Chapter Four: Request

Night had fallen, but Yume found early on that she couldn't sleep very long. Thoughts and reflections of the meeting with Taiitskun haunted her relentlessly, and she found herself wishing that she'd never accepted her role as Priestess.

But then... she thought, She said I would have had to go back with no memories of ever being here! I haven't been in this world very long... and even though it seems so much at once, I'd never trade this for anything... I don't ever want to return home now... A wry grin crossed her tired face as she threw back the covers of her fluffy king-sized bed. But I don't even know if I'll come back alive from this ordeal.

Darkness fell over her heart and mind then, and she felt stifled by it. Needing the reassurance of fresh air, she crept from her room and headed silently back towards the gardens.

I wonder how Miaka felt, when she was confronted by such danger... was she afraid? Or did she swallow her fear to keep morale up among her warriors? I'm totally at a loss for what to do... Looking up, she groaned in realization that she'd found herself lost in the labyrinth of Taiitskun's palace, stopping to get her bearings. She was about to turn around when a dark figure pulled away from the surrounding shadows, hovering near a large window. From the silhouette she could make out a tall, wiry frame and long bangs...

Chichiri?

She was afraid to move, for fear of surprising the monk. He gazed with sad eyes out into the starry night, shirtless despite the slight nip of mountain cold. His chin sat upon one hand as he reclined upon the sill, moonlight casting shadows and highlights that caused Yume to gasp in awe. The planes of his chest heaved gently from his soft breathing, strong arms that she once thought delicate and thin, displaying taut muscle beneath soft skin. As she watched -- Chichiri was still oblivious to her presence -- he raised a hand to his face, and to her curiosity pulled something off of it. It was a mask.

Her gaze moved from the magical item back to the seishi's face, and Yume had to cover her mouth to silence her sharp breath intake. He was even more beautiful than before, but tears filled her eyes from the discovery that he only had one eye... his left one was closed forever, covered by a deep scar that ran over the bridge of his nose. She mourned the loss of that eye, mind whirling and wondering how he had gotten it, but she wasn't afraid... no, it didn't scare her one bit... but she was enthralled by the monk's intense, sculpted features. His one eye was chocolate brown, glinting almost red... but she figured it was a trick of the light. He raised his head to meet the southern breeze, inhaling deeply and exposing his long, slender neck. His ponytail fell gently over one shoulder, and Yume wanted to brush those azure strands away...

She took a step forward, unable to keep her distance, and he looked up, blankly staring back at her.

He hadn't sensed her, which he chastised himself for mentally; there had been much on his mind despite his attempts to clear it. But once he'd laid eyes on her he froze, almost choking on air at the sight she made. Changed into a simple robe of shimmering white silk, it hung loosely around her tall, youthful, but clearly adult figure, and he had no choice but to appreciate her beauty. Her hair flowed freely about her shoulders like a halo highlighted in silver by the moon; her eyes were wide, unblinking, but clear as they reflected the same crystal blue of the night sky he'd just been observing. She was breathtaking.

He didn't dare move, frozen in this spell of the moonlight just as she was... neither willing to break it, both wishing to stay there for eternity... but forever is a long time, and Chichiri was never one for patience.

"Yume..." he breathed, wondering distantly if he was dreaming. "What are you doing here?"

"I... I couldn't sleep," she admitted. "I was looking for the garden, but ended up here... and I saw you... and... I..." she trailed off, and the flush in her cheeks was unmistakable.

"Yume... you should rest," he scolded, but there was no anger in his words. "We have a long journey to prepare for, and you need your... strength..."

Neither had realized they had walked the distance separating them; they merely found themselves mere inches apart, but paid it no mind. Their eyes locked, Chichiri placed one hand on her shoulder. She closed her eyes to savor the contact, then opening them to smile up at him. Growing bolder, his other hand wound itself into her hair, pulling her head back as he left a trail of soft kisses down her neck.

Yume's blood sang from a mixture of emotions... but above all was her desire to be nearer to Chichiri... Her lips sought his, placing her hands on his bare chest as they met. His mouth caressed hers lightly at first, then with growing fervor and intensity. It was all she could do to suppress a soft moan, and she pulled back to gently trace her fingers over his scar.

As if suddenly realizing where he was, Chichiri's own hand flew to the marred side of his face. His good eye widened as its gaze revealed his horror and shock.

"Yume... I..." he panted, backing away from her. Then, with a quickly stammered incantation he disappeared, undoubtedly teleporting back to his room. The girl raised a hand outwards as if to reach for him, but instead touched her swollen lips as a tear escaped one eye.

He's afraid of me... she realized, and with a sob, sank down to the floor in defeat.

Morning came all too soon for the Priestess, who hadn't slept a wink since she'd managed to stumble back to her own room. Instead, she had collapsed onto the pillows, sobbing, but half of her didn't understand why.

Why was he so afraid... does he hate me now, for knowing about the mask?

"Yume? Yume, can I come in?" Tasuki's deep voice roused her from her thoughts. She glanced up at her door, shaking from his pounding knocks. Wiping her eyes, she called him in, and as she expected, he was stunned by her appearance, though not in the same manner Chichiri had been the night before.

"Wha--? Yume, you look like you've been through hell! What's wrong? Why're ya crying?"

She couldn't take it anymore, and buried her head inside the crook of the bandit's neck while sobbing her heart out. Tasuki, though confused, wrapped his arms around her, rocking the girl back and forth in order to calm her down.

"Shh... shh... it's gonna be okay, Yume... S'all gonna be okay... now what happened?" he pried gently, once her tears had slowed. She didn't look at him for the longest time, and tears threatened to spill once more. Tasuki, thinking that the whole thing was stress from the day before, pulled her close and stroked her hair before he realized what he was doing.

"Yer going through a rough time, I can see that," he soothed, "Is there anythin' you wanna talk about? Sometimes talkin' makes things better."

A single glance into his golden eyes melted away all of her doubt, giving way to his concerned sincerity. Sniffling, she struggled internally to form the words that would explain last night's confusion... but to no avail. Desperately she looked around the room, and blue eyes fell on her notebook.

"Tasuki... I don't know if I could tell you... but... maybe I can show you. Could you bring me that journal over there?"

"The one you brought with ya?"

She nodded, and he smiled, ruffling her hair as he rose to retrieve the item. "It's a really nice book," he commented with a glance to the cover. "Chiri told me you were a really good artist."

"I try," was the only response she gave, and then she began to draw.

Unlike the passion she had in recreating every detail of Suzaku Seikun, Yume made a simple sketch, an outline of what had occurred between her and Chichiri. She began to feel more at ease around Tasuki, relaying to him small details and explaining all that couldn't be expressed on pencil and paper. He would ask a question here and there, but the rest of the time listened in rapt silence, his mind awhirl at her descriptions of Chichiri's actions.

An hour passed, and finally Yume was done. There on the page was a perfect study of the Suzaku monk, image reflecting the turmoil the girl had herself witnessed, with eye closed and head raised to meet the night air, hair upon his shoulders and shadows playing along his lean frame.

Tasuki stared at the drawing, noting with sadness that Chichiri's expression was identical to ones the bandit had seen many times before, as he stared longingly up at the constellations of their dead friends. Cursing to himself, he wondered why his friend had displayed such passion for Yume, then ran away scared.

Somethin's up. I gotta find out what it is... He raised his gaze up to meet Yume's red-rimmed one, giving her a mournful look.

"I dunno why he did that to ya, Yume-chan," the bandit sighed. "But I'll personally make sure he won't do it again. He has no right to get away with somethin' like that... but what confuses me most is that it's not like him at all."

"What do you mean, Tasuki?"

"Well... I dunno whether or not it's my place to tell ya the whole story--" he paused, taking a breath; "--but what I can say is that Chichiri's had a long, hard life. He still hasn't forgiven himself for something that was never his fault... and lately I think it's starting to affect him. I noticed it more after Miaka left; but he still hasn't opened up to me.

"But, maybe..." Tasuki regarded her thoughtfully. "Maybe he'll open up to you." He picked up the notebook, pointing to the picture. "Now, I dunno what anyone else thinks, but your work is damned good, Priestess."

"It's just a sketch..."

"Yeah," he countered, placing his finger on her lips. "'Just a sketch,' but I can tell from jus' lookin' at it that you care a lot about him. I've never seen someone put so much emotion into their work before. Y'know what, Yume? You remind me a lot of Miaka." His features softened considerably, taking on a look of sorrow. "She loved everyone and everything... the girl had a heart of gold, and she showed it by standing up for all of us, and the idiot even got into a lot of trouble and nearly got herself killed to save us all. She was a baka... but the best friend I'd ever know.

"Yer a lot like her, Yume-chan. I don't know ya very well, but you're just as brave and loving as she was; I can tell. Jus' a gut feelin' I guess, but I've learned to trust it. Comes with hangin' around that damned monk."

The girl giggled, already feeling better. "Thanks Tasuki, I needed that."

"Hey, anytime. Told ya I'd take care of everythin' didn't I? I wasn't lying."

She smiled for the first time that morning, throwing herself into his embrace and placing a quick kiss on his cheek. The bandit instantly blushed, hugging her back tightly.

"If Chiri won't take care of ya, Yume, then I will. I promise."

Unbeknownst to the two, Chichiri stood outside, standing frozen with one fist raised to knock, listening. He felt his face fill with fury at Tasuki's vow...

"If Chiri won't take care of ya, Yume, then I will. I promise."

Glowering at the closed door, the monk turned around and headed back to his room. He couldn't figure out why he was so angry... but knew it annoyed him that the bandit thought he would shirk his duties as Suzaku Seishi and not protect Yume.

He felt hurt... almost betrayed. Chichiri's thoughts returned to the night before, replaying the scene over and over again. He relived the desire... the passion for Yume as he'd kissed her and drew her close.

I was a fool... he gritted his teeth while hiding his face in his hands. I was careless... she saw me without the mask... vulnerable... I swore that no one else would see me like that.

But then, wasn't he just there to apologize to Yume for his actions? To explain why he had acted that way? That he hadn't meant anything by it?

He stopped in his tracks, pulling is mask off to stare at it. What part of it didn't I mean?

"Chichiri-sama!" a chipper voice tore him from the question, and his head shot up just in time to see Nyan-Nyan appear in midair before him. "Chichiri-sama! Message from Taiitskun!"

"What is it, na no da?" he asked, putting a smile on his face as to not disturb the childlike spirit.

She floated down to the floor, running over to give him a big hug. "Taiitskun says you and the others must stay here for a few days! 'Must prepare!' she said! And she said Chichiri-sama must teach Priestess-sama how to fight! Hehehe!"

The monk visibly paled, alarming the Nyan-Nyan. "Chichiri-sama? Are you sick? Fix! Fix!"

He gulped, then shook his head. "No... I'm fine Nyan... but why does she want me to do it? Can't Tasuki teach her better fighting skills?"

"Already talked to Tasuki-sama, silly Chichiri-sama!" she giggled. "But Chichiri-sama has to teach Priestess-sama chi powers! The Priestess has lots of chi and that's good!"

"I see..." Chichiri frowned, wondering what the oracle was up to. This time the spirit did not notice his reaction, merely gushed and babbled like a brook about how wonderful Taiitskun was.

"Hey! Chichiri-sama? Can Nyan-Nyan help train the Priestess too?" She gave him the most adorable set of puppy dog eyes, floating up into his face. The monk had no choice but to smile at her enthusiasm, poking her nose playfully.

"Of course you can, no da. We'll have fun, ne? Just like when I trained here, no da."

"YAI!!!! Nyan-Nyan gets to train with Chichiri-sama again!" she floated away, performing somersaults and cartwheels in a happy daze. Chichiri watched her with amusement, but his supposed mirth was hollow.

"Taiitskun... what have you planned?" he wondered with a groan.

Yume changed into her clothes, recently brought by Nyan-Nyan with a message to wait for an escort to the gardens; she was to begin lessons in controlling her abilities today.

"Priestess-sama has to learn basics," the girl had pointed out, "but after that you're on your own! Taiitskun can only teach so much!"

And so, with yesterday's leggings and a simple blue shirt, she slipped into a comfortable pair of black shoes and stood outside her door to wait. Just as she leaned back against the wall with arms crossed, Tasuki stepped from around the corner, wearing his usual fanged grin. He wore a different outfit than before; a white tunic shirt hidden beneath a navy blue coat lined with teal fabric, cream colored pants and tawny boots. The earrings and prayer beads around his neck were identical, as was the holster for his metal fan.

"Oi, Yume!" he greeted, swaggering over to her. "You ready to go?"

"No," she teased, sticking her tongue out at him. "I'm waiting for my proper escort."

He feigned shock, placing a hand dramatically over his heart for emphasis. "Yer words wound me, dearest Yume-chan, my love! To be denied the righteous title of proper escort! Such chilling insults! Yer a fiend, girl! A fiend!"

The girl promptly raised an eyebrow. "Oh, a fiend am I? But perhaps 'tis better to be fiend than to have the visage of a wolf, with fire for hair!"

He didn't back down, cornering her against the wall. "Ah, but ya see, a girl like you should know not to play with fire. You could get hurt..."

Yume couldn't stand it; she collapsed into a fit of giggles, face red from having to hold back the laughter. The bandit joined her shortly, playfully bopping her shoulder with his fist. "My accent that funny, eh?"

She nodded. "When you talk like that, it is! Now, shouldn't we be going?"

"I thought you were waiting for your escort?"

Yume smacked him, causing him to grin again. He held out his arm, and she took it graciously.

The monk waited impatiently on the balcony above the gardens for Tasuki and Yume to arrive, still wondering why he was being dragged into this 'training.' Even Nyan-Nyan could teach the Priestess the most basic of spells and chi techniques, but instead he was to tutor her.

Sighing, he resigned himself to staring up at the sky and pretending he could see his constellation until they arrived. He had a feeling that it was going to be a very long day.

*****

Notes: I simply couldn't resist teasing Tasuki like that, but I hope I kept him in character. I know I'm adding in a lot of mythology (i.e. the last chapter), but it'll all be explained in full very soon in an interlude (if not in a future chapter). Let me know what you think so far!