Heh...ok this fanfic was written a long time ago by me(about a year ago). sorry about the format, if some of the sentences are off, it's because i orginally typed this in word pad. it's not finished and i'm sorry for all the lower case words and misspelling. GOMEN! i will finish this some day...but since i am new to fanfiction.net i decided to post something and this is what i had.
*standard disclaimers* i dont own fushigi yuugi or tasuki or chichiri. they are property of Yuu Watase and all the wonderful studios that put the series into production. Arigatou!
note: yes i did get the idea for the name Karasu from the evil guy who tried to kill Kurama in Yu Yu Hakusho.
Enjoy minna! once again i am truly sorry if the format comes out funny...and please review if you can *hopefull look* maybe i'll finish it one day if people really do like it....
It had been years since the departure if Miaka from Ancient China. Years of traveling from city to city for tasuki and chichiri. when joining the suzaku seishi tasuki had always thought of going back to the bandits to lead them afterwards but that had quickly changed after all he went through. it changed him. he was no longer the genrou they knew, he was now tasuki. the only person that could possibly understand him was chichiri, having gone through the same thing. so instead of going back to the mountain, tasuki decided to travel with the monk. after awhile he had wondered if that had been a mistake. traveling could be so boring sometimes! but it also had it's nice points. trying all the bars from around the different villages was nice and he liked chichiri's friendship. the two seishi had bonded throughout the years and both really enjoyed each others presence.
it was early morning traveling to yet another village, and tasuki was walking, his mind deep in thought about his friend. lately, he had been noticing more and more about the blue haired monk. the way he walked, talked and just all the little things he did. he hadn't been able to understand why that was until now. can...can it be that i'm in love with chichiri? but why? i mean yea, he's good looking and is a great person...ahhhh...i'm so confused...i wish i could talk to him about it like i talk to him about almost everything else but what if he'd freak? i wonder if he feels the same way?
Chichiri walked ahead of the ex-bandit, wondering just why tasuki was so quiet this morning. he had progressively become more and more quiet during their trips. i wonder whats bothering him...and why wont he talk about it? what could it possibly be? da! if only he'd just tell me! it's starting to get on my nerves! if he doesn't tell me shortly i'll run out of patience!
the day countinued with tasuki being silent. chichiri tried to start up a converstation but only got one or two word answers from tasuki. finally after all his patience ran out, chichiri stopped walking. tasuki, still deep in thought about his friend, bumped into the idle monk. "IEEEEE. what are you doing chich? why'd you stop so suddenly like that?" tasuki asked as he stood back up.
"you should watch where your walking no da." "well you shouldn't fu#$@ing stop right in front of me!!" tasuki exclaimed rubbing his neck which had whiplashed back when he hit the ground.
"ah, gomen no da. whats wrong tasuki-kun? you've been awfully quiet lately no da. there's got to be something wrong, it's not like you no da" chichiri asked as he turned to see his friends expression.
tasuki looked somewhat surprised and then confused. he lowered his head. "i...i dunno. just been thinking a lot lately i guess. nothing big though. dont worry about it"
"Na no da. something is bothering you no da. please tell me tasuki-kun. it's starting to bother me too, you being that quiet and everything no da. maybe i can help no da."
tasuki sighed, wondering if he really should tell chichiri what exactly he had been thinking about. hn i wonder how'd he react if i told him all the things i want to do to him. tasuki laughed almost bitterly and looked up at his friend. "ah sorry if i've been worryin' ya chich. it's nothing really. dont worry!"
Chichiri sighed, knowing that that wasn't the truth but also knowing that tasuki wasn't going to say anything more. the monk turned around and started walking again, with tasuki following.
the next hours were agonizing for the monk. all the patience he had learned up in taiistkun's place was gone and he was at his end. stopping he wispered a couple words and dissapeared. tasuki, still deep in his thoughts heard a poof and looked up, not finding his friend there. all of a sudden an arm locked around his neck as chichiri appearded behind him. "ok tasuki-kun, your gonna tell me whats wrong right now no da."
"Oi, chichiri, didya really have to do that? you scared the heck out of me!" getting no responce from his friend he knew it was useless. he was gonna hold him, or rather start choking him if he didn't fess up right now. although, he didn't mind the monk holding him that much, he clearly had upset the monk. "ok ok, i'll tell ya, if you really wanna know. i mean i dont knowhow'll you'll take it but you wanted to know. i guess i just wanted to ask you chichiri. i mean, since um kouran, have you loved anyone since?"
chichiri let go of tasuki and took a step back. "why, why do you ask such a question tasuki-kun? i..i love my friends. i never stopped loving my friends, those past and presant."
tasuki sighed, wondering if chichiri was avoiding what he was asking him or really was that naive. "no, no chichiri. not love like the kind for your friends. but the kind you had for kouran. the kinda miaka has for tamahome. nuriko had for hotohori. that kind of love. have you felt that since?" tasuki asked his back still to the monk.
"nani? why.....why tasuki? why do you ask such a question?" chichiri replied, trying to hide his surprise. tasuki could hear some pain in his words, from the rememberance kouran.
"you....you didn't answer the question chichiri....please...no wait forget it...just forget it ok?"
"no...you asked a question so i will answer. no i have not loved like that since i lost kouran. i have loved many in different ways but not the same type of love as i had for her did i share with anyone else. does that answer your question?" chichiri asked, his voice blank from emotions.
tasuki felt like his heart had been shattered. but you knew he wouldn't love you like that. why are you so surprised? cause i thought maybe i had some chance. tasuki just nodded in reply and was about to start walking again when chichiri spoke up.
"now answer me this tasuki-kun. why do you ask such a question. what does this have to do with you being so silent?" tasuki turned to face the monk regretting it right when he did. chichiri still had his mask on so there was no telling how he felt. shit i hate how i can never tell what he's thinking or how he's feeling with that stupid mask on! should...should i just tell him? he wont let up if i make up some lame excuse. i mean what kind of excuse can i make up at a time like this? seeing no other way out(hey he's not as bright as a chiriko!) he confessed...
"be-because chichiri, i haven't felt love until now. i'm in love with someone. and i just wanted to know if they felt the same way" chichiri remained silend as he took in what was just said to him. tasuki kept his head bowed, unable to look at chichiri. the monk turned around and slowly started walking the other way.
"gomen tasuki-kun. if we dont start off now, we'll never make it to the village before dark" tasuki felt his heart shatter for the second time that day. his head still bowed he followed his friend, walking about 10 feet behind him. there was no more conversation between the two the rest of the walk.
"oi, i think we'll stay in this place tonight no da. all the other places look pretty bad no da" chichiri said as he walked into a building. the two travelers checked in and headed towards their respective rooms.
"goodnight tasuki-kun" chichiri said as he started to walk into his room.
"hey aren't you hungry chichiri? you haven't eaten much all day" tasuki asked, his first words since their conversation earlier.
"na no da. i'm fine" and with that he walked into his room. tasuki sighed as he walked downstairs to get some food. gosh i really messed things up. i wonder what he's thinking. shit he could have at least said something! he cant do this! ah, maybe he'll just forget the whole thing, act like it never happened. that probably be the best. i think thats what i'll do. act like nothing ever happened then we can go on being good friends again. i was so stupid for telling him that....sheeshh what a baka i am. with that tasuki sat down to dinner by himself, decided on what he'll do.
Chichiri sat on his bed, his mask off. what was he thinking?? why did tasuki have to say that? why does he have to feel like that? cant we just be friends?? no, i dont believe him. it was probably just a joke. right? his mind wandered to all the times that tasuki had smiled at him, a smile he never used for anyone else. and all the times tasuki had found a way to touch him, like a hand on his shoulder or playfull grabbing his arm. and how he had kept silent all that time. when something had been bothering him. something big. something like this. DAAAA! why does this have to be happening to me? i'm a monk! i'm not into that stuff. oh suzaku why did this have to happen? chichiri spent a long night thinking about the days events and his past. he barely got a wink of sleep but had decided it be better if he just ignored tasuki all together. that will help him get over his *ack* feelings for me. this way maybe we can be friends later on or maybe it just be best if we're never friends again. it's not so hard traveling alone, i did that for three years in a row...i can do it again. and then tasuki can go back to his bandits and forget all about me. yes, thats what i'll do. ignore tasuki.
the sunlight coming through his window woke tasuki. he streched his arms and legs and stood up, shivering when his bare feet touched the cold floor. tasuki dressed quickly and left his room to go find the monk. he knocked at chichiri's door a couple times but then decided that he must already be downstairs since no one answered. tasuki grumbled wondering why chichiri didn't wake him before going down to breakfast. he lumbered down the stairs to the eating hall. sure enough, the blue haired monk was sitting down to a nice little breakfast. tasuki took a seat at the table and picked up a menu.
"che thanks for waking me up before you came down here chich. hmmm....lets see...whatcha having for breakfast?" after hearing no answer tasuki peared over his menu to his friend. chichiri didn't even look up but instead was pretending to study the menu.
"hey man....whats going on? chichiri?? helllloooo....earth to chichiri? dammit why wont you talk to me??? is it because of yesterday? thats it huh??" chichiri slowly looked up at tasuki who had stood and was practically yelling at him, making a scene. all eyes were on the two and chichiri shrank deeper into his chair.
"tasuki....everyone is starring no da. i think you should just calm down, we can talk later no da" tasuki grudingly sat down and went back to ordering his food. unbeknowest to tasuki, that was the longest sentence chichiri would say to him in the next 16 weeks.
Tasuki shivered as the wind picked up and blew snow all around him. his whole body felt like it was turning into an icecicle. he looked up ahead to his traveling partner, only seeing his outline through the thick snowfall. it had been weeks and months since he had told chichiri he loved him. since then chichiri had done everything he could to ignore the ex-bandit. he meditated whenever he had a chance and always walked ahead, never replying to tasuki's attempt at conversation. tasuki's heart was slowly being shattered into tiny pieces. but more than anything, he blammed himself for it. if only i hadnt told him how i felt, then things would be like they used to. we'd talk about everything, laugh, have fun together. but now....now we dont even talk! he shivered again and wrapped his arms tighter around himself. sheeshh if we dont find shelter soon, we're gonna freeze. i wonder how chichiri is holding up. i mean i have a big jacket and i'm freezing...he only has a shirt and his kasa around him. he must be cold...
"hey chichiri! how ya holding up? do you see any place we could stop?" tasuki called out, half believeing the monk would respond. he didn't. tasuki ran to catch up with chichiri, which was harder than he thought it be. the snow was gettting higher and higher, almost at 2 feet. he turned to look at his friend when he had finally caught up. chichiri didn't acknowledge tasuki's presance and instead just kept on walking, starring straight ahead. tasuki sighed and serveyd what was ahead. snow....lots of snow and some trees. he sighed and continued to walk beside the silent monk.
a couple hours later they came upon a house. tasuki smiled and practically knocked the door down trying to get inside. it was a nice cozy house which had obiviously been abandoned not too long ago. there was little furnishing but it was definitly a little warmer than it was outside. tasuki went over to the fire place which conveintly had some logs left in it. he started a nice little fire with his fan and then continued to search the house. chichiri wandered through the house, looking for nothing in particular. after making sure that it wasn't inhabitated he settled down by the fire. ahhh it's nice to finally be out of that snow. i was sooo cold. this kasa is warm but not when it's that cold! chichiri sighed, enjoying the warmth of the fire. he took off his kasa which was wet because of the snow. he hung it by the fireplace and went back to sitting by the fire. tasuki meanwhile had come back from wandering around, finding nothing of interest and settled across from chichiri. he starred at the monk for a long time before chichiri got annoyed and looked up. hmm. now's my chance...now i can finally talk to him face to face. i can finally apoligize for everything. then maybe we can be friends again. tasuki cleared his throat before he spoke.
"hey chichiri....i've...i've been meaning to say this for awhile. i mean ever since that day, we haven't really talked or anything. and well i missed yer friendship. i guess i'm sorry. i didn't mean to freak you out or anything. i dont know what i was thinking..." chichiri cut him off before he could finish.
"so why'd you say it no da?"
"i uhhh...well cause you wanted to know what i was thinking"
"so you knew what you were doing then no da? it was the truth na no da?
"well yea but i didn't think you'd freak out or somethin' like you did. why have you been ignoring me chich? it hurts you know. i thought we were friends. friends dont ignore each other like that." tasuki said sternly, his temper rising.
"but friends dont feel that way for each other no da." tasuki stood up quickly and glared at the monk.
"well sorry if i cared about you chichiri!! i wont ever stop careing and yes i really do love you. but i cant believe you stopped our friendship because of that! please chichiri...can we at least be friends again? i hate not being able to talk like we used to. lets just forget about this whole thing. i dont want to lose you as a friend." tasuki said as he calmed down a bit. he starred at the monk, unable to read his friends emotions because of the mask.
chichiri laughed bitterly. "i dont know tasuki. things just seemed to have changed no da" tasuki became angered once again. why is he laughing? i dont find this funny at all. does he not care about me at all? maybe...what if he doesn't even want to be friends again? that thought shocked tasuki as he took a step back.
"so..so you dont wanna even be friends?" chichiri, starring down at his hands took his time responding.
"i dont know if you can handle just being friends no da. can you?" chichiri finally said, almost teasingly. tasuki glared at him wide eyed. he finally snapped and started yelling at the monk.
"goshdammit chichiri. your so fucking stubborn sometimes. and you tell ME to grow up. it's about time for you to! i just want to be friends again. is that too much to ask of you???" chichiri just stared at his hands. he sighed deeply before responding calmly.
"tasuki. the truth is i dont know what to think of everything. people always say i am wise and come to me for advise. but i never have any for myself. i hold things inside. and when you told me that you loved me, well i didn't know what to think of it. i held my own feelings inside.. i was scared and thought maybe you were lying. i thought maybe it was a joke and gave you time to get over it and me. then i thought i wouldn't have to deal with it anymore. but i guess you were serious. gomen tasuki."
"so....so this whole time you just wanted me to get over you huh? is that it? by not talking to me for three fucking months you thought i'd forget. well sorry chichiri but i didn't" chichiri sighed and continued to look down at his fingers. his silence made tasuki even more angery. without thinking tasuki lept at chichiri, pinning him down while he was on top. tasuki ripped off chichiri's mask and looked down at the monk. an eye looked back up at him, scared.
"tasuki! get off of me!!!" the monk cried. instead of letting him go tasuki held him down with more force and leaned down. he kissed the monk. it wasn't a nice pleasant kiss. it was meant to hurt. chichiri tried desperately to get away but tasuki was too strong. tasuki deepened the kiss, softening a bit. finally he let go of the monk and stood up. chichiri scrambled to the other side of the house. he looked at tasuki, wild eyed and hissed. tasuki starred back, finally realizing just what he had done. BAKA! what the hell have i just done???
"chichiri....i'm...gomen chichiri...i dont know why i did that. oh gosh i'm really really sorry." chichiri, confused with everything, grabbed his dried kasa and ran out the door before tasuki could say anymore. after he recovered from his shock tasuki ran out the door. he stopped and looked around. the was no sign of chichiri anywhere. the snow was falling heavier than before and had already covered his footprints. tasuki yelled out the monk's name over and over again hoping he'd come back. he finally gave up after 10 minutes and walked back in the house. he shut the door and walked over to the fire to warm up again. oh suzaku what have i done? now he probably will never talk to me again! he's out there all alone in the freezing cold. i hope he's alright. maybe he'll come back later. i hope so. then i'll apoligize for everything. tasuki sighed as he sat down. he removed his jacket and layed down next to the fire. worn down from that days events he quickly fell asleep.
Chichiri wandered through the snow, rubbing his arms trying to get the feeling back into them. where am i going? as far away from tasuki as i can i guess....oh suzaku why did he have to do that? i was just begining to think that maybe he had gotten over me. and then he had to go and kiss me. thats just not right. chichiri involentairly shivered briefly thinking he should have stayed in the cabin with tasuki. no! you dont know what he would have done! daaa but it was warm there. it's so cold out here. i have to find somewhere to stay soon before i freeze to death. he pressed on, trying to see through the cloud of white.
tasuki cracked an eye open momentarily fogetting where he was. ahhh yea i'm in the cabin. me and chich took shealter in here from the storm....chichiri! tasuki stook up suddenly looking around, expecting to see the monk sleeping somewhere in the room. there was no one else in the room. tasuki sighed. i actually thought he might come back...hn i wonder if he's ok. i hope he found somewhere to stay. oh gosh chichiri! what if he's out there freezing?? tasuki grabbed his coat which was on the floor and dashed out the door to look for chichiri. the snow had stopped falling but the temperature hadn't. it was even colder out than before. tasuki tugged his coat tighter and started walking in the direction he thought chichiri went last night. the snow was deep causing tasuki trouble as he tried to walk. some snow drifts went almost up to his waist causing him to grow impatient and use his tessen to melt the annoying snow. all he could think about now was a freezing chichiri huddled by a tree. oh suzaku, keep chichiri safe. let him be all right.
Tasuki wandered amilessly for hours upon hours, calling out the monk's name every once in awhile. che you really think he'd answer you after what you did to him a voice in his head spoke. tasuki quickly shook his head, sending snow that had gathered there all around him. He found himself standing on a snow covered hill facing a small village. few people mingled through the streets while most stayed inside due to the weather. tasuki wondered if the monk could be somewhere in that village. hn no better way to find out than to search. the ex-bandit made his way through the snow and into the village. there were two lodges here as he soon found out from a storekeeper. he went to the first one, hopes high. as he walked in he quickly banished the idea of the monk being in this lodge. many roudy guys sat around drinking and arm wrestling. the waitresses were barely clothed and the air smelled of smoke and hard liquor. hn i'd be surprised if chichiri would even set foot inside a place like this. tasuki turned to leave but was stopped in his tracks by a huge man. his black eyes glared at the red head and his breathe smelled of beer. the ugly man leaned in close, his unshaven face scraping alongside tasuki's smooth cheek.
"leaving so soon? but why?" the man rasped, "we like it when young ones like you come in. their always so fun to oh shall we say, break in?" laughter arose from the circle of men that had gathered around. tasuki sighed. he didn't want to hurt these men, they didn't do anything to him but once they tried he'd retailate at once. i dont have time for this, i'm supposed to be looking for chichiri.
"hey look, i'd love to stay and join yer little party an' all but i have ta go. so ja ne!" tasuki said as he tried to leave once again. a strong hand stopped him from moving and spun him around.
"yer not going anywhere kid. your mistake for comin in here" another man said as the group advanced towards tasuki. a couple had pulled out kniefs while others just had their arms extended ready to catch the ex-bandit. before anyone could touch him though, tasuki decided he'd had enough.
"naw, it's yer fault for picking on me." he said as he whipped out his tessen. "rekka shinen!" the tavern/lodge filled with fire for a moment before it quickly faded. a smiling tasuki walked through the snow once more, leaving behind some very charred men and tavern. he quickly came upon the only other tavern in the village. as he stepped inside he noted that it seemed much more cleaner and respectable. hm i wonder in chichiri is here. looks like the kind of place he'd stay at tasuki thought as he admired the place. it was made out of wood which gave the place a nice pine-type smell. tables were neatly arranged in the dining area as were in the bar area. there was a large group of men, probably a couple years older than me tasuki noted, sitting at the bar, drinking away. they didn't seem to be a roudy as the men in the last lodge and that set tasuki at ease. well hell, if chich ain't here i'm sure as hell not gonna search for him anymore today. it's almost getting dark and this place is nice. if he's not here well, i'll start out again tomorrow. tasuki was about to ask the man at the desk if he'd seen a blue haired monk go by here but was stopped by a green haired man. tasuki turned to face the person who had stopped, ready to pull out his tessen and rekka shinen some more people but was instead greeted with a smile.
"hey. i noticed ya came in here alone. me and my buddies were about to have some drinks. care to join us?" he asked in a very pleasant, deep voice. he gestured over to the group of men by the bar while some waved and smiled at tasuki. they sure seem like nice people. ah what the heck why not. i haven't had sake in awhile anyways.
"sure. why not. oh and my names tasuki. never did catch yours" he replied casually.
"oh gomen. i'm kasaru. and my buddies over here" he said pointing to the group, "were all part of the togoro gang."
"gang? what type of gang" tasuki questioned, clearly a little nervous.
Kasaru took notice of his nervousness and laughed. "ah you dont have to worry. were not violent or anything. we just hang out all the time and people just started calling us a gang and everything. it's alright" Tasuki loosened up a little but still decided to be on guard. he walked over to the others and sat down.
"well what are we waitin' fer? lets drink!" a couple of the men cheered to tasuki's suggestion as the sake was poured.
a couple hours later and many bottles of sake, a very intoxicated tasuki sat at the table, still surrounded by the gang. the ex-bandit felt totally at ease as he told stories of his bandit days and even the story of what happened earlier at the other lodge. the guys had laughed when he told that story but he was too drunk already to wonder why. he was also too drunk to notice when a tall, blue haired monk had walked quickly by and up to the rooms.
chichiri couldn't believe his eyes when he walked back into the lodge. tasuki was there! his first reaction was relief and happiness that his friend was there. but then he remembered back to what happened and couldn't believe the ex-bandit had found out where he was. but upon futher inspection it looked as if tasuki didn't know that he was there at all. he sighed and had quickly gone up to his room hoping he wouldn't be noticed. as he sat on his bed, trying to meditate, his thoughts kept floating back to tasuki. why was he there? had he gone looking for him? or was he just on his way back to kouji and the others since he had run out of him like that. and who were those people he was drinking with? they made chichiri feel very uneasy. they just seemed to be putting on an act, a mask almost, kinda like himself. finally chichiri gave up his meditation as he got no where while all these thoughts floated in his head. he decided to go downstairs and get a bite to eat. it had been awhile, tasuki was probably up in his room already. that or passed out on the tavern floor. the thought of his friend passed out, snoring as his fangs poked out brought a smile to the monk's face. what?? what am i thinking? i have to stop that. i cant think about tasuki that way. but the more he tried to convince himself the more he felt his love for tasuki. true, he knew he was hurting tasuki and that in turn was hurting him but everytime he wanted to tell tasuki how he felt or return tasuki's feelings, he just couldn't do it. he didn't know how. so instead he ignored tasuki hoping the feelings would go away but they did not. he sighed as he stood up and walked out of the room. he had started to go down the stairs when he noticed that the men and tasuki were still at the table. but something was happening. chichiri watched silently as some men started to get up and circle the seishi, hiding their kniefs behind their backs. tasuki still sitting, grinned at the men.
"wazz ya doin?" he slurred noticing the circle formed around him. even though he was drunk he had enough sense to know that something was about to happen. a couple men snickered as they drew in closer to tasuki.
"we just wanna play. thats all." kasaru said, and evil grin playing across his face.
"whaa?" tasuki asked intellegently. "hey....yer jus' as bad as those other guys huh?"
"no tasuki.....actually were worse you see. we drove them outta this tavern into that slum across the village. we run this place now. hell we run the whole damn village!" kasaru said laughing. a flash of fear passed through tasuki as he realized their intentions. ah hell, i gotta fry these guys too, he thought. but in his drunken state he never saw the guy at his side attack. before he felt the knief hit, someone had lifted tasuki into their arms and across the room. confused he looked up to see just who's arms he was in. his amber eyes were met by the ever so famaliar smiling mask.
"Chichiri! your alive!" tasuki said joyfully. he was about to say more when he heard the gang approach. lifting his head towards them he saw a quite amusing site. the man who had tried to attack him was now starring totally confused at the blue haired man who held the target in his arms. but the confusion quickly wore off and only angered the gang. they dashed towards chichiri in tasuki, kniefs high in the air, ready to send a blow to the victims. chichiri whispered a couple of words and before tasuki knew it they were outside. the moon shone brightly in the sky, the crisp cold air chilling them to the bones. a strong wind had picked up, blowing snow everywhere. tasuki shivered and leaned in a little closer to the monk before being dropped into a pile on snow.
"iiiiieee! thats cold! what the hell didja do that before" a now sober tasuki shrieked as he stood up, shaking the snow out of his clothes. he turned to the monk who had stayed silent, demanding an answer.
"because you can walk now no da. plus we got to get out of here before those men find us no da" chichiri said as he starred at the ground avoiding the glare that tasuki threw his way.
"alright alright. lets go. we gotta find somewhere to stay. it's fucking cold out here" tasuki said as he started walking down the street. he had only walked a couple feet when he noticed the monk lagging behind. he turned around and walked backwards, facing chichiri.
"hey chichiri! why so slow? common you can walk a little faster i know you can!" tasuki said, trying to brighten up the monk. thats when he noticed chichiri was limping. every step he took seemed like it took more effort that should be.
"hey chichiri. whats the matter?" tasuki asked a little worried. he walked towards the mage who quickly shooed him away.
"nothing no da. i'm fine no da. really." he said in his perky voice. a little too perky. tasuki didn't believe him for one second.
"didja sprain an ankle or somethin'? here, lean on me. we'll go a lot faster you know" tasuki said as he stood beside the monk who obiviously didn't want the help but knew if they wanted to get away in time, he'd have to take the offer.
"hai, i guess no da. but lets hurry no da" he said as he drapped an arm around tasuki's shoulders and leaned against him. as they made their way through most of the village tasuki took note of how his friend seemed to stumble more as they went. he shifted his arm around the monk to support him better. as he did so he felt a sticky substance on his fingers and chichiri groaned in pain.
"iiieee chichiri! what the hell?" tasuki asked, alarmed.
"it's nothing no da" chichiri said trying to keep the pain out of his voice. it didn't work though and tasuki brought his other arm around the mage and set him down slowly in the snow. his eyes quickly came upon the injury. a gash in chichiri's side. blood had soaked through his clothes and thats when tasuki first noticed the drops of blood in the snow that chichiri left as he had continued through the village.
"shit chichiri. why the hell didn't you say somethin'?" tasuki said angerly as he undid the monk's kesa and shirt to see how bad the wound was. chichiri shivered and tried to pull away from tasuki. the ex-bandit was going to have none of this.
"you gotta let me try and treat yer wound chich. dont worry -k-? i'll be gentle." he slowly stripped the shirt that stuck to his skin from the blood. the gash wasn't horrible but still needed the attention of a real doctor. the blood still oozed from it as tasuki ripped the monks shirt and bandaged his side with it. shit if only mits were here, then he could heal it up right away and everything would be great. i wonder if this village has a doctor. looking down at the wound, he noticed the blood had already started to soak through the "bandages". shit, whoever got him, got him good. a sudden rememberance shocked tasuki. he, he got this when he saved me! they were going to stab me but instead stabbed him! why, why'd he do that? shit why'd he do that to himself. chichiri's soft voice brought him back.
"ne tasuki-kun. we got to go now no da! the men are right around that corner no da!" he whispered, fear evident in his voice. "lets go. i can stand no da." chichiri started to slowly get up only to be pulled to his feet by tasuki.
"never hurts to have help ne? now lets get the hell outta here!" the two friends started once again down the street and had only gone a little ways when they heard shouting.
"there! there they are! get them! and hurry!" grunts of understanding were heard as the gang started running towards the seishi. tasuki turned around alarmed and noticed that they were quickly gaining and had arrows pointed towards them.
"shit chichiri! we gotta run or somethin'!" tasuki shouted pulling his friends arm before remembering his injury. "fuck. whatta we gonna do now?"
"run. i'm too weak to use my powers right now no da but i think i can run no da." the monk answered. tasuki grabbed onto his arm and started sprinting down the street. the men weren't far behind and the two seishi soon reached the edge of the village.
"yes, now we can hide in the forest. common chich, just a little more" tasuki said excitedly.
"hai......no..da" the monk answered, wheezing as he did. the running had taken a lot out of the already drained mage and his wound bled even more. it was getting harder to breathe. arrows suddenly flew all around them as the men continued to follow. one arrow went flying and hit tasuki right in his left shoulder blade.
"iiiieeee! fuck fuck fuck" the ex-bandit screamed but still ran forward. he ran for his life, for chichiri's life not knowing exactly where they were headed but just wanted to get away, to go somewhere safe. he knew they had better find that safe place soon. chichiri's wheezing was getting worse and he had started to slow down considerably. he heard more arrows being shot and then to his horror, felt chichiri fall. "dammit. chichiri you ok?" he squatted down looking at the monk. Chichiri's face was pale and sweaty, his whole body was shaking. blood still flowed from his earlier wound and his breathing was very unsteady. "hn, guess i'll have to carry ya now." tasuki said picking up the monk. thats when he felt the two arrows that were stuck in the monk's back. "oh shit! Chichiri!" he cried. he set chichiri down on his stomach and quickly pulled the arrows out in case they were poisioned. blood flowed from the two new wounds on the mage's back. shit if we dont get him to a doctor soon he's gonna bleed to death. once again picking up the monk and ignoring his own pain in his shoulder he ran. after what seemed like forever, tasuki stopped running as he could no longer hear the shouts of the gang. shit....hopefully we got away. he walked for awhile before finding a small ledge on the edge of the mountains. he set chichiri down, who had passed out awhile ago and sat down next to him. sighing heavily he streched out. his body hurt from all the running and carrying the monk. his lungs were tired as was the rest of him. yawning tasuki layed down next to chichiri and quickly fell asleep.
it had started snowing not too long after tasuki had fallen asleep but as tired as he was, he didn't notice the change. instead he awoke some time later only to find an unconsious, shivering monk beside him. shit...when did it start to snow? chichiri must be freezing! i used his shirt for bandages so all he has is he kesa and that was soaked in blood. stretching a little tasuki stood up, shivering from the cold. the moon was still high in the darkened sky barely visiable above the clouds. the wind whistled through the trees, scattering snow everywhere. damn, it's fucking cold. we gotta find a place to stay before we freeze. tasuki bent down and slowly took the monk in his arms, trying his best not to jostle him too much. he noticed that his kesa was damp from the snow but mostly from blood. there was a puddle of blood where the monk once lay. shit. he's already lost so much blood. common chich, hold on just a lil' bit longer please. i'll find you a doctor.....just hold on. tasuki started off, trudging through the snow, ignoring his own pain, content on finding a place to stay and a doctor to help his unconsious friend.
*standard disclaimers* i dont own fushigi yuugi or tasuki or chichiri. they are property of Yuu Watase and all the wonderful studios that put the series into production. Arigatou!
note: yes i did get the idea for the name Karasu from the evil guy who tried to kill Kurama in Yu Yu Hakusho.
Enjoy minna! once again i am truly sorry if the format comes out funny...and please review if you can *hopefull look* maybe i'll finish it one day if people really do like it....
It had been years since the departure if Miaka from Ancient China. Years of traveling from city to city for tasuki and chichiri. when joining the suzaku seishi tasuki had always thought of going back to the bandits to lead them afterwards but that had quickly changed after all he went through. it changed him. he was no longer the genrou they knew, he was now tasuki. the only person that could possibly understand him was chichiri, having gone through the same thing. so instead of going back to the mountain, tasuki decided to travel with the monk. after awhile he had wondered if that had been a mistake. traveling could be so boring sometimes! but it also had it's nice points. trying all the bars from around the different villages was nice and he liked chichiri's friendship. the two seishi had bonded throughout the years and both really enjoyed each others presence.
it was early morning traveling to yet another village, and tasuki was walking, his mind deep in thought about his friend. lately, he had been noticing more and more about the blue haired monk. the way he walked, talked and just all the little things he did. he hadn't been able to understand why that was until now. can...can it be that i'm in love with chichiri? but why? i mean yea, he's good looking and is a great person...ahhhh...i'm so confused...i wish i could talk to him about it like i talk to him about almost everything else but what if he'd freak? i wonder if he feels the same way?
Chichiri walked ahead of the ex-bandit, wondering just why tasuki was so quiet this morning. he had progressively become more and more quiet during their trips. i wonder whats bothering him...and why wont he talk about it? what could it possibly be? da! if only he'd just tell me! it's starting to get on my nerves! if he doesn't tell me shortly i'll run out of patience!
the day countinued with tasuki being silent. chichiri tried to start up a converstation but only got one or two word answers from tasuki. finally after all his patience ran out, chichiri stopped walking. tasuki, still deep in thought about his friend, bumped into the idle monk. "IEEEEE. what are you doing chich? why'd you stop so suddenly like that?" tasuki asked as he stood back up.
"you should watch where your walking no da." "well you shouldn't fu#$@ing stop right in front of me!!" tasuki exclaimed rubbing his neck which had whiplashed back when he hit the ground.
"ah, gomen no da. whats wrong tasuki-kun? you've been awfully quiet lately no da. there's got to be something wrong, it's not like you no da" chichiri asked as he turned to see his friends expression.
tasuki looked somewhat surprised and then confused. he lowered his head. "i...i dunno. just been thinking a lot lately i guess. nothing big though. dont worry about it"
"Na no da. something is bothering you no da. please tell me tasuki-kun. it's starting to bother me too, you being that quiet and everything no da. maybe i can help no da."
tasuki sighed, wondering if he really should tell chichiri what exactly he had been thinking about. hn i wonder how'd he react if i told him all the things i want to do to him. tasuki laughed almost bitterly and looked up at his friend. "ah sorry if i've been worryin' ya chich. it's nothing really. dont worry!"
Chichiri sighed, knowing that that wasn't the truth but also knowing that tasuki wasn't going to say anything more. the monk turned around and started walking again, with tasuki following.
the next hours were agonizing for the monk. all the patience he had learned up in taiistkun's place was gone and he was at his end. stopping he wispered a couple words and dissapeared. tasuki, still deep in his thoughts heard a poof and looked up, not finding his friend there. all of a sudden an arm locked around his neck as chichiri appearded behind him. "ok tasuki-kun, your gonna tell me whats wrong right now no da."
"Oi, chichiri, didya really have to do that? you scared the heck out of me!" getting no responce from his friend he knew it was useless. he was gonna hold him, or rather start choking him if he didn't fess up right now. although, he didn't mind the monk holding him that much, he clearly had upset the monk. "ok ok, i'll tell ya, if you really wanna know. i mean i dont knowhow'll you'll take it but you wanted to know. i guess i just wanted to ask you chichiri. i mean, since um kouran, have you loved anyone since?"
chichiri let go of tasuki and took a step back. "why, why do you ask such a question tasuki-kun? i..i love my friends. i never stopped loving my friends, those past and presant."
tasuki sighed, wondering if chichiri was avoiding what he was asking him or really was that naive. "no, no chichiri. not love like the kind for your friends. but the kind you had for kouran. the kinda miaka has for tamahome. nuriko had for hotohori. that kind of love. have you felt that since?" tasuki asked his back still to the monk.
"nani? why.....why tasuki? why do you ask such a question?" chichiri replied, trying to hide his surprise. tasuki could hear some pain in his words, from the rememberance kouran.
"you....you didn't answer the question chichiri....please...no wait forget it...just forget it ok?"
"no...you asked a question so i will answer. no i have not loved like that since i lost kouran. i have loved many in different ways but not the same type of love as i had for her did i share with anyone else. does that answer your question?" chichiri asked, his voice blank from emotions.
tasuki felt like his heart had been shattered. but you knew he wouldn't love you like that. why are you so surprised? cause i thought maybe i had some chance. tasuki just nodded in reply and was about to start walking again when chichiri spoke up.
"now answer me this tasuki-kun. why do you ask such a question. what does this have to do with you being so silent?" tasuki turned to face the monk regretting it right when he did. chichiri still had his mask on so there was no telling how he felt. shit i hate how i can never tell what he's thinking or how he's feeling with that stupid mask on! should...should i just tell him? he wont let up if i make up some lame excuse. i mean what kind of excuse can i make up at a time like this? seeing no other way out(hey he's not as bright as a chiriko!) he confessed...
"be-because chichiri, i haven't felt love until now. i'm in love with someone. and i just wanted to know if they felt the same way" chichiri remained silend as he took in what was just said to him. tasuki kept his head bowed, unable to look at chichiri. the monk turned around and slowly started walking the other way.
"gomen tasuki-kun. if we dont start off now, we'll never make it to the village before dark" tasuki felt his heart shatter for the second time that day. his head still bowed he followed his friend, walking about 10 feet behind him. there was no more conversation between the two the rest of the walk.
"oi, i think we'll stay in this place tonight no da. all the other places look pretty bad no da" chichiri said as he walked into a building. the two travelers checked in and headed towards their respective rooms.
"goodnight tasuki-kun" chichiri said as he started to walk into his room.
"hey aren't you hungry chichiri? you haven't eaten much all day" tasuki asked, his first words since their conversation earlier.
"na no da. i'm fine" and with that he walked into his room. tasuki sighed as he walked downstairs to get some food. gosh i really messed things up. i wonder what he's thinking. shit he could have at least said something! he cant do this! ah, maybe he'll just forget the whole thing, act like it never happened. that probably be the best. i think thats what i'll do. act like nothing ever happened then we can go on being good friends again. i was so stupid for telling him that....sheeshh what a baka i am. with that tasuki sat down to dinner by himself, decided on what he'll do.
Chichiri sat on his bed, his mask off. what was he thinking?? why did tasuki have to say that? why does he have to feel like that? cant we just be friends?? no, i dont believe him. it was probably just a joke. right? his mind wandered to all the times that tasuki had smiled at him, a smile he never used for anyone else. and all the times tasuki had found a way to touch him, like a hand on his shoulder or playfull grabbing his arm. and how he had kept silent all that time. when something had been bothering him. something big. something like this. DAAAA! why does this have to be happening to me? i'm a monk! i'm not into that stuff. oh suzaku why did this have to happen? chichiri spent a long night thinking about the days events and his past. he barely got a wink of sleep but had decided it be better if he just ignored tasuki all together. that will help him get over his *ack* feelings for me. this way maybe we can be friends later on or maybe it just be best if we're never friends again. it's not so hard traveling alone, i did that for three years in a row...i can do it again. and then tasuki can go back to his bandits and forget all about me. yes, thats what i'll do. ignore tasuki.
the sunlight coming through his window woke tasuki. he streched his arms and legs and stood up, shivering when his bare feet touched the cold floor. tasuki dressed quickly and left his room to go find the monk. he knocked at chichiri's door a couple times but then decided that he must already be downstairs since no one answered. tasuki grumbled wondering why chichiri didn't wake him before going down to breakfast. he lumbered down the stairs to the eating hall. sure enough, the blue haired monk was sitting down to a nice little breakfast. tasuki took a seat at the table and picked up a menu.
"che thanks for waking me up before you came down here chich. hmmm....lets see...whatcha having for breakfast?" after hearing no answer tasuki peared over his menu to his friend. chichiri didn't even look up but instead was pretending to study the menu.
"hey man....whats going on? chichiri?? helllloooo....earth to chichiri? dammit why wont you talk to me??? is it because of yesterday? thats it huh??" chichiri slowly looked up at tasuki who had stood and was practically yelling at him, making a scene. all eyes were on the two and chichiri shrank deeper into his chair.
"tasuki....everyone is starring no da. i think you should just calm down, we can talk later no da" tasuki grudingly sat down and went back to ordering his food. unbeknowest to tasuki, that was the longest sentence chichiri would say to him in the next 16 weeks.
Tasuki shivered as the wind picked up and blew snow all around him. his whole body felt like it was turning into an icecicle. he looked up ahead to his traveling partner, only seeing his outline through the thick snowfall. it had been weeks and months since he had told chichiri he loved him. since then chichiri had done everything he could to ignore the ex-bandit. he meditated whenever he had a chance and always walked ahead, never replying to tasuki's attempt at conversation. tasuki's heart was slowly being shattered into tiny pieces. but more than anything, he blammed himself for it. if only i hadnt told him how i felt, then things would be like they used to. we'd talk about everything, laugh, have fun together. but now....now we dont even talk! he shivered again and wrapped his arms tighter around himself. sheeshh if we dont find shelter soon, we're gonna freeze. i wonder how chichiri is holding up. i mean i have a big jacket and i'm freezing...he only has a shirt and his kasa around him. he must be cold...
"hey chichiri! how ya holding up? do you see any place we could stop?" tasuki called out, half believeing the monk would respond. he didn't. tasuki ran to catch up with chichiri, which was harder than he thought it be. the snow was gettting higher and higher, almost at 2 feet. he turned to look at his friend when he had finally caught up. chichiri didn't acknowledge tasuki's presance and instead just kept on walking, starring straight ahead. tasuki sighed and serveyd what was ahead. snow....lots of snow and some trees. he sighed and continued to walk beside the silent monk.
a couple hours later they came upon a house. tasuki smiled and practically knocked the door down trying to get inside. it was a nice cozy house which had obiviously been abandoned not too long ago. there was little furnishing but it was definitly a little warmer than it was outside. tasuki went over to the fire place which conveintly had some logs left in it. he started a nice little fire with his fan and then continued to search the house. chichiri wandered through the house, looking for nothing in particular. after making sure that it wasn't inhabitated he settled down by the fire. ahhh it's nice to finally be out of that snow. i was sooo cold. this kasa is warm but not when it's that cold! chichiri sighed, enjoying the warmth of the fire. he took off his kasa which was wet because of the snow. he hung it by the fireplace and went back to sitting by the fire. tasuki meanwhile had come back from wandering around, finding nothing of interest and settled across from chichiri. he starred at the monk for a long time before chichiri got annoyed and looked up. hmm. now's my chance...now i can finally talk to him face to face. i can finally apoligize for everything. then maybe we can be friends again. tasuki cleared his throat before he spoke.
"hey chichiri....i've...i've been meaning to say this for awhile. i mean ever since that day, we haven't really talked or anything. and well i missed yer friendship. i guess i'm sorry. i didn't mean to freak you out or anything. i dont know what i was thinking..." chichiri cut him off before he could finish.
"so why'd you say it no da?"
"i uhhh...well cause you wanted to know what i was thinking"
"so you knew what you were doing then no da? it was the truth na no da?
"well yea but i didn't think you'd freak out or somethin' like you did. why have you been ignoring me chich? it hurts you know. i thought we were friends. friends dont ignore each other like that." tasuki said sternly, his temper rising.
"but friends dont feel that way for each other no da." tasuki stood up quickly and glared at the monk.
"well sorry if i cared about you chichiri!! i wont ever stop careing and yes i really do love you. but i cant believe you stopped our friendship because of that! please chichiri...can we at least be friends again? i hate not being able to talk like we used to. lets just forget about this whole thing. i dont want to lose you as a friend." tasuki said as he calmed down a bit. he starred at the monk, unable to read his friends emotions because of the mask.
chichiri laughed bitterly. "i dont know tasuki. things just seemed to have changed no da" tasuki became angered once again. why is he laughing? i dont find this funny at all. does he not care about me at all? maybe...what if he doesn't even want to be friends again? that thought shocked tasuki as he took a step back.
"so..so you dont wanna even be friends?" chichiri, starring down at his hands took his time responding.
"i dont know if you can handle just being friends no da. can you?" chichiri finally said, almost teasingly. tasuki glared at him wide eyed. he finally snapped and started yelling at the monk.
"goshdammit chichiri. your so fucking stubborn sometimes. and you tell ME to grow up. it's about time for you to! i just want to be friends again. is that too much to ask of you???" chichiri just stared at his hands. he sighed deeply before responding calmly.
"tasuki. the truth is i dont know what to think of everything. people always say i am wise and come to me for advise. but i never have any for myself. i hold things inside. and when you told me that you loved me, well i didn't know what to think of it. i held my own feelings inside.. i was scared and thought maybe you were lying. i thought maybe it was a joke and gave you time to get over it and me. then i thought i wouldn't have to deal with it anymore. but i guess you were serious. gomen tasuki."
"so....so this whole time you just wanted me to get over you huh? is that it? by not talking to me for three fucking months you thought i'd forget. well sorry chichiri but i didn't" chichiri sighed and continued to look down at his fingers. his silence made tasuki even more angery. without thinking tasuki lept at chichiri, pinning him down while he was on top. tasuki ripped off chichiri's mask and looked down at the monk. an eye looked back up at him, scared.
"tasuki! get off of me!!!" the monk cried. instead of letting him go tasuki held him down with more force and leaned down. he kissed the monk. it wasn't a nice pleasant kiss. it was meant to hurt. chichiri tried desperately to get away but tasuki was too strong. tasuki deepened the kiss, softening a bit. finally he let go of the monk and stood up. chichiri scrambled to the other side of the house. he looked at tasuki, wild eyed and hissed. tasuki starred back, finally realizing just what he had done. BAKA! what the hell have i just done???
"chichiri....i'm...gomen chichiri...i dont know why i did that. oh gosh i'm really really sorry." chichiri, confused with everything, grabbed his dried kasa and ran out the door before tasuki could say anymore. after he recovered from his shock tasuki ran out the door. he stopped and looked around. the was no sign of chichiri anywhere. the snow was falling heavier than before and had already covered his footprints. tasuki yelled out the monk's name over and over again hoping he'd come back. he finally gave up after 10 minutes and walked back in the house. he shut the door and walked over to the fire to warm up again. oh suzaku what have i done? now he probably will never talk to me again! he's out there all alone in the freezing cold. i hope he's alright. maybe he'll come back later. i hope so. then i'll apoligize for everything. tasuki sighed as he sat down. he removed his jacket and layed down next to the fire. worn down from that days events he quickly fell asleep.
Chichiri wandered through the snow, rubbing his arms trying to get the feeling back into them. where am i going? as far away from tasuki as i can i guess....oh suzaku why did he have to do that? i was just begining to think that maybe he had gotten over me. and then he had to go and kiss me. thats just not right. chichiri involentairly shivered briefly thinking he should have stayed in the cabin with tasuki. no! you dont know what he would have done! daaa but it was warm there. it's so cold out here. i have to find somewhere to stay soon before i freeze to death. he pressed on, trying to see through the cloud of white.
tasuki cracked an eye open momentarily fogetting where he was. ahhh yea i'm in the cabin. me and chich took shealter in here from the storm....chichiri! tasuki stook up suddenly looking around, expecting to see the monk sleeping somewhere in the room. there was no one else in the room. tasuki sighed. i actually thought he might come back...hn i wonder if he's ok. i hope he found somewhere to stay. oh gosh chichiri! what if he's out there freezing?? tasuki grabbed his coat which was on the floor and dashed out the door to look for chichiri. the snow had stopped falling but the temperature hadn't. it was even colder out than before. tasuki tugged his coat tighter and started walking in the direction he thought chichiri went last night. the snow was deep causing tasuki trouble as he tried to walk. some snow drifts went almost up to his waist causing him to grow impatient and use his tessen to melt the annoying snow. all he could think about now was a freezing chichiri huddled by a tree. oh suzaku, keep chichiri safe. let him be all right.
Tasuki wandered amilessly for hours upon hours, calling out the monk's name every once in awhile. che you really think he'd answer you after what you did to him a voice in his head spoke. tasuki quickly shook his head, sending snow that had gathered there all around him. He found himself standing on a snow covered hill facing a small village. few people mingled through the streets while most stayed inside due to the weather. tasuki wondered if the monk could be somewhere in that village. hn no better way to find out than to search. the ex-bandit made his way through the snow and into the village. there were two lodges here as he soon found out from a storekeeper. he went to the first one, hopes high. as he walked in he quickly banished the idea of the monk being in this lodge. many roudy guys sat around drinking and arm wrestling. the waitresses were barely clothed and the air smelled of smoke and hard liquor. hn i'd be surprised if chichiri would even set foot inside a place like this. tasuki turned to leave but was stopped in his tracks by a huge man. his black eyes glared at the red head and his breathe smelled of beer. the ugly man leaned in close, his unshaven face scraping alongside tasuki's smooth cheek.
"leaving so soon? but why?" the man rasped, "we like it when young ones like you come in. their always so fun to oh shall we say, break in?" laughter arose from the circle of men that had gathered around. tasuki sighed. he didn't want to hurt these men, they didn't do anything to him but once they tried he'd retailate at once. i dont have time for this, i'm supposed to be looking for chichiri.
"hey look, i'd love to stay and join yer little party an' all but i have ta go. so ja ne!" tasuki said as he tried to leave once again. a strong hand stopped him from moving and spun him around.
"yer not going anywhere kid. your mistake for comin in here" another man said as the group advanced towards tasuki. a couple had pulled out kniefs while others just had their arms extended ready to catch the ex-bandit. before anyone could touch him though, tasuki decided he'd had enough.
"naw, it's yer fault for picking on me." he said as he whipped out his tessen. "rekka shinen!" the tavern/lodge filled with fire for a moment before it quickly faded. a smiling tasuki walked through the snow once more, leaving behind some very charred men and tavern. he quickly came upon the only other tavern in the village. as he stepped inside he noted that it seemed much more cleaner and respectable. hm i wonder in chichiri is here. looks like the kind of place he'd stay at tasuki thought as he admired the place. it was made out of wood which gave the place a nice pine-type smell. tables were neatly arranged in the dining area as were in the bar area. there was a large group of men, probably a couple years older than me tasuki noted, sitting at the bar, drinking away. they didn't seem to be a roudy as the men in the last lodge and that set tasuki at ease. well hell, if chich ain't here i'm sure as hell not gonna search for him anymore today. it's almost getting dark and this place is nice. if he's not here well, i'll start out again tomorrow. tasuki was about to ask the man at the desk if he'd seen a blue haired monk go by here but was stopped by a green haired man. tasuki turned to face the person who had stopped, ready to pull out his tessen and rekka shinen some more people but was instead greeted with a smile.
"hey. i noticed ya came in here alone. me and my buddies were about to have some drinks. care to join us?" he asked in a very pleasant, deep voice. he gestured over to the group of men by the bar while some waved and smiled at tasuki. they sure seem like nice people. ah what the heck why not. i haven't had sake in awhile anyways.
"sure. why not. oh and my names tasuki. never did catch yours" he replied casually.
"oh gomen. i'm kasaru. and my buddies over here" he said pointing to the group, "were all part of the togoro gang."
"gang? what type of gang" tasuki questioned, clearly a little nervous.
Kasaru took notice of his nervousness and laughed. "ah you dont have to worry. were not violent or anything. we just hang out all the time and people just started calling us a gang and everything. it's alright" Tasuki loosened up a little but still decided to be on guard. he walked over to the others and sat down.
"well what are we waitin' fer? lets drink!" a couple of the men cheered to tasuki's suggestion as the sake was poured.
a couple hours later and many bottles of sake, a very intoxicated tasuki sat at the table, still surrounded by the gang. the ex-bandit felt totally at ease as he told stories of his bandit days and even the story of what happened earlier at the other lodge. the guys had laughed when he told that story but he was too drunk already to wonder why. he was also too drunk to notice when a tall, blue haired monk had walked quickly by and up to the rooms.
chichiri couldn't believe his eyes when he walked back into the lodge. tasuki was there! his first reaction was relief and happiness that his friend was there. but then he remembered back to what happened and couldn't believe the ex-bandit had found out where he was. but upon futher inspection it looked as if tasuki didn't know that he was there at all. he sighed and had quickly gone up to his room hoping he wouldn't be noticed. as he sat on his bed, trying to meditate, his thoughts kept floating back to tasuki. why was he there? had he gone looking for him? or was he just on his way back to kouji and the others since he had run out of him like that. and who were those people he was drinking with? they made chichiri feel very uneasy. they just seemed to be putting on an act, a mask almost, kinda like himself. finally chichiri gave up his meditation as he got no where while all these thoughts floated in his head. he decided to go downstairs and get a bite to eat. it had been awhile, tasuki was probably up in his room already. that or passed out on the tavern floor. the thought of his friend passed out, snoring as his fangs poked out brought a smile to the monk's face. what?? what am i thinking? i have to stop that. i cant think about tasuki that way. but the more he tried to convince himself the more he felt his love for tasuki. true, he knew he was hurting tasuki and that in turn was hurting him but everytime he wanted to tell tasuki how he felt or return tasuki's feelings, he just couldn't do it. he didn't know how. so instead he ignored tasuki hoping the feelings would go away but they did not. he sighed as he stood up and walked out of the room. he had started to go down the stairs when he noticed that the men and tasuki were still at the table. but something was happening. chichiri watched silently as some men started to get up and circle the seishi, hiding their kniefs behind their backs. tasuki still sitting, grinned at the men.
"wazz ya doin?" he slurred noticing the circle formed around him. even though he was drunk he had enough sense to know that something was about to happen. a couple men snickered as they drew in closer to tasuki.
"we just wanna play. thats all." kasaru said, and evil grin playing across his face.
"whaa?" tasuki asked intellegently. "hey....yer jus' as bad as those other guys huh?"
"no tasuki.....actually were worse you see. we drove them outta this tavern into that slum across the village. we run this place now. hell we run the whole damn village!" kasaru said laughing. a flash of fear passed through tasuki as he realized their intentions. ah hell, i gotta fry these guys too, he thought. but in his drunken state he never saw the guy at his side attack. before he felt the knief hit, someone had lifted tasuki into their arms and across the room. confused he looked up to see just who's arms he was in. his amber eyes were met by the ever so famaliar smiling mask.
"Chichiri! your alive!" tasuki said joyfully. he was about to say more when he heard the gang approach. lifting his head towards them he saw a quite amusing site. the man who had tried to attack him was now starring totally confused at the blue haired man who held the target in his arms. but the confusion quickly wore off and only angered the gang. they dashed towards chichiri in tasuki, kniefs high in the air, ready to send a blow to the victims. chichiri whispered a couple of words and before tasuki knew it they were outside. the moon shone brightly in the sky, the crisp cold air chilling them to the bones. a strong wind had picked up, blowing snow everywhere. tasuki shivered and leaned in a little closer to the monk before being dropped into a pile on snow.
"iiiiieee! thats cold! what the hell didja do that before" a now sober tasuki shrieked as he stood up, shaking the snow out of his clothes. he turned to the monk who had stayed silent, demanding an answer.
"because you can walk now no da. plus we got to get out of here before those men find us no da" chichiri said as he starred at the ground avoiding the glare that tasuki threw his way.
"alright alright. lets go. we gotta find somewhere to stay. it's fucking cold out here" tasuki said as he started walking down the street. he had only walked a couple feet when he noticed the monk lagging behind. he turned around and walked backwards, facing chichiri.
"hey chichiri! why so slow? common you can walk a little faster i know you can!" tasuki said, trying to brighten up the monk. thats when he noticed chichiri was limping. every step he took seemed like it took more effort that should be.
"hey chichiri. whats the matter?" tasuki asked a little worried. he walked towards the mage who quickly shooed him away.
"nothing no da. i'm fine no da. really." he said in his perky voice. a little too perky. tasuki didn't believe him for one second.
"didja sprain an ankle or somethin'? here, lean on me. we'll go a lot faster you know" tasuki said as he stood beside the monk who obiviously didn't want the help but knew if they wanted to get away in time, he'd have to take the offer.
"hai, i guess no da. but lets hurry no da" he said as he drapped an arm around tasuki's shoulders and leaned against him. as they made their way through most of the village tasuki took note of how his friend seemed to stumble more as they went. he shifted his arm around the monk to support him better. as he did so he felt a sticky substance on his fingers and chichiri groaned in pain.
"iiieee chichiri! what the hell?" tasuki asked, alarmed.
"it's nothing no da" chichiri said trying to keep the pain out of his voice. it didn't work though and tasuki brought his other arm around the mage and set him down slowly in the snow. his eyes quickly came upon the injury. a gash in chichiri's side. blood had soaked through his clothes and thats when tasuki first noticed the drops of blood in the snow that chichiri left as he had continued through the village.
"shit chichiri. why the hell didn't you say somethin'?" tasuki said angerly as he undid the monk's kesa and shirt to see how bad the wound was. chichiri shivered and tried to pull away from tasuki. the ex-bandit was going to have none of this.
"you gotta let me try and treat yer wound chich. dont worry -k-? i'll be gentle." he slowly stripped the shirt that stuck to his skin from the blood. the gash wasn't horrible but still needed the attention of a real doctor. the blood still oozed from it as tasuki ripped the monks shirt and bandaged his side with it. shit if only mits were here, then he could heal it up right away and everything would be great. i wonder if this village has a doctor. looking down at the wound, he noticed the blood had already started to soak through the "bandages". shit, whoever got him, got him good. a sudden rememberance shocked tasuki. he, he got this when he saved me! they were going to stab me but instead stabbed him! why, why'd he do that? shit why'd he do that to himself. chichiri's soft voice brought him back.
"ne tasuki-kun. we got to go now no da! the men are right around that corner no da!" he whispered, fear evident in his voice. "lets go. i can stand no da." chichiri started to slowly get up only to be pulled to his feet by tasuki.
"never hurts to have help ne? now lets get the hell outta here!" the two friends started once again down the street and had only gone a little ways when they heard shouting.
"there! there they are! get them! and hurry!" grunts of understanding were heard as the gang started running towards the seishi. tasuki turned around alarmed and noticed that they were quickly gaining and had arrows pointed towards them.
"shit chichiri! we gotta run or somethin'!" tasuki shouted pulling his friends arm before remembering his injury. "fuck. whatta we gonna do now?"
"run. i'm too weak to use my powers right now no da but i think i can run no da." the monk answered. tasuki grabbed onto his arm and started sprinting down the street. the men weren't far behind and the two seishi soon reached the edge of the village.
"yes, now we can hide in the forest. common chich, just a little more" tasuki said excitedly.
"hai......no..da" the monk answered, wheezing as he did. the running had taken a lot out of the already drained mage and his wound bled even more. it was getting harder to breathe. arrows suddenly flew all around them as the men continued to follow. one arrow went flying and hit tasuki right in his left shoulder blade.
"iiiieeee! fuck fuck fuck" the ex-bandit screamed but still ran forward. he ran for his life, for chichiri's life not knowing exactly where they were headed but just wanted to get away, to go somewhere safe. he knew they had better find that safe place soon. chichiri's wheezing was getting worse and he had started to slow down considerably. he heard more arrows being shot and then to his horror, felt chichiri fall. "dammit. chichiri you ok?" he squatted down looking at the monk. Chichiri's face was pale and sweaty, his whole body was shaking. blood still flowed from his earlier wound and his breathing was very unsteady. "hn, guess i'll have to carry ya now." tasuki said picking up the monk. thats when he felt the two arrows that were stuck in the monk's back. "oh shit! Chichiri!" he cried. he set chichiri down on his stomach and quickly pulled the arrows out in case they were poisioned. blood flowed from the two new wounds on the mage's back. shit if we dont get him to a doctor soon he's gonna bleed to death. once again picking up the monk and ignoring his own pain in his shoulder he ran. after what seemed like forever, tasuki stopped running as he could no longer hear the shouts of the gang. shit....hopefully we got away. he walked for awhile before finding a small ledge on the edge of the mountains. he set chichiri down, who had passed out awhile ago and sat down next to him. sighing heavily he streched out. his body hurt from all the running and carrying the monk. his lungs were tired as was the rest of him. yawning tasuki layed down next to chichiri and quickly fell asleep.
it had started snowing not too long after tasuki had fallen asleep but as tired as he was, he didn't notice the change. instead he awoke some time later only to find an unconsious, shivering monk beside him. shit...when did it start to snow? chichiri must be freezing! i used his shirt for bandages so all he has is he kesa and that was soaked in blood. stretching a little tasuki stood up, shivering from the cold. the moon was still high in the darkened sky barely visiable above the clouds. the wind whistled through the trees, scattering snow everywhere. damn, it's fucking cold. we gotta find a place to stay before we freeze. tasuki bent down and slowly took the monk in his arms, trying his best not to jostle him too much. he noticed that his kesa was damp from the snow but mostly from blood. there was a puddle of blood where the monk once lay. shit. he's already lost so much blood. common chich, hold on just a lil' bit longer please. i'll find you a doctor.....just hold on. tasuki started off, trudging through the snow, ignoring his own pain, content on finding a place to stay and a doctor to help his unconsious friend.