Running Away

Chapter 5

Chichiri walked as quietly into the dark bedroom as he could, not wanting to wake up the other seishi. He winced, inwardly cursing as the floor creaked beneath him.

"Chi-san… that you?"

He heard Tasuki's voice coming out from the darkness. He walked towards the voice, trying to make his way without bumping into anything.

"… I brought your clothes, Tasuki-kun, no da."

He heard a soft rustle, and then he faintly saw a hand reach out from the covers of the bed, reaching towards him. He gripped Tasuki's clothes in his hand and held them out so Tasuki could grab them.

"Thanks."

Chichiri stood there for a couple of minutes, not sure exactly what to do. He soon became uncomfortable, and wondered if he should just make himself at home on the floor.

"I'm not that much of a jerk, Chi-san. I won't make ya' sleep on the floor."

Chichiri smiled despite himself. Sometimes it felt as though Tasuki could read his mind. "Y…you're sure? It's a rather small bed, no da."

There was a short pause as if Tasuki was heavily comtemplating Chichiri's answer. "Look, we've spent enough of our nights outside… you and I, we both deserve a bed for once."

"O-okay… no da." Chichiri walked over to the corner and gently set down his kesa and rosary which he had been holding. He set his boots next to them, not wanting to get any dirt on his kesa.

He walked silently over to the bed, and it took him second to even start to get in. He gently lifted the blanket up and slid his feet down to the bottom of the bed. Then he pulled the covers up tightly around his shoulders, relishing in the warmth. He could hear Tasuki's heavy breathing beside him.

He closed his eyes, watching as complete darkness overtook him. It didn't take him long to get to sleep, but in his mind, the same picture kept coming up…

* * * *

Small rays of sunshine had just started to come into their room. Their bed seemed to be positioned just so, in order to let those rays hit the bed perfectly.

Chichiri awoke in a very… comfy position. He didn't realize where exactly this was at first, all he knew was that he felt two arms holding him tightly. Wanting more of this warmth, he snuggled closer to the body that held him.

He could hear the heavy breathing of the other person, felt it softly in his hair. He smiled, not wanting this to end.

*BAM* "Rise and shine, boys!!! Time to get up!"

Chichiri woke up completely, and fully noticed just exactly where he was.

"T…Tasuki-kun…?"

He felt Tasuki stir, saw him open his eyes, saw him look down at him.

"DAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!" The two must have jumped a mile high. Tasuki pulled the covers around him, sliding back against the wall, while Chichiri landed at the opposite wall.

"C…Chi….Chichiri?"

"Did I… interrupt anything here?" The inn-keeper had a smile on her face as she looked into the room at the two men.

"DA! No… iie… you didn't… no da…"

The lady chuckled to herself before adding, "Um, may I ask where your clothes are, sir?"

Tasuki's eyes became very big as he glanced down. He then remembered that he had never actually put them on last night. I was… I was… I was…

"Well, when you two are ready, we've got breakfast ready downstairs. Okay?" The lady left the room, shutting the door behind her.

The room was deathly quiet, neither seishi doing or saying anything. Tasuki felt like he would suffocate from the atmosphere. "Chi-san… I didn't… I mean…"

"I'm, going down to breakfast, no da!" Chichiri got up and walked quickly to the door, not even bothering to put his kesa on.

Tasuki watched the monk leave the room. He sat there, shivering, but not from the cold.

"This can't be happening, this can't be happening, this can't be happening…"