Chapter 11: Love and War
Yasha did catch a fever from his near-drowning, but the illness did not last for long. Yamato came back to him almost immediately in the hands of Shaunakaa, but he knew it was not Shaunakaa who had retrieved the sword. Fiercely he tried to put Shukidevi, and his future child, out of his thoughts.
Tenou came to visit him when he was at his worst, feverish and coughing, and gave him a medicine his personal physician had prepared. Yasha drank the noxious liquid with complete trust and thanks. "Is the Ryuu clan still encamped?"
"Seiryuu's there, and his male relatives. The women and others are at the sea palace. But Shuki says there's something different now. Some feeling that she can't pin down." Tenou shook his head slowly. "I fear for her. She's our only direct link to the front. She's well guarded now, but my only other miko is Shaunakaa. You do know that Shaunakaa is Shuki's little sister...? But she's nearly useless. She has the Sight but not the strength to use it for any length of time. So... I am left like you, half blind."
The medicine was running through Yasha's veins, warming them like a fiery liquor, as Tenou turned to leave. "Get better quickly, Yasha-ou. I may have need of you if anything... unexpected occurs."
"Yes, Tentei." Though Yasha's voice was neutral, Tenou's words warmed him almost as much as the medicine.
* * *
Three days later he was recovered fully, and he and Ashura were able to talk freely about Shuki with understanding and love. Laying all else aside for the moment, they began to prepare for their wedding ceremony.
When the great day dawned, Yasha was smiling despite himself as Tenou's own servants bathed and dressed him, adorning him with decorations he was wholly unused to. His ears had never been pierced, for his native village had not observed this custom-- but they were pierced now in the traditional Vedic manner, and weighted down with heavy gold. A crown befitting his status as a king was placed upon his head, and a black dhoti with a gold border wrapped about him, leaving his broad bare chest to be ornamented with the sacred thread, as well as more gold. Even his eyepatch was replaced with one of black and gold silk. All these things were gifts from Tenou, who had invested more time, thought and money into this union than was wise. But despite the ornaments, Yamato stayed at Yasha's side. The noble sword deserved the honor of being present at this ceremony.
Tenou had chosen certain of the devidasis-- temple girls-- to prepare Ashura for the marriage rite, picking the eldest pair from both temples in the Peacock Garden. Just as Yasha was bathed and dressed by many hands, so was Ashura. The devidasis, reassured by Tenou and supervised by Kama, were not afraid, and the mood was festive despite some sectarian bickering over the fine details.
Intrigued, hotly pointing out embarrassing details as their subject looked on, and finally categorizing Ashura as more feminine than not, they dressed "her" in a cotton skirt and choli blouse, then overwrapped them with an elaborate sari with beaded fringes and fancy draping. The choli, though sewn by experts, did not fit quite right, and the girls debated stuffing the blouse until a laughing Ashura refused to play along.
Jewelry was added-- all new ornaments, again supplied by Tenou. Ashura gasped in astonishment as a fabulous nose ring was produced as the last gift of all. The devidasis pierced Ashura's nose and installed the lovely ornament. It was in the shape of a golden flower with a blazing red garnet in the center-- the same one Ashura had seen and wanted in the royal storehouses before. Tenou had not forgotten.
All was ready at last. The small procession entered Mahadeva's temple, where brahmanas, Tenou and Narada were there to greet them. Shuki was not present. Ashura's eyes were so bright and filled with joy that Yasha could not stop smiling as they exchanged beautiful garlands of flowers with one another. Touching holy water, they watched together as the priests kindled the sacred fire, and together they offered ghee into the hungry flames. Since Ashura's father was no more, Tenou took Ashura's hand and placed it in Yasha's. More offerings were given to the fire. Then it was time for the Great Pledge. As they stood in the flickering shadows, Mahadeva's likeness towering over them, Yasha held Ashura's trembling hands tightly and warmly, and for those moments it seemed to them that they stood all alone in that temple before the God. When Yasha finally spoke, his eyes never leaving Ashura's, it was not the ritual pledge he had memorized that morning.
"Long ago I made a promise to you, which today I reaffirm with all my heart. I promised to always be there for you. I promised to protect you and to keep you from all harm. I promised not to die, so that you might one day be happy. That day has finally come; but this is still my promise to you."
As Yasha finished speaking, he bowed his head to kiss Ashura's hand, then held it to his breast.
Ashura stood caught by the heart, golden eyes welling over at Yasha's sudden eloquence and his unabashed public display of love. At last Ashura managed a whisper. "I-- I take your hand in mine, and I accept your promise. We will be together forever, as long as we live... and after we die. For if you die, I will die with you in that same hour. Always together, in life and in death. This is my promise, Yasha."
The rest of the ceremony seemed anticlimactic. Ashura was barely aware as they walked four times around the sacred fire, keeping it to their right, offering the rice. Then, the last seven steps before Mahadeva, the same seven steps of the Dance which they had danced together in the forest so many times before.
Afterward they approached Tenou and the brahmanas, touching their feet and receiving the blessings of each. Kama stepped forward last, not waiting for them to approach him, and Ashura blushed scarlet. The Love God's demeanor radiated pure kindness as he lay a hand on each of their bowed heads. "Ashura. You voiced your worst fear to me the day I first met you, for it was heavy on your mind. Your fear was that you would forget your love when you forget this life. But I am the God of Love, and I have the power to make your love immortal. This, then, is my gift to you.
"No matter how many lives you live-- or how few-- no matter what you become, you will always remember your Yasha-- and he, in turn, will always remember you. 'Always together, in life and in death.' Please accept this gift from me."
Ashura sank down to clasp Kama's legs, tears raining down silently on his feet. Yasha knelt and bowed to touch his forehead to the clean-swept floor for a long moment in silent, profound gratitude.
When they finally stood up, supported by Kama's tender, shepherding touch, Tenou's eyes were glowing. "I am so glad of having this chance to see you happy, Ashura. Yasha, do your duty-- protect my sibling forever! Mahadeva shower happiness upon you both."
* * *
As the devidasis and monks cast flower petals over them, a dazed Yasha and Ashura were led by Tenou in procession from the temple; but as they entered the courtyard, Tenou halted suddenly. Shukidevi was running toward them, having to push her way through a small but rapidly growing crowd as she approached. As she reached the Emporer she did not bow, but caught his arm. "Tenou-sama! Shesha has betrayed us! Seiryuu has come to Lower Zenmijou!"
As the shocked Emporer stared at her, Ashura suddenly snapped back to full awareness. The noise of the crowd was too loud. Brahmanas from the other temple were singing and dancing to peacefully protest their Emporer conducting this marriage rite, but some of their common followers were looking more angry than righteous. The crowd was pushing its way into the yard even as Mahadeva's people were trying to close the gates. But Tenou stepped forward, flinging back his cloak to reveal the sword that hung always at his side. Silence fell immediately. The power of Raijin Taishakuten-- and his son-- was not forgotten. "O learned ones!" he said, in a wonderful voice which was not a shout, yet which reached the furthest ears. "Today I have transgressed my dharma for the sake of justice. I have appealed to the God to have mercy on Ashura, who bears the heavy karma of Lord Ashura-ou, and to transfer the effects of that karma to my own person. I shall do penance!"
The reply, an anonymous voice from the crowd, was almost immediate. "You cannot do penance for a sin ongoing! As long as you harbor this demon in your city--"
Tenou cut them off, sternly but without anger. "Ashura is an avatara of the God Mahadeva. Not a demigod, demon, or human. I will not argue with you, my subjects! I leave judgement of my actions to our brahmanas. They will properly determine my penance. Now give way at once and let us pass!"
There was a terrible moment of hesitation. Ashura shrank against Yasha's side, flinching against the palpable hatred in the air. Then the brahmanas began to direct the crowd back. Tenou strode forward without fear, Ashura and Yasha close behind, Shuki at his side, and the masses parted before them.
Once out of the garden, Tenou sent Shuki back to her water mirror and led Yasha and Ashura at a run over walkways rarely used, darting through concealed doors and down narrow spiral staircases. Suddenly they came out on a catwalk to the side of the main vimana grihastha. Below them, dozens of vimanas sat on a huge airstrip. "Yasha-ou!" said Tenou. "Are you still the general you once were?"
"No--!" cried Ashura, suddenly realizing what the Emporer intended, but Yasha ignored the pleas of his beloved. "Whatever skills in warfare I have left are at your command, Tentei."
Tenou spoke quickly then. "Shesha was my Southern Guardian and should have quickly stopped Seiryuu's advance. Now that I cannot trust him, you are the best I have left. You are the God of Death and Righteousness, and also the old Guardian of the North, and I can trust you as I can trust no others these days. Take Jatayu, down there on the left. Go to the field of battle. Use Yamato if necessary. Kill Seiryuu and all who side with him!"
Yasha bowed. "I will do as you command, Tentei."
"Yasha--! Yashaa!!"
"Ashura, you cannot come with me!" Yasha pulled Ashura into a quick strong embrace. "It is your job now to protect Tenou, as I will protect the citizens of Lower Zenmijou. I would expect Seiryuu to have a coordinated assault both here and on the ground. You must draw would-be assassins out into the open, if you can. Your brother, and this city, may be in greater danger than we know. Be strong! Protect the Emporer!"
Ashura nodded wordlessly, touch lingering for a moment on Yasha's face before the mighty warrior god turned away, running down to meet Jatayu at his aircraft.
Tenou and Ashura watched the vimana lift off. The Emporer's arms wrapped tight around his sibling. "He will be all right!" Tenou said firmly.
"Yasha is blind in one eye because of me," Ashura said dully. "He is weaker in battle than he once was."
"Ah! But generals give strategic orders. He may not have much fighting to do himself."
"I know Yasha," said Ashura with a headshake. "Where there is fighting, he will be in the middle of it!"
When the vimana was out of sight, Tenou and Ashura walked back up the steps hand in hand. It was drawing near evening; the shadows were longer as the sun sank behind clouds and its light, reflecting through the glass honeycombs surrounding the city, was refracted into a thousand dimming colors.
"This would have to happen on the day you finally wed," Tenou said sadly. "I had so much nice food prepared for you, and other gifts, too. And a special copy of Kama's book as well, to encourage your Yasha who is so fearful to take your body as he truly desires. But... Yasha should be back soon. Seiryuu is not so much of a threat."
Ashura stopped short, visibly agitated. "Please do not think me stupid, brother. This did not happen today by accident. It is Yasha and I that are the cause of all these troubles. If we do not leave here as soon as it is safe to do so, our presence will cause many more deaths."
The sun was sinking steadily lower. Tenou and Ashura reached the darkest depths of the huge hangar as the lamps were lighting themselves. Tenou, watching carefully all around them, replied at last: "It was a risk I took. I wanted so badly to see you face to face and to know the truth, Ashura. As you have now seen, not everything can be learned from a water mirror. And when I finally saw you, I wanted so badly for you to be happy. And I wanted you and Yasha near me, foolishly thinking that if I kept you close, I would somehow be in more control of my kingdom. Whatever happens now will be a result of my own selfishness."
* * *
They were walking to the Inner Court halls when Ashura halted suddenly, holding up a hand. "Brother, something is not right."
"What is it?"
"Shurato is warning me..."
Tenou reached at once for his sword, but the weapon was only half drawn when dozens of figures descended on them out of the dark. Tenou heard Ashura shout. Then a golden flame that did not burn enveloped them. Their attackers fell back involuntarily. Ashura stood tall before the Emporer, a brilliant light radiating from one outstretched palm. "I dare not use Shurato," the golden figure said in a clear, ringing voice. "But you may use your weapon from inside this shield, brother! Nothing can harm you now!"
"Thank you, Ashura." Tenou drew his blade and touched the flat of it to his own brow for a moment before all Hell broke loose.
A strong attack hit Ashura's shield of fire just as Tenou hurled his Ki outward with everything he had. It did not matter that the sword was not the great ceremonial Vajra, which could never be carried on a belt. The double shockwave would have brought even Yasha to his knees, but Ashura withstood it, standing firmly with both palms extended. As the first line of attackers fell beneath Tenou's initial stroke, the Emporer noted that Ashura's hair was streaming upward, a tangled veil of black-gold fire.
Tenou shouted and slashed again, felling the opposition as though they were straws. Again and again he hurled his wrath from within the Ashuric flames. Then there was no one left to fight. As Ashura let the golden glow die, the extent of the carnage was revealed. Hundreds of bodies, soldiers of all clans, lay slaughtered by the Emporer's sword. Tenou walked among them, shaking his head slowly.
Ashura was trembling violently. "Oh, Tenou, Tenou... It is truly my fault! Wherever I go... Wherever..."
Swiftly Tenou came to Ashura, enfolding his sibling in his arms. "Stop it, Ashura! This is not your fault! They chose to rise up against me, their Emporer! It was I who killed them! Understand?"
Ashura looked up and was astonished at the tears streaming down Tenou's cheeks. "B-- brother...?" Then Ashura gasped, sagging in Tenou's embrace as some other shock registered. "Yasha..."
Thinking Ashura was overwhelmed by the bloodshed, Tenou took another look around. All his personal guards were absent or dead. Then, lone footsteps, stumbling toward them. It was Shaunakaa, breathless and pale. "Tenou! What are you doing here? Are you all right? I felt it in my sleep--"
He drew her to him with one arm, kissing her hair. "I am all right. But I will need both you and Shuki at your water mirrors!"
"Yes."
"Ashura!" said Tenou. "What does Shurato tell you now?"
"Yamato is crying! YASHA! He is hurt! Tenou, I must go, I must go to him!"
Tenou thought furiously. "Who can I trust to take you?"
"I must get to him soon..." Ashura was moaning softly, holding one side.
"Sampati!" Tenou said. "Shaunakaa, find Sampati, Jatayu's brother, immediately! Then go with him, Ashura! I do not fear for your safety now! Go! I will be all right!"
* * *
Yasha was stretched out on the battlefield, cursing his limited range of vision, calling out to Ashura through Yamato with a desperation borne of imminent death. Shesha had betrayed him as well as the Emporer. Tenou's Southern Bushinshou had been in league with the Ryuu clan all along, helping Seiryuu and his clan cross the passes in disguise. It was that which Shuki had not seen-- or had somehow been blocked in seeing.
And it had been Yasha's own faulty vision that had failed to see the foot soldier with the crossbow, and Shesha's knowledge of the range of that faulty vision which had enabled the fatal shot. Now a wicked black bolt was lodged in his entrails. He endured, a haze of red over what sight he had left, only calling to Ashura, calling his beloved to come join him in death.
"YASHAA!" A shadow, a roar like thunder, and Ashura was there suddenly, a wall of golden flame encircling and protecting them. Yasha lay flat on the ground, gasping heavily. All around him the earth was suddenly cracking; tendrils of a strange life rising up like a forest of living bone. Ashura knelt quickly, wrestling him to his knees so that he struggled not to cry out, wrapping both arms around him from behind. "I can save you! I will save you!"
The vinelike tentacles were encircling both of them. Yasha gasped and tore the dart from his gut, holding it like a dagger and intending to use it as such. "Ashura. This wound is mortal! We must keep our promise now!"
"No! There's time! Trust me, Yasha! Trust me now!"
The tendrils were wrapping around Yasha's neck, his face. He felt them pierce his skin, immobilizing him, felt his blood mixing with another, alien blood that both burned like fire and chilled him to the bone. A terror he had never known suddenly overwhelmed him. "Ashura--!"
Ashura, too, was encased in the quickly forming chrysalis. "Do not be afraid, Yasha." The low voice by his ear was calmer now, almost serene. "Let my blood be your blood! Let my blood save you!"
A tentacle briefly explored Yasha's empty eye socket. The wound in his gut throbbed with pain as it was entered next. Ashura's arms were tight around him. They felt like tree roots, as though they were somehow growing to him. Then he realized that they actually were, that he and Ashura were somehow being physically melded together. He thought he heard, "Don't be afraid!" one more time before darkness took him and he surrendered himself to the echoes of that alien heartbeat.
* * *
A rush of Yasha's blood warmed and pleasured Ashura's vitals as their bodies merged together in an eerie embrace intimate beyond even Kama's wildest fantasies, an intricate tangle of conjoined flesh growing ever closer. Now they were truly one. Yasha was weak. Ashura strengthened him. Yasha needed to rest. His body-- Ashura's body-- sank slowly into deep relaxation. "Sleep now, Yasha," Ashura whispered. "Heal yourself. I will keep you safe."
The battle outside was no longer of any significance. The kekkai Ashura had called up could not be broken. Ashura smiled languidly as Kartikkeya rushed by, leading a furious charge. It was not Ashura's concern now. Not even Tenou was Ashura's concern. Only Yasha... Ashura's beautiful head rested silently against Yasha's; the golden eyes drifted nearly closed as the kekkai continued to settle in around their impossible form, and Ashura settled in for the long wait.
Yasha did catch a fever from his near-drowning, but the illness did not last for long. Yamato came back to him almost immediately in the hands of Shaunakaa, but he knew it was not Shaunakaa who had retrieved the sword. Fiercely he tried to put Shukidevi, and his future child, out of his thoughts.
Tenou came to visit him when he was at his worst, feverish and coughing, and gave him a medicine his personal physician had prepared. Yasha drank the noxious liquid with complete trust and thanks. "Is the Ryuu clan still encamped?"
"Seiryuu's there, and his male relatives. The women and others are at the sea palace. But Shuki says there's something different now. Some feeling that she can't pin down." Tenou shook his head slowly. "I fear for her. She's our only direct link to the front. She's well guarded now, but my only other miko is Shaunakaa. You do know that Shaunakaa is Shuki's little sister...? But she's nearly useless. She has the Sight but not the strength to use it for any length of time. So... I am left like you, half blind."
The medicine was running through Yasha's veins, warming them like a fiery liquor, as Tenou turned to leave. "Get better quickly, Yasha-ou. I may have need of you if anything... unexpected occurs."
"Yes, Tentei." Though Yasha's voice was neutral, Tenou's words warmed him almost as much as the medicine.
* * *
Three days later he was recovered fully, and he and Ashura were able to talk freely about Shuki with understanding and love. Laying all else aside for the moment, they began to prepare for their wedding ceremony.
When the great day dawned, Yasha was smiling despite himself as Tenou's own servants bathed and dressed him, adorning him with decorations he was wholly unused to. His ears had never been pierced, for his native village had not observed this custom-- but they were pierced now in the traditional Vedic manner, and weighted down with heavy gold. A crown befitting his status as a king was placed upon his head, and a black dhoti with a gold border wrapped about him, leaving his broad bare chest to be ornamented with the sacred thread, as well as more gold. Even his eyepatch was replaced with one of black and gold silk. All these things were gifts from Tenou, who had invested more time, thought and money into this union than was wise. But despite the ornaments, Yamato stayed at Yasha's side. The noble sword deserved the honor of being present at this ceremony.
Tenou had chosen certain of the devidasis-- temple girls-- to prepare Ashura for the marriage rite, picking the eldest pair from both temples in the Peacock Garden. Just as Yasha was bathed and dressed by many hands, so was Ashura. The devidasis, reassured by Tenou and supervised by Kama, were not afraid, and the mood was festive despite some sectarian bickering over the fine details.
Intrigued, hotly pointing out embarrassing details as their subject looked on, and finally categorizing Ashura as more feminine than not, they dressed "her" in a cotton skirt and choli blouse, then overwrapped them with an elaborate sari with beaded fringes and fancy draping. The choli, though sewn by experts, did not fit quite right, and the girls debated stuffing the blouse until a laughing Ashura refused to play along.
Jewelry was added-- all new ornaments, again supplied by Tenou. Ashura gasped in astonishment as a fabulous nose ring was produced as the last gift of all. The devidasis pierced Ashura's nose and installed the lovely ornament. It was in the shape of a golden flower with a blazing red garnet in the center-- the same one Ashura had seen and wanted in the royal storehouses before. Tenou had not forgotten.
All was ready at last. The small procession entered Mahadeva's temple, where brahmanas, Tenou and Narada were there to greet them. Shuki was not present. Ashura's eyes were so bright and filled with joy that Yasha could not stop smiling as they exchanged beautiful garlands of flowers with one another. Touching holy water, they watched together as the priests kindled the sacred fire, and together they offered ghee into the hungry flames. Since Ashura's father was no more, Tenou took Ashura's hand and placed it in Yasha's. More offerings were given to the fire. Then it was time for the Great Pledge. As they stood in the flickering shadows, Mahadeva's likeness towering over them, Yasha held Ashura's trembling hands tightly and warmly, and for those moments it seemed to them that they stood all alone in that temple before the God. When Yasha finally spoke, his eyes never leaving Ashura's, it was not the ritual pledge he had memorized that morning.
"Long ago I made a promise to you, which today I reaffirm with all my heart. I promised to always be there for you. I promised to protect you and to keep you from all harm. I promised not to die, so that you might one day be happy. That day has finally come; but this is still my promise to you."
As Yasha finished speaking, he bowed his head to kiss Ashura's hand, then held it to his breast.
Ashura stood caught by the heart, golden eyes welling over at Yasha's sudden eloquence and his unabashed public display of love. At last Ashura managed a whisper. "I-- I take your hand in mine, and I accept your promise. We will be together forever, as long as we live... and after we die. For if you die, I will die with you in that same hour. Always together, in life and in death. This is my promise, Yasha."
The rest of the ceremony seemed anticlimactic. Ashura was barely aware as they walked four times around the sacred fire, keeping it to their right, offering the rice. Then, the last seven steps before Mahadeva, the same seven steps of the Dance which they had danced together in the forest so many times before.
Afterward they approached Tenou and the brahmanas, touching their feet and receiving the blessings of each. Kama stepped forward last, not waiting for them to approach him, and Ashura blushed scarlet. The Love God's demeanor radiated pure kindness as he lay a hand on each of their bowed heads. "Ashura. You voiced your worst fear to me the day I first met you, for it was heavy on your mind. Your fear was that you would forget your love when you forget this life. But I am the God of Love, and I have the power to make your love immortal. This, then, is my gift to you.
"No matter how many lives you live-- or how few-- no matter what you become, you will always remember your Yasha-- and he, in turn, will always remember you. 'Always together, in life and in death.' Please accept this gift from me."
Ashura sank down to clasp Kama's legs, tears raining down silently on his feet. Yasha knelt and bowed to touch his forehead to the clean-swept floor for a long moment in silent, profound gratitude.
When they finally stood up, supported by Kama's tender, shepherding touch, Tenou's eyes were glowing. "I am so glad of having this chance to see you happy, Ashura. Yasha, do your duty-- protect my sibling forever! Mahadeva shower happiness upon you both."
* * *
As the devidasis and monks cast flower petals over them, a dazed Yasha and Ashura were led by Tenou in procession from the temple; but as they entered the courtyard, Tenou halted suddenly. Shukidevi was running toward them, having to push her way through a small but rapidly growing crowd as she approached. As she reached the Emporer she did not bow, but caught his arm. "Tenou-sama! Shesha has betrayed us! Seiryuu has come to Lower Zenmijou!"
As the shocked Emporer stared at her, Ashura suddenly snapped back to full awareness. The noise of the crowd was too loud. Brahmanas from the other temple were singing and dancing to peacefully protest their Emporer conducting this marriage rite, but some of their common followers were looking more angry than righteous. The crowd was pushing its way into the yard even as Mahadeva's people were trying to close the gates. But Tenou stepped forward, flinging back his cloak to reveal the sword that hung always at his side. Silence fell immediately. The power of Raijin Taishakuten-- and his son-- was not forgotten. "O learned ones!" he said, in a wonderful voice which was not a shout, yet which reached the furthest ears. "Today I have transgressed my dharma for the sake of justice. I have appealed to the God to have mercy on Ashura, who bears the heavy karma of Lord Ashura-ou, and to transfer the effects of that karma to my own person. I shall do penance!"
The reply, an anonymous voice from the crowd, was almost immediate. "You cannot do penance for a sin ongoing! As long as you harbor this demon in your city--"
Tenou cut them off, sternly but without anger. "Ashura is an avatara of the God Mahadeva. Not a demigod, demon, or human. I will not argue with you, my subjects! I leave judgement of my actions to our brahmanas. They will properly determine my penance. Now give way at once and let us pass!"
There was a terrible moment of hesitation. Ashura shrank against Yasha's side, flinching against the palpable hatred in the air. Then the brahmanas began to direct the crowd back. Tenou strode forward without fear, Ashura and Yasha close behind, Shuki at his side, and the masses parted before them.
Once out of the garden, Tenou sent Shuki back to her water mirror and led Yasha and Ashura at a run over walkways rarely used, darting through concealed doors and down narrow spiral staircases. Suddenly they came out on a catwalk to the side of the main vimana grihastha. Below them, dozens of vimanas sat on a huge airstrip. "Yasha-ou!" said Tenou. "Are you still the general you once were?"
"No--!" cried Ashura, suddenly realizing what the Emporer intended, but Yasha ignored the pleas of his beloved. "Whatever skills in warfare I have left are at your command, Tentei."
Tenou spoke quickly then. "Shesha was my Southern Guardian and should have quickly stopped Seiryuu's advance. Now that I cannot trust him, you are the best I have left. You are the God of Death and Righteousness, and also the old Guardian of the North, and I can trust you as I can trust no others these days. Take Jatayu, down there on the left. Go to the field of battle. Use Yamato if necessary. Kill Seiryuu and all who side with him!"
Yasha bowed. "I will do as you command, Tentei."
"Yasha--! Yashaa!!"
"Ashura, you cannot come with me!" Yasha pulled Ashura into a quick strong embrace. "It is your job now to protect Tenou, as I will protect the citizens of Lower Zenmijou. I would expect Seiryuu to have a coordinated assault both here and on the ground. You must draw would-be assassins out into the open, if you can. Your brother, and this city, may be in greater danger than we know. Be strong! Protect the Emporer!"
Ashura nodded wordlessly, touch lingering for a moment on Yasha's face before the mighty warrior god turned away, running down to meet Jatayu at his aircraft.
Tenou and Ashura watched the vimana lift off. The Emporer's arms wrapped tight around his sibling. "He will be all right!" Tenou said firmly.
"Yasha is blind in one eye because of me," Ashura said dully. "He is weaker in battle than he once was."
"Ah! But generals give strategic orders. He may not have much fighting to do himself."
"I know Yasha," said Ashura with a headshake. "Where there is fighting, he will be in the middle of it!"
When the vimana was out of sight, Tenou and Ashura walked back up the steps hand in hand. It was drawing near evening; the shadows were longer as the sun sank behind clouds and its light, reflecting through the glass honeycombs surrounding the city, was refracted into a thousand dimming colors.
"This would have to happen on the day you finally wed," Tenou said sadly. "I had so much nice food prepared for you, and other gifts, too. And a special copy of Kama's book as well, to encourage your Yasha who is so fearful to take your body as he truly desires. But... Yasha should be back soon. Seiryuu is not so much of a threat."
Ashura stopped short, visibly agitated. "Please do not think me stupid, brother. This did not happen today by accident. It is Yasha and I that are the cause of all these troubles. If we do not leave here as soon as it is safe to do so, our presence will cause many more deaths."
The sun was sinking steadily lower. Tenou and Ashura reached the darkest depths of the huge hangar as the lamps were lighting themselves. Tenou, watching carefully all around them, replied at last: "It was a risk I took. I wanted so badly to see you face to face and to know the truth, Ashura. As you have now seen, not everything can be learned from a water mirror. And when I finally saw you, I wanted so badly for you to be happy. And I wanted you and Yasha near me, foolishly thinking that if I kept you close, I would somehow be in more control of my kingdom. Whatever happens now will be a result of my own selfishness."
* * *
They were walking to the Inner Court halls when Ashura halted suddenly, holding up a hand. "Brother, something is not right."
"What is it?"
"Shurato is warning me..."
Tenou reached at once for his sword, but the weapon was only half drawn when dozens of figures descended on them out of the dark. Tenou heard Ashura shout. Then a golden flame that did not burn enveloped them. Their attackers fell back involuntarily. Ashura stood tall before the Emporer, a brilliant light radiating from one outstretched palm. "I dare not use Shurato," the golden figure said in a clear, ringing voice. "But you may use your weapon from inside this shield, brother! Nothing can harm you now!"
"Thank you, Ashura." Tenou drew his blade and touched the flat of it to his own brow for a moment before all Hell broke loose.
A strong attack hit Ashura's shield of fire just as Tenou hurled his Ki outward with everything he had. It did not matter that the sword was not the great ceremonial Vajra, which could never be carried on a belt. The double shockwave would have brought even Yasha to his knees, but Ashura withstood it, standing firmly with both palms extended. As the first line of attackers fell beneath Tenou's initial stroke, the Emporer noted that Ashura's hair was streaming upward, a tangled veil of black-gold fire.
Tenou shouted and slashed again, felling the opposition as though they were straws. Again and again he hurled his wrath from within the Ashuric flames. Then there was no one left to fight. As Ashura let the golden glow die, the extent of the carnage was revealed. Hundreds of bodies, soldiers of all clans, lay slaughtered by the Emporer's sword. Tenou walked among them, shaking his head slowly.
Ashura was trembling violently. "Oh, Tenou, Tenou... It is truly my fault! Wherever I go... Wherever..."
Swiftly Tenou came to Ashura, enfolding his sibling in his arms. "Stop it, Ashura! This is not your fault! They chose to rise up against me, their Emporer! It was I who killed them! Understand?"
Ashura looked up and was astonished at the tears streaming down Tenou's cheeks. "B-- brother...?" Then Ashura gasped, sagging in Tenou's embrace as some other shock registered. "Yasha..."
Thinking Ashura was overwhelmed by the bloodshed, Tenou took another look around. All his personal guards were absent or dead. Then, lone footsteps, stumbling toward them. It was Shaunakaa, breathless and pale. "Tenou! What are you doing here? Are you all right? I felt it in my sleep--"
He drew her to him with one arm, kissing her hair. "I am all right. But I will need both you and Shuki at your water mirrors!"
"Yes."
"Ashura!" said Tenou. "What does Shurato tell you now?"
"Yamato is crying! YASHA! He is hurt! Tenou, I must go, I must go to him!"
Tenou thought furiously. "Who can I trust to take you?"
"I must get to him soon..." Ashura was moaning softly, holding one side.
"Sampati!" Tenou said. "Shaunakaa, find Sampati, Jatayu's brother, immediately! Then go with him, Ashura! I do not fear for your safety now! Go! I will be all right!"
* * *
Yasha was stretched out on the battlefield, cursing his limited range of vision, calling out to Ashura through Yamato with a desperation borne of imminent death. Shesha had betrayed him as well as the Emporer. Tenou's Southern Bushinshou had been in league with the Ryuu clan all along, helping Seiryuu and his clan cross the passes in disguise. It was that which Shuki had not seen-- or had somehow been blocked in seeing.
And it had been Yasha's own faulty vision that had failed to see the foot soldier with the crossbow, and Shesha's knowledge of the range of that faulty vision which had enabled the fatal shot. Now a wicked black bolt was lodged in his entrails. He endured, a haze of red over what sight he had left, only calling to Ashura, calling his beloved to come join him in death.
"YASHAA!" A shadow, a roar like thunder, and Ashura was there suddenly, a wall of golden flame encircling and protecting them. Yasha lay flat on the ground, gasping heavily. All around him the earth was suddenly cracking; tendrils of a strange life rising up like a forest of living bone. Ashura knelt quickly, wrestling him to his knees so that he struggled not to cry out, wrapping both arms around him from behind. "I can save you! I will save you!"
The vinelike tentacles were encircling both of them. Yasha gasped and tore the dart from his gut, holding it like a dagger and intending to use it as such. "Ashura. This wound is mortal! We must keep our promise now!"
"No! There's time! Trust me, Yasha! Trust me now!"
The tendrils were wrapping around Yasha's neck, his face. He felt them pierce his skin, immobilizing him, felt his blood mixing with another, alien blood that both burned like fire and chilled him to the bone. A terror he had never known suddenly overwhelmed him. "Ashura--!"
Ashura, too, was encased in the quickly forming chrysalis. "Do not be afraid, Yasha." The low voice by his ear was calmer now, almost serene. "Let my blood be your blood! Let my blood save you!"
A tentacle briefly explored Yasha's empty eye socket. The wound in his gut throbbed with pain as it was entered next. Ashura's arms were tight around him. They felt like tree roots, as though they were somehow growing to him. Then he realized that they actually were, that he and Ashura were somehow being physically melded together. He thought he heard, "Don't be afraid!" one more time before darkness took him and he surrendered himself to the echoes of that alien heartbeat.
* * *
A rush of Yasha's blood warmed and pleasured Ashura's vitals as their bodies merged together in an eerie embrace intimate beyond even Kama's wildest fantasies, an intricate tangle of conjoined flesh growing ever closer. Now they were truly one. Yasha was weak. Ashura strengthened him. Yasha needed to rest. His body-- Ashura's body-- sank slowly into deep relaxation. "Sleep now, Yasha," Ashura whispered. "Heal yourself. I will keep you safe."
The battle outside was no longer of any significance. The kekkai Ashura had called up could not be broken. Ashura smiled languidly as Kartikkeya rushed by, leading a furious charge. It was not Ashura's concern now. Not even Tenou was Ashura's concern. Only Yasha... Ashura's beautiful head rested silently against Yasha's; the golden eyes drifted nearly closed as the kekkai continued to settle in around their impossible form, and Ashura settled in for the long wait.