Eternity Knot

Prologue

By Sakata Ri Houjun

Warning: Some spoilers as the story progresses, but the events have changed somewhat than what's in the series.

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Houjun shifted in the bed until he could see her face more directly. "I can't believe this happened," he breathed softly.

"Still in shock?"

He nodded before leaning in to gently kiss her, his heart pounding furiously. "It just seems so odd... Like it's too good to be true."

"It's real, koi."

His warm chocolate gaze sought hers as he pulled her against him. "Trust me, I believe it."

Kouran cupped Houjun's face in her hands, her thumbs gently tracing over his eyelids when he closed them*. "I'm only sorry our families aren't here to share in our happiness."

Houjun's smile faltered at her words. "Don't. Onegai, don't think about that now." He squeezed his wife hard.

"We can't ignore the pain, Houjun. They would have wanted us to be happy, to start over together."

Houjun shook his head and opened his eyes. "It's not that. I can't help but wonder where I'd be if I had lost you that flood." He felt the tears coming as he thought about that day again and the desperation that pounded in his veins as he fought against the waters to save her and Hikou*.

Kouran noticed his distraught expression and softly ran her lips over both his eyes. "All the more reason to be glad."

"Zutto, Koi." They kissed again, their mouths melding together similar to when their bodies had joined earlier. They were one in every aspect as two people in love could be. Hikou had been there to support the couple in their marring even after the tragedy that took everything away from them. As the only survivors, they had to rely upon one another.

Running his fingers through his wife's hair, Houjun leaned in and whispered into her ear, "I'll never leave you, ever."

She laughed. "Yes, you will."

Houjun pulled away, shock on his face. "No, I won't."

Kouran placed a finger on his lips to stop his protests. "You'll have to. Have you forgotten?" She reached down and gently traced a finger over his right knee.

Unbidden, his gaze was drawn by her touch and he saw his seishi symbol glowing softly in the dim room. He frowned because he knew she was right.

"You must go when the time comes and fulfill your destiny."

Houjun looked back up at Kouran, locking onto her silvery gaze. "You are my destiny."

"I am your wife. You are meant to do great things and to love a girl who will come from some distant land."

"Kouran, I won't love anyone but you." Houjun brought his hand up to stroke his wife's cheek. She leaned into his palm, her eyes misting over.

"You have too much love in your heart, Houjun. Too much to just love me."

"That's so I can love the family you and I will have." He kissed her again, but she drew away.

"No, more than that. You will love some one else."

"Never!" He could feel his heart squeezing in panic at her words. What was she saying?

"You will," she whispered as she brought his hand around to her lips, kissing the palm. He shuddered and pressed her closer to him. Kouran snuggled down into his embrace.

"I think I was supposed to die in that flood, but you prevented that. Now we're together, but one day you will leave and I... She trailed off, unable to bring herself to voice her fears.

"Don't. I will protect you with my powers. I may not know how to use them that well, but with time... Houjun kissed the top of Kouran's head, losing himself for a moment in her scent and warmth.

She whispered something quietly against his skin before softly running her lips over his chest. Houjun shivered and closed his eyes. A groan escaped his throat at her ministrations.

"Nani?"

"I've seen... In my dreams every night since the flood," she whispered when she finally pulled away.

"Who?" Houjun opened one eye, a bit confused.

"A figure made of fire*, who tells me things..."

"Oh?" Houjun was amused and curious. "What sort of things?"

Kouran shrugged in her husband's embrace and looked up to smile at him. "That you were meant for another."

Houjun's face clouded over and he frowned. "You shouldn't place so much trust in your dreams and what they tell you."

"But you should see it, so proud and fierce yet sad and lonely. The eyes I could see, so full of life and energy but empty as if missing a part of its soul."

Houjun shook his head, feeling a bit jealous. "No more talk. You are my wife and the woman I love, the only one I will ever love. I will go fulfill my duty, but return to you where we will live out the rest of our days together."

"That's a beautiful dream, Koi." Kouran sighed as she leaned against Houjun's shoulder.

"It's not a dream, Kouran, but my future and the truth. We've got a new life together and I intend to make the most of it." He brushed back the bangs hanging in his eyes as he leaned back against the pillow.

Kouran didn't say anything, her thoughts wrapped around her dreams. She knew it had to be a premonition of her death. She had been destined to die in that flood, but a twist of fate had prevented it, prevented Houjun from experiencing a lot of pain. But his true destiny could not be avoided and he would meet it soon.

But he was right about their having a new life and until she died, she would make the most of it as well. For a brief moment, the golden eyes of the fiery spirit from her dreams flashed in her mind. She brushed the image aside, determined to forget the vision and focus on the happiness both she and Houjun would share.

Kudasai, she pleaded to the phantom and to Suzaku. Let me have some time with my love. I don't want to let go of this moment so soon. Kudasai...

Sleep overtook her then and she was blessed with no more dreams of the stranger whose golden eyes longed for her husband.

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Some side notes

*Yes, Houjun has both of his eyes and, no, he doesn't use 'no da'.

*The details of that will be covered in a later chapter.

*I wonder who that could be?

And this part took place maybe a couple of weeks after the flood, which means Houjun's got about six years with Kouran before he's 'called'. Review this and let me know if this is a good story idea to run with and I'll put up more chapters.