This is a Chichiri and Soi Romance. Why? Because. I like Chichiri. And I like Soi. XP It was actually my oneesan Rose's idea, but I ran with it. The characters belong to Watase Yuu. Yeah. This story comes when the Suzaku no seishi are on the boat on their way to Hokkan to retrieve the Shinzaho.
~~~Forever Love~~~
The young emperor nodded slowly, sighed, and pressed his forehead against his folded hands. "You were right to come back, Tamahome-kun. Demo, we still need to get the Shinzaho before Kutou does," he said slowly.
"I agree, Heika-sama," Tamahome replied. "Should we split up, half going for the Shinzaho and half going for Chichiri-san? Or..."
Hotohori slowly shook his head, his hands still pressed to his forehead. "Iie, there's no way we could get into their fortress undetected without Chichiri-san. Besides, none of us really stand much of a chance against them without someone to counter their magic." He sighed again. "Iie, you should probably hurry back to Hokkan to search for the Shinzaho."
"Demo, what about Chichiri--?" Tasuki suddenly demanded from the group of seishi standing before the handsome young emperor. "Are we just going to fuckin' leave him there?!"
Nuriko crossed his arms and looked annoyed. "Tasuki-kun, I've already explained it to you thirty-seven times. We will do Chichiri absolutely no good if we're all dead. We don't stand a chance," he said in an overly exasperated tone. Tasuki pouted, but said nothing.
"Perhaps a few of us should stay here," Chiriko piped up from the back of the group. All eyes turned to the thirteen-year-old genius and he cleared his throat to explain. "I've been thinking about it and I assume that they are leaving Chichiri-san alive for information and possibly a way to get to us. Nakago would have killed him while we all watched, just to rub it in. Demo, he chose to take Chichiri-san with him. If Nakago would decide to try and get something from us by offering Chichiri-san, perhaps a few of us should stay here with the Heika-sama," he finished.
Hotohori paused for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Then who shall stay and who shall go..?" he finally asked.
"I'll go look for the Shinzaho," Tamahome declared. Miaka, who was standing near him, quickly offered to join him.
Mitsukake also stepped forward, nodding his head. "My healing powers would probably be of more use going with Tamahome-kun and Miaka-chan. I offer to join them," he said in his deep, rich voice.
"I'd just as soon stay here, in case that blond bastard comes back," Nuriko put in grimly. "Boy, I'd like to get a piece of him...." He shoved his balled right fist into his left palm threateningly.
Chiriko spoke up next. "I'd like to stay here too, I think. As much as I'd like to help you guys out, I'm afraid I'd probably just get in the way. And I believe my skills would be better put to use if I stayed."
At this point, all eyes were pointed towards Tasuki, standing a little ways off to one side, his arms folded across his chest and a half-pouting look spread across his handsome features. Finally, he made up his mind and announced, "I'm goin' to look for the Shinzaho. No use fuckin' around here when I could be helping you guys out a little."
"All right," Hotohori said, standing from his chair. "Then it's settled. I'll have supplies prepared for you four immediately. You may leave within the hour. I'll inform the guards that we may need extra protection in case the Kutou spies do come with an offer."
The seven of them scattered off, the ones planning to stay behind helping the others prepare for a potentially extremely long trip. The boat they would be taking across the valley was prepared barely in time and the young emperor found himself waving good-bye to his beloved miko once again. Sighing, he turned away as soon as the boat was out of view. Chiriko and Nuriko were watching too and Chiriko turned when the emperor did, but Nuriko stayed a moment afterwards, a strong sense of foreboding pulling at the back of his mind.
A few moments later, Nuriko too turned, after Chiriko shouted his name in a somewhat worried tone. Whatever he had just felt was now gone, like flower petals caught in a gust of wind.
But he didn't forget what he had felt.
She had set up a cot in the room adjoining the one containing the young sorcerer during the first night. Nakago had been back, but only when she was asleep in the next room. She knew he was very capable to watch the prisoner himself, but for some reason, he was having her keep watching him.
The prisoner had been unconscious for the better part of four days. Nakago's spell had hurt him quite seriously, but quiet moans from his slightly parted lips assured her that he was still alive at the moments when even his breathing was nearly stilled.
On the evening of the fourth day, she had overheard some soldiers talking about the fact that Konan was sending people out again to look for the Shinzaho, taking the same boat route they had before. Surprised, she had sought out Nakago and asked him what the counterattack plan would be.
Nakago smiled. "You shouldn't worry about that," he said in that devilish voice. "I've already sent Miboshi and Suboshi to deal with whatever threat Konan still has to offer. What of the prisoner? Has he awakened yet?"
"Iie. His moans are becoming more frequent, however, and I think he'll probably wake up soon," she replied. She glanced over her shoulder and back down the hallway, to where the young man's prison was.
Nakago nodded briefly, his blond locks falling forward as he did so. "I see. I want you to keep on monitoring him. If he wakes, answer his questions. Demo, be vague. Let him know that he'll likely kill himself if he tries anything. He'll probably be only strong enough to be awake for a few minutes."
"Hai." She half-bowed respectively as Nakago took his leave. She watched him go, his tall, strong posture not wavering one bit as he made his way down the hallway. She respected him for it; she cared for him because of it, his strength, his perseverance, his bravery. Sighing slightly, she turned away and walked back down the corridor, and, upon reaching it, she entered the prisoner's room.
She had set up a place for her to rest in the vicinity, as much of her time was spent in there or nearby outside the door. Settling in, she glanced again at their prisoner. He was close to waking up, she could tell by the fact that he had moved one of his hands from against his side up to his stomach.
A few lamps had been lit so she could see clearly. She waited and watched for about ten minutes. Then she stated in a clear, loud voice, "Are you awake yet? Or did you plan to sleep forever?"
The young man grunted lightly and winced, bringing his right hand up to his face and rubbing at his eye slightly. After a long pause, he murmured almost intelligibly, "I'm cold no da...."
She paused a moment, uncertain. That wasn't exactly what she had been expecting. But as she did pause, she thought that perhaps it was in fact a little chilly in the room. She shook the thought away; she could not let her sympathy for the wounded make her forget that this was a potentially dangerous enemy. "What's your name?" she demanded.
He murmured something quietly and slurred unclearly.
Slightly annoyed, she poked his arm with a long fingernail. "Wake up already. And tell me your name, and say it so I can understand what you're saying this time," she persisted.
Slowly, he opened his eyes. Or rather, his eye. The left one, the one with the scars covering it, did not open, probably sealed shut from the injury. He turned toward the sound of her voice and blinked groggily. "You're not Kouran no da," he said sounding somewhat surprised.
She did not know of anyone named Kouran. She was fully prepared to tell him so. "No, I'm not Kouran. My name is Soi. Now. Who are you?" she demanded for the third time, hoping the addition of her own name would prompt him to comply.
"Houjun," he said softly, still not looking completely awake. "Ri Houjun. That's my name no da."
Houjun? she thought. Nakago had mentioned the man's name and, although she couldn't remember what that was, she did know Nakago had not said 'Ri Houjun.' Which meant that he was either lying or stating his real name. Just as she was Haku Kaen as well as Soi, perhaps he was Ri Houjun as well as his constellation name. "Your constellation name," she said. "I need your seishi name."
"Seishi...." Houjun blinked a few times, and suddenly seemed alot more with it. He looked around suddenly, apparently just realizing he wasn't where he thought he was. But instead of panicking and demanding to know where he was as she had expected him to, he simple settled back down on to the cot. "Soi, you said no da? Of the Seiryuu no seishi undoubtedly no da. My seishi name is Chichiri no da. Am I in Kutou now no da?"
"Hai. This is Kutou," she replied shortly. "Don't try anything--Nakago-sama still has his reversal spell in place, as well as a number of other precautions. You'd never make it out. As long as you're compliant, we'll leave you alive."
"I didn't intend to so much as move, not in this condition no da. I do appreciate your concern for my life though no da." There was a mischievous glint in his deep brown eye and the beginnings of a smirk on his lips.
She scowled. "That's not what I meant. Nakago-sama had me tell you your circumstances to make sure you were aware of the risks to your life. We will have no qualms in killing you if you should try anything," she responded coldly. "I'd kill you right now if Nakago-sama wished it."
"I'd expect nothing less from him no da," Chichiri replied. "I'm a little surprised that I'm even breathing now as we speak no da."
She sniffed indignantly. "Frankly, I am too. I have no idea why he bothered keeping you alive. He probably wants to torture you to death. Such things please him sometimes," she said, trying to scare him.
The young man, however, was not easily intimidated. He just nodded simply, looked away from her, as in thought, and said simply, "Hai, from what I know of him, that doesn't surprise me no da." He shifted a little and a look of discomfort appeared on his face.
"You probably want to rest, ne? I'll let you be then," she said, beginning to stand.
"Chotto mate kudasai na no da," he said suddenly, making a stopping gesture with his left hand. "I have something I'd like to ask you no da. You seem like a decent young lady, why do you stay here with Seiryuu no da? Doushite no da? Why not leave this place and Nakago no da?"
She stared coldly at him. "What business is that of yours?"
"Can't think of a reason no da?"
If looks could kill, Chichiri would have been fried on the spot. "Of course I can. I stay here because I am a Seiryuu no Seishi and it is my duty to serve my god. I stay here and fight for my country. I stay here because I love Nakago," she snarled, angrier with each word. Having said this, she pressed her lips together in a tight line and turned, stalking out of the room.
He was undaunted and continued with, "Does he love you too no da?"
"Of course he does."
The door shut behind her and she reflected on how empty her words sounded, even to her.
Running. He was running. Running and laughing and smiling. He was carrying something. Running, running, running, through the town, through the pastures beyond the village limits. He was running. Running to his favorite corner, his favorite place, to his friends. He smiled.
There they were, behind the oak. The giant oak they used to play in when they were but eight years old. Ten years ago, now; ten years, an eternity ago as he ran. He had found her clip, the one she treasured so much, the one her grandmother had given her as an engagement present, the one she had lost just a few days earlier. She would be so pleased.
He stopped running when he got to the tree. He stopped running, he stopped laughing, he stopped smiling. He started hurting, he started hating, and he started dying. They weren't telling each other what they had done over the weekend, they weren't talking of what he would wear to the wedding, they weren't playing a game in the sand. They were holding each other, embracing, embarking, partaking of each other in a way he could not bear. They breathed the same scent, they shared the same warmth, they tasted the same lips. They lived and breathed and shared and tasted what she had promised to only live and breathe and share and taste with him.
And then she took it all back.
The hugs, the kisses, the affectionate squeezes, the words, the clasped hands, the meals, the times she let him play with her hair, the touches, the whispers, the tenderness, the harmony, the joy, the peace, the trust. She took it all back and gave it away with her lips, with her tears, with her bitter sobs, with her shoulders heaving as she wept, with her sniffling voice, with the words she spoke.
"...I'm sorry, Houjun, I cannot marry you anymore..."
"So you do love him...," he murmured, opening his good eye and staring at the ceiling that had not been there just a moment ago.
Immediately, another voice replied to his quiet plea. It was a harder voice, a lower voice than the one in the dream. "What are you mumbling about now?" the voice demanded wryly.
Having been trained to conceal his feelings, Chichiri took his time turning his head to look at the woman seated a few feet away from the bed. She was wearing a scarlet robe and her long tresses flowed out around her like a cape. Her penetrating blue-eyed gaze was fixed on him and her battle-hardened face bemused.
"Talking in my sleep, I suspect no da," Chichiri replied, not realizing he had spoken out loud and hoping it was something trivial he had murmured. "What did I say no da?"
She kept gazing at him. "Something like, 'So you do love him.' Bad dream?" She smirked.
He sighed softly and cringed to himself. He remembered the dream vividly and, although it wasn't the first time he had seen it, it still hurt beyond words. The last thing he wanted to do was explain the whole ordeal to an unsympathetic enemy warrior who was likely to use it against him later in his interrogation. "Bad memory, more like," he responded softly, hoping to shut her up.
~~THIS CHAPTER WILL BE CONTINUED LATER. CHECK MY PROFILE FOR UPDATES.~~
~~~Forever Love~~~
The young emperor nodded slowly, sighed, and pressed his forehead against his folded hands. "You were right to come back, Tamahome-kun. Demo, we still need to get the Shinzaho before Kutou does," he said slowly.
"I agree, Heika-sama," Tamahome replied. "Should we split up, half going for the Shinzaho and half going for Chichiri-san? Or..."
Hotohori slowly shook his head, his hands still pressed to his forehead. "Iie, there's no way we could get into their fortress undetected without Chichiri-san. Besides, none of us really stand much of a chance against them without someone to counter their magic." He sighed again. "Iie, you should probably hurry back to Hokkan to search for the Shinzaho."
"Demo, what about Chichiri--?" Tasuki suddenly demanded from the group of seishi standing before the handsome young emperor. "Are we just going to fuckin' leave him there?!"
Nuriko crossed his arms and looked annoyed. "Tasuki-kun, I've already explained it to you thirty-seven times. We will do Chichiri absolutely no good if we're all dead. We don't stand a chance," he said in an overly exasperated tone. Tasuki pouted, but said nothing.
"Perhaps a few of us should stay here," Chiriko piped up from the back of the group. All eyes turned to the thirteen-year-old genius and he cleared his throat to explain. "I've been thinking about it and I assume that they are leaving Chichiri-san alive for information and possibly a way to get to us. Nakago would have killed him while we all watched, just to rub it in. Demo, he chose to take Chichiri-san with him. If Nakago would decide to try and get something from us by offering Chichiri-san, perhaps a few of us should stay here with the Heika-sama," he finished.
Hotohori paused for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Then who shall stay and who shall go..?" he finally asked.
"I'll go look for the Shinzaho," Tamahome declared. Miaka, who was standing near him, quickly offered to join him.
Mitsukake also stepped forward, nodding his head. "My healing powers would probably be of more use going with Tamahome-kun and Miaka-chan. I offer to join them," he said in his deep, rich voice.
"I'd just as soon stay here, in case that blond bastard comes back," Nuriko put in grimly. "Boy, I'd like to get a piece of him...." He shoved his balled right fist into his left palm threateningly.
Chiriko spoke up next. "I'd like to stay here too, I think. As much as I'd like to help you guys out, I'm afraid I'd probably just get in the way. And I believe my skills would be better put to use if I stayed."
At this point, all eyes were pointed towards Tasuki, standing a little ways off to one side, his arms folded across his chest and a half-pouting look spread across his handsome features. Finally, he made up his mind and announced, "I'm goin' to look for the Shinzaho. No use fuckin' around here when I could be helping you guys out a little."
"All right," Hotohori said, standing from his chair. "Then it's settled. I'll have supplies prepared for you four immediately. You may leave within the hour. I'll inform the guards that we may need extra protection in case the Kutou spies do come with an offer."
The seven of them scattered off, the ones planning to stay behind helping the others prepare for a potentially extremely long trip. The boat they would be taking across the valley was prepared barely in time and the young emperor found himself waving good-bye to his beloved miko once again. Sighing, he turned away as soon as the boat was out of view. Chiriko and Nuriko were watching too and Chiriko turned when the emperor did, but Nuriko stayed a moment afterwards, a strong sense of foreboding pulling at the back of his mind.
A few moments later, Nuriko too turned, after Chiriko shouted his name in a somewhat worried tone. Whatever he had just felt was now gone, like flower petals caught in a gust of wind.
But he didn't forget what he had felt.
She had set up a cot in the room adjoining the one containing the young sorcerer during the first night. Nakago had been back, but only when she was asleep in the next room. She knew he was very capable to watch the prisoner himself, but for some reason, he was having her keep watching him.
The prisoner had been unconscious for the better part of four days. Nakago's spell had hurt him quite seriously, but quiet moans from his slightly parted lips assured her that he was still alive at the moments when even his breathing was nearly stilled.
On the evening of the fourth day, she had overheard some soldiers talking about the fact that Konan was sending people out again to look for the Shinzaho, taking the same boat route they had before. Surprised, she had sought out Nakago and asked him what the counterattack plan would be.
Nakago smiled. "You shouldn't worry about that," he said in that devilish voice. "I've already sent Miboshi and Suboshi to deal with whatever threat Konan still has to offer. What of the prisoner? Has he awakened yet?"
"Iie. His moans are becoming more frequent, however, and I think he'll probably wake up soon," she replied. She glanced over her shoulder and back down the hallway, to where the young man's prison was.
Nakago nodded briefly, his blond locks falling forward as he did so. "I see. I want you to keep on monitoring him. If he wakes, answer his questions. Demo, be vague. Let him know that he'll likely kill himself if he tries anything. He'll probably be only strong enough to be awake for a few minutes."
"Hai." She half-bowed respectively as Nakago took his leave. She watched him go, his tall, strong posture not wavering one bit as he made his way down the hallway. She respected him for it; she cared for him because of it, his strength, his perseverance, his bravery. Sighing slightly, she turned away and walked back down the corridor, and, upon reaching it, she entered the prisoner's room.
She had set up a place for her to rest in the vicinity, as much of her time was spent in there or nearby outside the door. Settling in, she glanced again at their prisoner. He was close to waking up, she could tell by the fact that he had moved one of his hands from against his side up to his stomach.
A few lamps had been lit so she could see clearly. She waited and watched for about ten minutes. Then she stated in a clear, loud voice, "Are you awake yet? Or did you plan to sleep forever?"
The young man grunted lightly and winced, bringing his right hand up to his face and rubbing at his eye slightly. After a long pause, he murmured almost intelligibly, "I'm cold no da...."
She paused a moment, uncertain. That wasn't exactly what she had been expecting. But as she did pause, she thought that perhaps it was in fact a little chilly in the room. She shook the thought away; she could not let her sympathy for the wounded make her forget that this was a potentially dangerous enemy. "What's your name?" she demanded.
He murmured something quietly and slurred unclearly.
Slightly annoyed, she poked his arm with a long fingernail. "Wake up already. And tell me your name, and say it so I can understand what you're saying this time," she persisted.
Slowly, he opened his eyes. Or rather, his eye. The left one, the one with the scars covering it, did not open, probably sealed shut from the injury. He turned toward the sound of her voice and blinked groggily. "You're not Kouran no da," he said sounding somewhat surprised.
She did not know of anyone named Kouran. She was fully prepared to tell him so. "No, I'm not Kouran. My name is Soi. Now. Who are you?" she demanded for the third time, hoping the addition of her own name would prompt him to comply.
"Houjun," he said softly, still not looking completely awake. "Ri Houjun. That's my name no da."
Houjun? she thought. Nakago had mentioned the man's name and, although she couldn't remember what that was, she did know Nakago had not said 'Ri Houjun.' Which meant that he was either lying or stating his real name. Just as she was Haku Kaen as well as Soi, perhaps he was Ri Houjun as well as his constellation name. "Your constellation name," she said. "I need your seishi name."
"Seishi...." Houjun blinked a few times, and suddenly seemed alot more with it. He looked around suddenly, apparently just realizing he wasn't where he thought he was. But instead of panicking and demanding to know where he was as she had expected him to, he simple settled back down on to the cot. "Soi, you said no da? Of the Seiryuu no seishi undoubtedly no da. My seishi name is Chichiri no da. Am I in Kutou now no da?"
"Hai. This is Kutou," she replied shortly. "Don't try anything--Nakago-sama still has his reversal spell in place, as well as a number of other precautions. You'd never make it out. As long as you're compliant, we'll leave you alive."
"I didn't intend to so much as move, not in this condition no da. I do appreciate your concern for my life though no da." There was a mischievous glint in his deep brown eye and the beginnings of a smirk on his lips.
She scowled. "That's not what I meant. Nakago-sama had me tell you your circumstances to make sure you were aware of the risks to your life. We will have no qualms in killing you if you should try anything," she responded coldly. "I'd kill you right now if Nakago-sama wished it."
"I'd expect nothing less from him no da," Chichiri replied. "I'm a little surprised that I'm even breathing now as we speak no da."
She sniffed indignantly. "Frankly, I am too. I have no idea why he bothered keeping you alive. He probably wants to torture you to death. Such things please him sometimes," she said, trying to scare him.
The young man, however, was not easily intimidated. He just nodded simply, looked away from her, as in thought, and said simply, "Hai, from what I know of him, that doesn't surprise me no da." He shifted a little and a look of discomfort appeared on his face.
"You probably want to rest, ne? I'll let you be then," she said, beginning to stand.
"Chotto mate kudasai na no da," he said suddenly, making a stopping gesture with his left hand. "I have something I'd like to ask you no da. You seem like a decent young lady, why do you stay here with Seiryuu no da? Doushite no da? Why not leave this place and Nakago no da?"
She stared coldly at him. "What business is that of yours?"
"Can't think of a reason no da?"
If looks could kill, Chichiri would have been fried on the spot. "Of course I can. I stay here because I am a Seiryuu no Seishi and it is my duty to serve my god. I stay here and fight for my country. I stay here because I love Nakago," she snarled, angrier with each word. Having said this, she pressed her lips together in a tight line and turned, stalking out of the room.
He was undaunted and continued with, "Does he love you too no da?"
"Of course he does."
The door shut behind her and she reflected on how empty her words sounded, even to her.
Running. He was running. Running and laughing and smiling. He was carrying something. Running, running, running, through the town, through the pastures beyond the village limits. He was running. Running to his favorite corner, his favorite place, to his friends. He smiled.
There they were, behind the oak. The giant oak they used to play in when they were but eight years old. Ten years ago, now; ten years, an eternity ago as he ran. He had found her clip, the one she treasured so much, the one her grandmother had given her as an engagement present, the one she had lost just a few days earlier. She would be so pleased.
He stopped running when he got to the tree. He stopped running, he stopped laughing, he stopped smiling. He started hurting, he started hating, and he started dying. They weren't telling each other what they had done over the weekend, they weren't talking of what he would wear to the wedding, they weren't playing a game in the sand. They were holding each other, embracing, embarking, partaking of each other in a way he could not bear. They breathed the same scent, they shared the same warmth, they tasted the same lips. They lived and breathed and shared and tasted what she had promised to only live and breathe and share and taste with him.
And then she took it all back.
The hugs, the kisses, the affectionate squeezes, the words, the clasped hands, the meals, the times she let him play with her hair, the touches, the whispers, the tenderness, the harmony, the joy, the peace, the trust. She took it all back and gave it away with her lips, with her tears, with her bitter sobs, with her shoulders heaving as she wept, with her sniffling voice, with the words she spoke.
"...I'm sorry, Houjun, I cannot marry you anymore..."
"So you do love him...," he murmured, opening his good eye and staring at the ceiling that had not been there just a moment ago.
Immediately, another voice replied to his quiet plea. It was a harder voice, a lower voice than the one in the dream. "What are you mumbling about now?" the voice demanded wryly.
Having been trained to conceal his feelings, Chichiri took his time turning his head to look at the woman seated a few feet away from the bed. She was wearing a scarlet robe and her long tresses flowed out around her like a cape. Her penetrating blue-eyed gaze was fixed on him and her battle-hardened face bemused.
"Talking in my sleep, I suspect no da," Chichiri replied, not realizing he had spoken out loud and hoping it was something trivial he had murmured. "What did I say no da?"
She kept gazing at him. "Something like, 'So you do love him.' Bad dream?" She smirked.
He sighed softly and cringed to himself. He remembered the dream vividly and, although it wasn't the first time he had seen it, it still hurt beyond words. The last thing he wanted to do was explain the whole ordeal to an unsympathetic enemy warrior who was likely to use it against him later in his interrogation. "Bad memory, more like," he responded softly, hoping to shut her up.
~~THIS CHAPTER WILL BE CONTINUED LATER. CHECK MY PROFILE FOR UPDATES.~~