was quickly learning, no decision he made came without long-drawn-out fanfare.
Eiji and Ash hitched a ride with a farmer who took them in his cart for most of the trip. Once they were close enough, they walked the last couple of miles. The sun was beginning its descent by the time they started seeing familiar landmarks. As they got closer Eiji's spirits rose. He was practically beaming when they entered his hometown. Ash watched Eiji take in the village hungrily. Eiji must have thought he would never see it again.
Ash turned his attention o the town as well. Unlike the other towns and fields they passed, Eiji's hometown showed no signs of damage. Instead, the people were happily going about their business. Ash guessed they heard the news of what happened throughout the country and thought of themselves as special for avoiding his wrath.
It took the town's people a few minutes before they realized who was in their midst. It was the barker's son who noticed first. He ran into the bakery and came out a moment later with his father. At the baker's sudden appearances others turned to see what was going on. Soon all eyes were on Eiji as silence spread across the town center. Eiji stopped hesitantly, eying the crowd.
"High Hiereus Eiji." Yuki, one of the farmers who lived near Eiji, stepped forward. "Your back!" He gave a respect full bow. "It's nice to see you again." The crowd muttered in agreement as they bowed their heads as well. Eiji looked taken aback. Although he was finally used to the Hiereuses groveling, seeing people he grew up with acting the same way was disconcerting.
"You don't need any formalities," Eiji said slightly embarrassed. "Just call me what you usually do."
"Oh." Yuki gasped "of course Hie- I mean Eiji."
"You're spoiling them," Ash said as excited chattered started up among the townspeople. "They're going to think that they're "in your favored" now."
"I rather them think that if it means I can have a sense of normality," Eiji said. "I know things can't go back to the way they were, but I want to be still known as Eiji here." Ash hummed and took Eiji's hand squeezing it.
It took a while to get through the crowd. Everyone wanted to talk to Eiji. The people who sacrificed their blood to save him proudly showed him their scars. Everyone else wanted to apologize and ask for forgiveness. Finally, Eiji promised to talk to them more tomorrow and broke away to go home.
Eiji and Ash walked silently to Eiji's house. Eiji seemed almost in a rush to get home. When his house came into view Eiji stopped walking again and his hand tightening on Ash's.
"I'm home." He said his voice barely over a whisper. "I actually came home." He gave a sniff and whipped his eyes. "I know I was going to but…I'm actually here now." Ash hugged him gently from behind and pressed his mouth against his neck.
"Welcome home Eiji."
Eiji smiled slightly through his tears, enjoying the familiar sights, sounds, and smiles of his home. A chicken clucked nearby and the soft wind blew past them. Ash closed his eyes and took a deep breath in. This was where Eiji belonged. In this peace, it was easy to forget all that had happened.
"EIJI'S BACK! EIJI'S BACK!" a voice broke through the silence startling them back to reality. Ash opened his eyes to see Yumi charging towards them with Sing on her heels. Near the house, two bundles of wheat stood abandoned. Ash guess they were heading to his temple for the daily sacrifice.
"Yumi! Sing!" Eiji held out his arms and Ash stepped back to give them a moment. Yumi hit Eiji first. She collided with him almost knocking him down to the ground.
"You're alive!" she yelled. "I can't believe it!" Sing was next to reach him. He slowed down a little before wrapping his arms around Eiji.
"I'm so glad." He breathed. "I wasn't sure if our blood would be enough to save you." Eiji smiled at the two of them, his eyes teary again, and hugged them back.
Ash stood to the side and watched them, a smile on his face. This was the first time since he left that Eiji looked truly happy.
"Eiji?" Eiji's mother had come bustling over to them.
"Mom." Eiji squirmed loose from the other two and hugged his mom as well. "I'm home." She looked down at him for a second before gathering him in her arms with a sob.
"Ash truly returned you to us." She cried. "When the sky didn't darken we knew you were alive, but I couldn't be sure until I held you in my arms. Oh Eiji, welcome home."
Eiji patted her on the back as she cried all over him. When she finally calmed down she released him. It was quiet for a moment then Eiji said.
"Thanks for everything. Ash told me what you did to save me. If it weren't for you…" He shrugged. "I wouldn't be here."
"It was mostly Sing," Yumi patted Sing's shoulder. "He's the one who came to us."
"Ash explained everything to me." Sing blushed slightly. "He told me that you could see him and that you two were…dating."
"You should have told us Ash was your secret lover." Yumi pouted sulkily. "We wouldn't have told anyone!"
Eiji gasped and shot a betrayed look at Ash. Ash could only shrug helplessly. Eiji sighed and turned back.
"Under the circumstances I understand but I wish I'd been there when he told you." Eiji smiled sheepishly "Sorry, you had to hear it this way."
"You still have explaining to do?" Yumi put her hands on her hips. "How long have you been dating? Who fell in love first? How did you meet each other? Are you going to get married?" she gasped "Am I going to have Ash as a brother-in-law?!" Her eyes grew with excitement. "That would be so cool! We'd never be cold or hungry again! You need to marry him."
"I'm not going to marry Ash just so he can spoil you." Eiji scowled. "He has better things to do."
"Like spoil you instead," Ash said cheekily. Eiji elbowed him.
"Even so, it'll be cool to have a god in the family." Yumi tapped her foot. "And you didn't answer any of my questions."
"I'll answer them later" Eiji groaned. "I just got home!"
"Alright," Yum said her expression softening. "Sorry. I just want to know everything but I'll hold off the questions." An evil smile spread across her face. "For now." Ash chuckled as Eiji shook his head in dismay.
"Good enough I suppose." He turned to his mom. "What-" He cut off noticing the look on her face.
"Mom?"
"You didn't tell me you were dating Ash." She shot Yumi and Sing a disimproving look.
"I wanted Eiji to be here before I told anyone else." Sing looked embarrassed. "But Yumi bullied the information out of me."
"So, it's true?" Eiji's mom turned back to Eiji.
"Yes."
She clapped her hands in front of her mouth eyes watering. "My son is truly blessed. You must bring the sun god to our house someday…I mean if he wants to come of course." She added quickly. "Even if we can't see him he must join us for dinner."
"Mom he's been in the house before," Eiji said rolling his eyes.
"He has?!"
"Well yeah, though mostly my room."
"Oh?" Yumi asked slyly. "So, what does the sun god do in your room prey tell?" Eiji glared at her. Eiji's mother's face went pale.
"A god has been in my house?" she looked back at it. "It's a mess." She looked at Eiji crossly. "And your room is a mess! What kind of person invites a god into their room and doesn't clean?" She closed her eyes. "Ash if you can hear me forgive my son for his transgressions."
"Mom!" Eiji exclaimed as Ash sniggered. "Really he doesn't care!" But Eiji's mom wasn't listening. She already was turning away muttering to herself.
"I'll have it cleaned before dinner. My house will be fit for a god to live in it." With that, she hurried away. Yumi watched her go.
"Mom's gone crazy. I better go after her to make sure she doesn't work herself into a frenzy." With that Yumi followed her.
"My mom is going to become unbearable after this," Eiji grumbled. "She's probably going to build a shrine to you in our kitchen.."
"After she forces you to clean your room that is." Ash chuckled.
"To make it worse she's going to tell everyone that I'm seeing you." Eiji bemoaned. "They'll know before the Hiereuses make it public."
"Good," Ash said seriously. "It'll make it easier to fend off potential suitors."
"What potential suiters?" Eiji asked slightly amused.
"Mai and Hiroki," Ash huffed. "they've been attempting to court you for a while now."
"Really? I didn't notice."
"I'm glad to hear. I was worried I would have to curse them to get them to stop flirting with you." Ash said seriously and Eiji chuckled.
"Hey, Eiji?" Sing cut in. Ash and Eiji looked over at him. Ash had almost forgotten he was there. He was surprised by the serious look on the boy's face.
"Sorry if I'm interrupting but are you talking to Ash right now?" Eiji paused his face heating up.
At the temple, Eiji had gotten used to talking to Ash freely. The Hiereus loved to see them talking. They took it as a sign that Eiji was the true messenger of Ash. Back in his village, the one-sided conversation must look strange.
"Yeah," Eiji muttered. "I am."
"Oh." For some reason, Sing looked slightly frighted by this. Ash couldn't think why. He was very fond of the young man.
"Where is he?"
Eiji pointed to Ash. "He's over here."
Taking a deep breath, Sing took a step forward and turned towards where Eiji was pointing.
"Great and powerful Ash. I'm sorry for acting against you. I was upset but I had no right to do what I did." Sing closed his eyes. "I know you spared me from punishment at the time so I could help save Eiji but now…. all I ask that you spare my family."
"What?" Ash frowned in confusion. When did Sing act against him? It was Sing who had seen him and listened to him when so many other humans had failed. It was Sing who convinced the other villagers to save Eiji. It was Sing who passed out after giving as much blood as he could. Sing should be holding his head up high not bowing it in shame.
"Sing what are you talking about?" Eiji asked concerned.
"Ash didn't tell you?" Sing opened his eyes looking shameful. "I hit him when he first appeared to me as a human."
"Oh, that." Ash had forgotten Sing's fury. If he was being honest Sing had every right to hit him back then. Even though Ash didn't want Eiji to be sacrifice he couldn't stop it.
"He hit you?" Eiji raised an eyebrow, turning to Ash. "Wow, that must be a blow to your ego. All-powerful sun god flees from pumpkins and gets smacked by fourteen-year-old humans." Ash huffed as Eiji grinned cheekily.
"Sorry that I don't have god powers when I'm in human form." He grumbled.
"This isn't funny Eiji." Sing clenched his fist. "Please don't take this lightly. I don't want anyone else to pay for my mistake." Eiji's grin subsided.
"You don't need to be afraid of him. Ash is actually really nice."
"Maybe to you but he's still an all-powerful god. Gods are merciful at most."
"Didn't you meet him through? You know he's not that bad."
"That was different." Sing said quietly. "It was a dire situation. I doubt that's how he acts on normal days."
"On a normal day, he sleeps in and complains like a child when I have to leave in the morning." Eiji rolled his eyes. "He might oversee the sun, but he sure doesn't rise with it. He's also an annoying know-it-all and a picky eater." Eiji crossed his arms. "He doesn't even like Natto!" He exclaimed angrily as if it was a grave sin.
"Hey," Ash said offended. "Don't tell him all of that. You'll ruin my image."
"Then get up early tomorrow." Eiji poked him in the stomach. Ash squirmed. "He's ticklish too." Sing stared at Eiji.
"This is really weird to watch." He finally said. "Are you sure you're talking to Ash the sun god? You know the same god that torched half the country two months ago?"
"Again, you have the wrong opinion of him." Eiji sighed.
"Tell him it's fine," Ash said. "I really don't care. If anything, I'm grateful to him. Tell him his fields will grow abundantly forevermore." Eiji repeated the message.
"Oh." The worry in Sing's face cleared. "Thank you." He bowed his head.
"Sing!" Yumi came stomping out of the house disdainfully. "My mom's gone crazy. Can you come with me to fetch the carpenter? She wants everything in the house to be remodeled."
"Sure." Sign said. "As soon as I bring the wheat for sacrificing."
"I can do that," Eiji said. "We were going to head there next anyways."
"Thanks' Eiji." With that, he and Yumi disappeared around the corner. Eiji picked up the two bundles of wheat and headed down the road. They were silent for most of the journey. Finally, the temple came into view.
"I'm going to miss our small village temple." Eiji sighed. "It's going to have to be built into the main temple."
"If it's really bugging you then we can keep it as it is," Ash said softly.
"No, it's fine," Eiji said as they entered the temple. "I knew when I became High Hiereus some things were going to change. I'm just glad I got to come home.". He dropped the wheat on the altar and set it on fire. Ash sighed as the power entered him.
"You always look so happy when I make a sacrifice but not as happy when other people do it." Eiji threw a pinch of salt in and turned to Ash. "Why's that."
"I love getting a window into your heart. It's like I'm part of you for a second. Your happiness is my happiness; your feelings my feelings, your desires my desires." Eiji blushed and sat down on the temple steps. Ash sat next to him.
"Things are going to change yet so much is the same," Eiji muttered leaning against Ash's arm. Ash hummed in agreement and both watched the sunset, happy and safe at last.