Rhetoric
Tasuki was about ready to kill Nuriko. This was frustrating, what with Nuriko already being dead and all.
Lately, Nuriko had taken to teasing Tasuki whenever Chichiri was around. Chichiri's surprise visit to Mt. Leikayaku provided an excellent opportunity for this. Tasuki felt that this was unfair, since he was certain that any monk-centric sexual feelings he had (and he'd been having a few) must have been planted in his head by the pretty ghost.
However, Nuriko's spirit denied these allegations, and Koji rather stared when Tasuki accused Nuriko of them, loudly, after dinner that night. The teasing had taken the form of Nuriko impersonating Chichiri during sex, with the funny voice and everything: "Harder no da! Give it to me no da! DAAAAA!!!" In Tasuki's head. All during dinner. All while Chichiri was sitting across from Tasuki. And this was mortifying, because it was stupid and disrespectful and vaguely arousing.
"Um, Genrou, man, buddy, pal....you okay there?" Koji ventured, after Tasuki had been sitting there thinking angry, angry thoughts at Nuriko, amber eyes screwed up in vehemence, normally full mouth set tightly, which all looked to Koji like a man simply sitting around feeling sick. 'Cept Genrou never got sick.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." Tasuki finally responded after Koji asked him a few more times.
"Are you sure? Belly hurt? Headache? The sake shitz?"
"Dude--! Yeah, I'm fine! Fine!"
"You look ill, man."
"Mm, well, it's just that since Chichiri's been crashing here I've been remembering all this stuff, y'know, from when the other seishi were still around, and it all just--won't fucking-- GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!" This last part was more of a command to Nuriko than an explanation to Koji, but Koji was used to Genrou yelling at seemingly inappropriate times. Genrou was a loud guy.
"Y'know, Genrou, I was kinda wondering why you're hanging out here with me, when Chichiri's outside, I mean, the guy's only gonna be here two more days, you should go spend some time with him."
I heartily agree with the cute scarred bandit, Nuriko piped up suddenly.
Quiet you! Tasuki retorted, in his head. If you weren't being so darn...vocal about, um... stuff, I would be outside with my friend, Chichiri, having a friendly conversation, between friends, because he's my friend--
Here Nuriko interrupted Tasuki, Um, Gen-chan, Koji's staring at us.
No he isn't, At this point, Tasuki was disagreeing just to disagree, He's staring at me! He can't see you, 'cause you're a ghost! A perverted and irritating and---and stupid ghost!!!
Whatever, Fang-boy. You better say something to him, you haven't replied to his question, and it's been like, fifteen minutes.
Right. Tasuki turned to answer Koji, "Well, buddy...um.." But he realized he'd forgotten the question. Shit. Nuriko, what did Koji ask me before? Nuriko?
"Uh, Genrou--" Koji was looking kind of uncomfortable at this point.
"Yeah, just hold on a sec, Koji..." Tasuki held up his hand and cocked his head to the side, waiting for Nuriko to remind him what the question was.
"Riiiight. I'm just gonna go now..."
"No, no, no, wait--"
"Genrou!" Koji grasped Tasuki's shoulders. "Go outside. Talk to your friend with the funny voice. Whatever is going on with you, I think it's a bit beyond a simple mountain boy like me."
"But--"
"Good night, buddy. Go outside. Just...just go outside." And Koji grinned at him, and shaking his head, left Tasuki by the fireplace, alone.
Well, not alone really. Inside Tasuki's head, Nuriko clapped little ghost hands twice. Okay, you heard the man! Let's take this show outside!
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Knowing that Nuriko would fill his head with terrible things all night if he didn't, Tasuki went outside. He found Chichiri there, sitting against a tree, watching the sun set into the mountains.
Tasuki noticed that before the beauty of the colors in the sky had given the monk pause, he'd been polishing his wand. Nuriko snickered. Okay, if you don't promise to be quiet I'm going to turn around right now before he notices I'm here.
Alright. Nuriko agreed, and promptly called upon the power of Suzaku and broke a twig, which made Chichiri turn and see them. Oopsies.
I hate you.
Oh, like you could actually sneak up on Chichiri without him sensing your chi, you moron.
Oh, yeah, that's true. Damn, he's good.
Yes he is! Also, he's kind to animals, damn sexy, has a sweet hard body, hair like water--
I hate water. I'm a mountain man.
Yes, I know, honey. You're a mountain man. You can be on top. Nuriko said placatingly. Tasuki growled. Then he ran a hand through his hair. Sighed. Looked over at the young monk. Chichiri was the last Seishi that the sky had seen fit to leave with Tasuki. Chichiri was learned and wise where Tasuki was ignorant and brash, he was an honest monk where Tasuki was a rough bandit. Chichiri was beautiful behind that mask, and infinitely scary to Tasuki, who feared nothing. Tasuki respected him so much, that he felt that he needed Chichiri's permission to begin this, whatever this was going to be. And he knew that he didn't have it. And he knew that he couldn't just take it.
Nuriko, I can't. He's too...I just can't.
Oh come on, Gen-chan! You just need a bit of encouragement, you can do this.
Nuriko, I have never in my life needed to be encouraged to do anything. I set my hair on fire last week because Koji bet me I wouldn't. I've faced gods, the freakshow that were the seirryu seishi, and I'm not afraid to die, but...just...no.
Then he turned and went back inside.
You know, Tasuki...
Yes, Nuriko? Thought Tasuki wearily.
We had that entire conversation while Chichiri watched you mutter to yourself.
Fuck.