Note: These characters are not my own creation. This story does not follow
the known FY storyline. The language is PG. (Hey, Tasuki's in there. What
do you expect?)
Promises
Part 3
By: A.J. Matthews
Nuriko and Chiriko rushed Chichiri to the nearest hospital. Blood was staining the interior of Hotohori's car. Chiriko applied pressure to Chichiri's palm as tightly as he could. Chichiri's skin was ghastly white.
"The circle." Chichiri moaned. "Don't break the circle."
When they arrived, Nuriko jumped out of the car with the keys, ran over to Chiriko's door, and scooped up Chichiri.
He gasped as he saw all of the blood. "God, I've never seen anything like that." He ran into the Emergency Room carrying Chichiri. Chiriko was right behind him, after locking up the car.
The nurse on duty looked up.
"What seems to be the trouble?" She froze and stared at the blood running down Nuriko's torn shirt. "Oh my. Come this way, dear." She led them down to a room.
Nuriko lay Chichiri flat on the bed, and held his right arm up high to try to stop the bleeding. Chiriko was pale himself, as he looked at Chichiri.
The doctor hurried in. "What seems to be the problem?" He looked at the three of them. Chichiri was the only one who didn't have blood all over, because his arm had been held by Chiriko.
"A thief stabbed through his palm with a sharp knife," Nuriko said. "We tried applying pressure to it and bandaged it, but it won't stop."
The doctor nodded slowly. He stuck his head out of the room. "Nurse, get me to medical tools! NOW!" He walked over to Chichiri and touched his forehead. The kid was cold and shaking.
"Tasuki." he moaned. "I want Tasuki."
"Chiriko, stay with him. I'd better call Hotohori." Nuriko looked stricken. He thought this was all his fault; he'd insisted that Chichiri would be fine with him. And now Chichiri looked.dead.
Nuriko walked down to the nurses' station. "I need to call his family," he said. The kindly nurse showed him to a room where a phone was located.
Nuriko slowly dialed Hotohori's number. The phone rang twice.
"Moshimoshi," Hotohori said.
"Hotohori?" whispered Nuriko in a stricken voice.
"Nuriko? What's wrong?" Hotohori suddenly had a sinking feeling.
Nuriko said faintly, "Ashikarazu, Hotohori." He started to cry.
"Zentai, Nuriko!" Hotohori really didn't have a good feeling now, because Nuriko was crying.
"It's Chichiri." Nuriko sobbed. "We were leaving and Soi."
"Is he."
"No, but he's hurt badly. His hand won't stop bleeding. And it stained your car."
"I'll be right there." Hotohori hung up and ordered his limousine readied.
Nuriko hung the phone up and walked back down to the room. He was too scared to tell Tasuki what had happened without Hotohori there.
The doctor was stitching up Chichiri's right palm. He had opened his eyes. Chiriko was talking to him, asking him questions. Nuriko sat down in the chair next to Chiriko.
The doctor saw the stricken look on Nuriko's face. "He'll live," he assured them. "But it was a bad cut that sliced through a vein. It'll take a while for it to heal." He tied off the stitches and washed his hands.
Hotohori burst into the room. "Is he all right?"
The doctor blinked at seeing the young lord. "Don't worry, he'll be fine in a day or two." He wrapped gauze around stitches and used medical tape on it.
Hotohori nodded slowly. He saw the expression on Nuriko's face. Blood was all over his face and clothes.
"Can we take him home now?" Hotohori asked softly.
The doctor nodded. "Let him rest for about two hours." He stood up. "He's lucky you got him here so fast," he said, looking at Nuriko and Chiriko. He then walked out of the room.
"I'm so sorry, Hotohori," said Nuriko. "I did my best."
"We both did," Chiriko said. "Soi came out of nowhere. Chichiri's the one who fought her off."
"We were trapped in a web of some kind," Nuriko explained. "Not even Chichiri sensed it."
"I see," Hotohori said gently. "We have four hours until the concert. I suggest we take Chichiri home and let him rest. We can also bring in his things. Then, we'll talk to Tasuki." He could sense there was something they weren't saying, by the strange looks they kept giving Chichiri.
"I feel weak, no da," Chichiri said. He sat up and fell to one side. Hotohori caught him and picked him up gently.
He looked at Nuriko, who had a trace of envy on his face. "I would've let you carry him, Nuriko, but the blood."
Nuriko nodded and led the way to the car.
Hotohori gaped when he saw the blood in the backseat. "Lets move all of Chichiri's things into my limousine," he said. "That would just freak Tasuki out more."
Chiriko and Nuriko began loading the boxes into the limo with the driver's help. They then climbed into the car as the driver held the door open. Chiriko still held the gleaming staff in his hands.
The driver then closed the door and took his seat up front. "Where to, my lord?"
"Genroe's apartment building," Hotohori responded. Chichiri had fallen asleep, sitting next to Hotohori. He looked very white.
The driver sped off. The distance was, thankfully, less than ten blocks away. He made it there in no time.
"Nuriko, hand Chichiri to me when I get out," said Hotohori, as the driver opened the door for them.
Nuriko did so quietly. Chiriko followed them upstairs, being silent for once. Both of them were carrying boxes again, along with the driver, and Chiriko carried the staff as well. Nuriko carried five boxes at once.
By the time they got to Tasuki and Chichiri's apartment, the driver had carried most of the boxes upstairs. They sat in the hallway in front of the door.
Hotohori looked at the sleeping boy in his arms.
Tasuki was going to be so pissed, thought Nuriko. He braced himself as Chiriko rang the doorbell.
Nuriko stood in front of Hotohori as the door opened.
"Come on in," Tasuki said, and froze. "Nuriko." He gasped at the blood all over Nuriko's torn shirt. Chiriko had blood all over him as well and held a golden staff. "What happened?"
Hotohori stepped forward, holding Chichiri carefully.
"Chichiri!" Tasuki cried. His clothes and hair looked great in Tasuki's mind, but he was more focused on how pale Chichiri was. Chichiri opened his eyes for a few moments, and then sank back into sleep.
"Tasuki." he whispered.
Tasuki took Chichiri in his arms. He carried him tenderly into the bedroom and placed him on the bed. He covered him gently with the blankets, because Chichiri was ice-cold to the touch. He touched the bandaged hand gently and then he stormed back into the main room.
The others had dragged in most of the boxes when he got back.
"How in the Hell did that happen?" Tasuki hissed angrily, gesturing towards the bedroom.
"He'll be better in a few hours, Tasuki." Hotohori looked at him compassionately. "I do not know the whole story, myself." He looked at Nuriko and Chiriko. "Perhaps you could explain it now, please?"
"Hai," Nuriko sighed.
He and Chiriko told the story- how everything had been fine up until they went to the hairdresser's; how Chichiri had sensed something possibly, but had insisted it was nothing; how Soi had trapped them in the parking lot; and how Chichiri had been the one to drive her off. And what the doctor had said.
"I'm telling you, something about Chichiri changed," Nuriko said for the third time. "He sounded and looked older. And after she left, he turned to us and said, 'I thought you were dead..' You wanna tell me where that came from?"
"There was something about him.That Chichiri said that the Chichiri we know '.possesses his soul but not his memories. His talents and Suzaku are with him.' " Chiriko said earnestly. "That what he said exactly."
Hotohori looked thoughtful. "Anything else?"
"He mentioned the not breaking the circle again," Nuriko said. "I'm so sorry, Tasuki." He looked downcast.
Tasuki sighed. "It's not your fault. But I can't wait to get my hands on that bitch."
"He'll still be able to go the concert," Hotohori reassured him. "And with all of us there, there's no way Soi or Nakago could interfere."
Tasuki nodded. "I just. I just love him so damn much. It hurts to see him like that."
"I understand," Nuriko said. "I've got to get home to change my clothes and take a shower. I can't go to the concert like this."
"I've got to go catch the bus," Chiriko announced. He walked over to Tasuki and handed the staff to him. "This is the staff that appeared when Chichiri changed. See you tomorrow." He left the apartment.
Hotohori looked at Nuriko. Now he was the one who seemed frail and lost. Nuriko's eyes were sad as he saw Chichiri's sleeping form on the bed.
Nuriko reached into his pocket and pulled out Hotohori's credit card and keys. He handed them to Hotohori. "Here," he said numbly. "I'll see you guys in a few hours." He walked to the door and walked out. Nuriko's face was still ashen.
"See you tonight, Tasuki," Hotohori said. He walked after Nuriko quickly.
Tasuki walked back into the bedroom. He set the alarm clock to go off in two hours, and then got into bed with Chichiri, who immediately curled up to him. He lay there, holding Chichiri tightly until he fell asleep.
1 Nuriko's Apartment
Nuriko opened the door to his apartment. He walked inside, and collapsed to the ground, leaning against the wall. He sobbed against his hands. God, Chichiri could have died because of me, he shouted at himself.
Hotohori heard anguished sobs coming from Nuriko's apartment. The door was wide open, so he walked inside. He found Nuriko huddled against the wall. He walked over and gently placed a hand on Nuriko's shoulder.
Nuriko looked up in surprise. He flushed when he saw Hotohori looking at him in concern. Tears were still running down his beautiful face.
Hotohori gently wiped them away. "Are you ok, Nuriko?"
"Yes.no," admitted Nuriko. He looked downcast.
Hotohori had never seen Nuriko so sad. "What's wrong?" He knelt on the floor next to Nuriko.
"I failed him. I failed Chichiri. and I failed you," Nuriko wept. "I wasn't able to protect him."
Hotohori embraced Nuriko. If he saw the flush on the other boy's face, he gave no sign. "Nuriko, I'm sure you tried your best. You always do."
Nuriko nodded slowly. "I'm just so scared." He looked into Hotohori's beautiful eyes. "And I finally realized something. I wouldn't mind dying, if it kept them alive."
Hotohori blinked in surprise. "Strange, but I feel that way too."
They smiled at each other. But they made no move to separate.
Hotohori felt strange, as he looked down at Nuriko. Even with blood on him, Nuriko was still beautiful to him Hotohori admitted in his heart.
Nuriko looked at Hotohori. As always, his beauty, both outside and inside, made Nuriko fill with longing. He wanted to brush the hair out of Hotohori's eyes. But Hotohori had never looked at him that way. That's why Nuriko was surprised when Hotohori's gentle lips touched his soft and sweetly.
Magic soared between them. My god, Hotohori thought. Is this what Tasuki and Chichiri feel when they kiss? The kiss deepened as Nuriko's long hidden feelings surged forth, surprising Hotohori, as he began to respond.
"Ahem." coughed Mitsukake, as he, Tamahome, Miaka, and Yui stood there.
Nuriko and Hotohori broke apart. Both looked highly embarrassed. They stood up and looked at the others.
Hotohori gave Nuriko a significant look that said, we'll talk about this later.
Nuriko nodded. "How went your search for the book?" he asked Tamahome.
Tamahome shook his head. "No luck."
"We were on our way to say hello to Chichiri and Tasuki," Miaka said.
Hotohori nodded. "I need to go home and get ready for the concert tonight." He licked his lips and vaguely waved goodbye to the others as he walked out.
After Hotohori left, Nuriko looked at the others with a flash of worry on his face. That's when they got a good look at his bloody clothes.
Yui and Miaka screamed.
Nuriko stared at them. "What's wrong?" he asked.
Mitsukake stepped forward. "Where are you hurt, Nuriko?"
Tamahome was pale.
"No, I'm not hurt," Nuriko said, remembering the blood. "Tasuki and Chichiri both are, but Chichiri got it worse." He bit his lower lip. "This blood is Chichiri's. Mitsukake, please do what you can for them. I'm going to take a shower and then head upstairs. Oh, yeah, you're all invited to the concert," Nuriko said, as he headed to the bathroom. "The invitations are upstairs, with Tasuki."
The others looked at each other, and then tore out of the apartment and up the stairs to Tasuki's apartment. The door was locked and nobody answered. So Tamahome did what he felt was the only acceptable thing to do.
He broke down the door.
Tasuki was startled awake. He grabbed his tessen and ran into the living room, shouting, "Lekka Shien!!"
Tamahome barely dodged the flames. "Watch it, Tasuki!"
"Gomen, Tamahome," Tasuki said. "It has been a hard day." Tamahome looked at him closely and saw the stitches on Tasuki's forehead.
Mitsukake stepped forward and touched the wound gently. After a few moments, it healed over. Tasuki tried to move away, but it was too late.
He sighed, then ran back into the bedroom. "Mitsukake, come quickly," called Tasuki. All of them followed Tasuki. And all of them looked horrified when they saw how pale Chichiri was. His skin was naturally pale, but now looked pure white.
Mitsukake touched Chichiri's forehead and focused. It took over three minutes for there to be any noticeable change in Chichiri's coloring. The paleness faded away, and Chichiri opened his eyes. Mitsukake looked exhausted.
"Tasuki, no da," Chichiri said happily. He sat up, and tried to embrace his love. He winced as he moved his right hand.
Tasuki hugged Chichiri since Chichiri couldn't hug him. He looked relieved. "Thank you, Mitsukake," whispered Tasuki with tears running down his face.
"Hey, the concert's still on tonight, isn't it, Tasuki?" asked Tamahome.
"Yes." Tasuki was holding Chichiri close. "Did I tell you yet, Chichiri, that I love your haircut?"
Chichiri beamed. "Thanks, Tasuki. Nuriko said he'd crack your skull if you said you didn't, no da."
Tasuki laughed, as did Tamahome and the others. "He could try." His grin told them all what he thought of that.
Miaka was looking around the room. She gasped as she saw the staff.
"That staff. I've seen it somewhere before," she whispered. But she didn't say a word to the others. Tasuki and Chichiri were talking to each other.
Tamahome looked at Miaka. "Are you ok?"
"Hai. Just excited about the concert. Hotohori got us great seats," she said.
Yui beamed. "And we'll finally see if Tasuki is as good a singer as he brags."
Tasuki scowled at Yui. "Just you wait." He looked back at Chichiri. "Do you remember what happened?"
"No, no da," Chichiri said quickly.
Too quickly, in Tasuki's opinion. He hid a frown, and decided to talk to Chichiri about it later.
1.1 To be continued.
Promises
Part 3
By: A.J. Matthews
Nuriko and Chiriko rushed Chichiri to the nearest hospital. Blood was staining the interior of Hotohori's car. Chiriko applied pressure to Chichiri's palm as tightly as he could. Chichiri's skin was ghastly white.
"The circle." Chichiri moaned. "Don't break the circle."
When they arrived, Nuriko jumped out of the car with the keys, ran over to Chiriko's door, and scooped up Chichiri.
He gasped as he saw all of the blood. "God, I've never seen anything like that." He ran into the Emergency Room carrying Chichiri. Chiriko was right behind him, after locking up the car.
The nurse on duty looked up.
"What seems to be the trouble?" She froze and stared at the blood running down Nuriko's torn shirt. "Oh my. Come this way, dear." She led them down to a room.
Nuriko lay Chichiri flat on the bed, and held his right arm up high to try to stop the bleeding. Chiriko was pale himself, as he looked at Chichiri.
The doctor hurried in. "What seems to be the problem?" He looked at the three of them. Chichiri was the only one who didn't have blood all over, because his arm had been held by Chiriko.
"A thief stabbed through his palm with a sharp knife," Nuriko said. "We tried applying pressure to it and bandaged it, but it won't stop."
The doctor nodded slowly. He stuck his head out of the room. "Nurse, get me to medical tools! NOW!" He walked over to Chichiri and touched his forehead. The kid was cold and shaking.
"Tasuki." he moaned. "I want Tasuki."
"Chiriko, stay with him. I'd better call Hotohori." Nuriko looked stricken. He thought this was all his fault; he'd insisted that Chichiri would be fine with him. And now Chichiri looked.dead.
Nuriko walked down to the nurses' station. "I need to call his family," he said. The kindly nurse showed him to a room where a phone was located.
Nuriko slowly dialed Hotohori's number. The phone rang twice.
"Moshimoshi," Hotohori said.
"Hotohori?" whispered Nuriko in a stricken voice.
"Nuriko? What's wrong?" Hotohori suddenly had a sinking feeling.
Nuriko said faintly, "Ashikarazu, Hotohori." He started to cry.
"Zentai, Nuriko!" Hotohori really didn't have a good feeling now, because Nuriko was crying.
"It's Chichiri." Nuriko sobbed. "We were leaving and Soi."
"Is he."
"No, but he's hurt badly. His hand won't stop bleeding. And it stained your car."
"I'll be right there." Hotohori hung up and ordered his limousine readied.
Nuriko hung the phone up and walked back down to the room. He was too scared to tell Tasuki what had happened without Hotohori there.
The doctor was stitching up Chichiri's right palm. He had opened his eyes. Chiriko was talking to him, asking him questions. Nuriko sat down in the chair next to Chiriko.
The doctor saw the stricken look on Nuriko's face. "He'll live," he assured them. "But it was a bad cut that sliced through a vein. It'll take a while for it to heal." He tied off the stitches and washed his hands.
Hotohori burst into the room. "Is he all right?"
The doctor blinked at seeing the young lord. "Don't worry, he'll be fine in a day or two." He wrapped gauze around stitches and used medical tape on it.
Hotohori nodded slowly. He saw the expression on Nuriko's face. Blood was all over his face and clothes.
"Can we take him home now?" Hotohori asked softly.
The doctor nodded. "Let him rest for about two hours." He stood up. "He's lucky you got him here so fast," he said, looking at Nuriko and Chiriko. He then walked out of the room.
"I'm so sorry, Hotohori," said Nuriko. "I did my best."
"We both did," Chiriko said. "Soi came out of nowhere. Chichiri's the one who fought her off."
"We were trapped in a web of some kind," Nuriko explained. "Not even Chichiri sensed it."
"I see," Hotohori said gently. "We have four hours until the concert. I suggest we take Chichiri home and let him rest. We can also bring in his things. Then, we'll talk to Tasuki." He could sense there was something they weren't saying, by the strange looks they kept giving Chichiri.
"I feel weak, no da," Chichiri said. He sat up and fell to one side. Hotohori caught him and picked him up gently.
He looked at Nuriko, who had a trace of envy on his face. "I would've let you carry him, Nuriko, but the blood."
Nuriko nodded and led the way to the car.
Hotohori gaped when he saw the blood in the backseat. "Lets move all of Chichiri's things into my limousine," he said. "That would just freak Tasuki out more."
Chiriko and Nuriko began loading the boxes into the limo with the driver's help. They then climbed into the car as the driver held the door open. Chiriko still held the gleaming staff in his hands.
The driver then closed the door and took his seat up front. "Where to, my lord?"
"Genroe's apartment building," Hotohori responded. Chichiri had fallen asleep, sitting next to Hotohori. He looked very white.
The driver sped off. The distance was, thankfully, less than ten blocks away. He made it there in no time.
"Nuriko, hand Chichiri to me when I get out," said Hotohori, as the driver opened the door for them.
Nuriko did so quietly. Chiriko followed them upstairs, being silent for once. Both of them were carrying boxes again, along with the driver, and Chiriko carried the staff as well. Nuriko carried five boxes at once.
By the time they got to Tasuki and Chichiri's apartment, the driver had carried most of the boxes upstairs. They sat in the hallway in front of the door.
Hotohori looked at the sleeping boy in his arms.
Tasuki was going to be so pissed, thought Nuriko. He braced himself as Chiriko rang the doorbell.
Nuriko stood in front of Hotohori as the door opened.
"Come on in," Tasuki said, and froze. "Nuriko." He gasped at the blood all over Nuriko's torn shirt. Chiriko had blood all over him as well and held a golden staff. "What happened?"
Hotohori stepped forward, holding Chichiri carefully.
"Chichiri!" Tasuki cried. His clothes and hair looked great in Tasuki's mind, but he was more focused on how pale Chichiri was. Chichiri opened his eyes for a few moments, and then sank back into sleep.
"Tasuki." he whispered.
Tasuki took Chichiri in his arms. He carried him tenderly into the bedroom and placed him on the bed. He covered him gently with the blankets, because Chichiri was ice-cold to the touch. He touched the bandaged hand gently and then he stormed back into the main room.
The others had dragged in most of the boxes when he got back.
"How in the Hell did that happen?" Tasuki hissed angrily, gesturing towards the bedroom.
"He'll be better in a few hours, Tasuki." Hotohori looked at him compassionately. "I do not know the whole story, myself." He looked at Nuriko and Chiriko. "Perhaps you could explain it now, please?"
"Hai," Nuriko sighed.
He and Chiriko told the story- how everything had been fine up until they went to the hairdresser's; how Chichiri had sensed something possibly, but had insisted it was nothing; how Soi had trapped them in the parking lot; and how Chichiri had been the one to drive her off. And what the doctor had said.
"I'm telling you, something about Chichiri changed," Nuriko said for the third time. "He sounded and looked older. And after she left, he turned to us and said, 'I thought you were dead..' You wanna tell me where that came from?"
"There was something about him.That Chichiri said that the Chichiri we know '.possesses his soul but not his memories. His talents and Suzaku are with him.' " Chiriko said earnestly. "That what he said exactly."
Hotohori looked thoughtful. "Anything else?"
"He mentioned the not breaking the circle again," Nuriko said. "I'm so sorry, Tasuki." He looked downcast.
Tasuki sighed. "It's not your fault. But I can't wait to get my hands on that bitch."
"He'll still be able to go the concert," Hotohori reassured him. "And with all of us there, there's no way Soi or Nakago could interfere."
Tasuki nodded. "I just. I just love him so damn much. It hurts to see him like that."
"I understand," Nuriko said. "I've got to get home to change my clothes and take a shower. I can't go to the concert like this."
"I've got to go catch the bus," Chiriko announced. He walked over to Tasuki and handed the staff to him. "This is the staff that appeared when Chichiri changed. See you tomorrow." He left the apartment.
Hotohori looked at Nuriko. Now he was the one who seemed frail and lost. Nuriko's eyes were sad as he saw Chichiri's sleeping form on the bed.
Nuriko reached into his pocket and pulled out Hotohori's credit card and keys. He handed them to Hotohori. "Here," he said numbly. "I'll see you guys in a few hours." He walked to the door and walked out. Nuriko's face was still ashen.
"See you tonight, Tasuki," Hotohori said. He walked after Nuriko quickly.
Tasuki walked back into the bedroom. He set the alarm clock to go off in two hours, and then got into bed with Chichiri, who immediately curled up to him. He lay there, holding Chichiri tightly until he fell asleep.
1 Nuriko's Apartment
Nuriko opened the door to his apartment. He walked inside, and collapsed to the ground, leaning against the wall. He sobbed against his hands. God, Chichiri could have died because of me, he shouted at himself.
Hotohori heard anguished sobs coming from Nuriko's apartment. The door was wide open, so he walked inside. He found Nuriko huddled against the wall. He walked over and gently placed a hand on Nuriko's shoulder.
Nuriko looked up in surprise. He flushed when he saw Hotohori looking at him in concern. Tears were still running down his beautiful face.
Hotohori gently wiped them away. "Are you ok, Nuriko?"
"Yes.no," admitted Nuriko. He looked downcast.
Hotohori had never seen Nuriko so sad. "What's wrong?" He knelt on the floor next to Nuriko.
"I failed him. I failed Chichiri. and I failed you," Nuriko wept. "I wasn't able to protect him."
Hotohori embraced Nuriko. If he saw the flush on the other boy's face, he gave no sign. "Nuriko, I'm sure you tried your best. You always do."
Nuriko nodded slowly. "I'm just so scared." He looked into Hotohori's beautiful eyes. "And I finally realized something. I wouldn't mind dying, if it kept them alive."
Hotohori blinked in surprise. "Strange, but I feel that way too."
They smiled at each other. But they made no move to separate.
Hotohori felt strange, as he looked down at Nuriko. Even with blood on him, Nuriko was still beautiful to him Hotohori admitted in his heart.
Nuriko looked at Hotohori. As always, his beauty, both outside and inside, made Nuriko fill with longing. He wanted to brush the hair out of Hotohori's eyes. But Hotohori had never looked at him that way. That's why Nuriko was surprised when Hotohori's gentle lips touched his soft and sweetly.
Magic soared between them. My god, Hotohori thought. Is this what Tasuki and Chichiri feel when they kiss? The kiss deepened as Nuriko's long hidden feelings surged forth, surprising Hotohori, as he began to respond.
"Ahem." coughed Mitsukake, as he, Tamahome, Miaka, and Yui stood there.
Nuriko and Hotohori broke apart. Both looked highly embarrassed. They stood up and looked at the others.
Hotohori gave Nuriko a significant look that said, we'll talk about this later.
Nuriko nodded. "How went your search for the book?" he asked Tamahome.
Tamahome shook his head. "No luck."
"We were on our way to say hello to Chichiri and Tasuki," Miaka said.
Hotohori nodded. "I need to go home and get ready for the concert tonight." He licked his lips and vaguely waved goodbye to the others as he walked out.
After Hotohori left, Nuriko looked at the others with a flash of worry on his face. That's when they got a good look at his bloody clothes.
Yui and Miaka screamed.
Nuriko stared at them. "What's wrong?" he asked.
Mitsukake stepped forward. "Where are you hurt, Nuriko?"
Tamahome was pale.
"No, I'm not hurt," Nuriko said, remembering the blood. "Tasuki and Chichiri both are, but Chichiri got it worse." He bit his lower lip. "This blood is Chichiri's. Mitsukake, please do what you can for them. I'm going to take a shower and then head upstairs. Oh, yeah, you're all invited to the concert," Nuriko said, as he headed to the bathroom. "The invitations are upstairs, with Tasuki."
The others looked at each other, and then tore out of the apartment and up the stairs to Tasuki's apartment. The door was locked and nobody answered. So Tamahome did what he felt was the only acceptable thing to do.
He broke down the door.
Tasuki was startled awake. He grabbed his tessen and ran into the living room, shouting, "Lekka Shien!!"
Tamahome barely dodged the flames. "Watch it, Tasuki!"
"Gomen, Tamahome," Tasuki said. "It has been a hard day." Tamahome looked at him closely and saw the stitches on Tasuki's forehead.
Mitsukake stepped forward and touched the wound gently. After a few moments, it healed over. Tasuki tried to move away, but it was too late.
He sighed, then ran back into the bedroom. "Mitsukake, come quickly," called Tasuki. All of them followed Tasuki. And all of them looked horrified when they saw how pale Chichiri was. His skin was naturally pale, but now looked pure white.
Mitsukake touched Chichiri's forehead and focused. It took over three minutes for there to be any noticeable change in Chichiri's coloring. The paleness faded away, and Chichiri opened his eyes. Mitsukake looked exhausted.
"Tasuki, no da," Chichiri said happily. He sat up, and tried to embrace his love. He winced as he moved his right hand.
Tasuki hugged Chichiri since Chichiri couldn't hug him. He looked relieved. "Thank you, Mitsukake," whispered Tasuki with tears running down his face.
"Hey, the concert's still on tonight, isn't it, Tasuki?" asked Tamahome.
"Yes." Tasuki was holding Chichiri close. "Did I tell you yet, Chichiri, that I love your haircut?"
Chichiri beamed. "Thanks, Tasuki. Nuriko said he'd crack your skull if you said you didn't, no da."
Tasuki laughed, as did Tamahome and the others. "He could try." His grin told them all what he thought of that.
Miaka was looking around the room. She gasped as she saw the staff.
"That staff. I've seen it somewhere before," she whispered. But she didn't say a word to the others. Tasuki and Chichiri were talking to each other.
Tamahome looked at Miaka. "Are you ok?"
"Hai. Just excited about the concert. Hotohori got us great seats," she said.
Yui beamed. "And we'll finally see if Tasuki is as good a singer as he brags."
Tasuki scowled at Yui. "Just you wait." He looked back at Chichiri. "Do you remember what happened?"
"No, no da," Chichiri said quickly.
Too quickly, in Tasuki's opinion. He hid a frown, and decided to talk to Chichiri about it later.
1.1 To be continued.
