Fushigi Akugi:
Chapter 12: Together Always and Forever: Here We Go Again!
"I need you to kill me."
Those words bounced around in Tasuki's head as he laid back on his bed. Houjun had gone to talk to Samantha before sending her home and now the bandit didn't know what to do. In his heart, he didn't think he could bring himself to kill Houjun. But the teen seemed so sure.
"I just don't know what ta do..."
"It's understandable." He jumped when Serge spoke, have been so lost in thought, he hadn't noticed the guardian enter the room. "You don't want to hurt him. In all honesty, it's not fair." He took a seat beside the bandit and sighed. "Still, it may be the only way to stop this senseless cycle..."
"What are you talkin' about?" he asked, sitting up.
"This isn't the first time the Dove of Suzaku's been called upon. It's happened three times already, but now...this might be the answer."
"Whoa, wait a minute, this has happened before? I never heard about it."
"Because no one remembers." Serge turned slightly, meeting the bandit's gaze. "In the begining, Tasuki, there was one being with great power and love. He created the earth and everything on it. Hundreds of years passed and he realized that man kind depended on him too much. He decided that he would step back and let them live their lives, but there were several...how to put this...factors that he couldn't leave unchecked. They were Fate, Time, and Destiny. He selected three beings to govern these factors and then asked the two governing Time and Destiny to seek out four animals that lived in his garden to govern the four main elements, which are Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire. Do you understand?"
"The four gods, right?" Serge nodded. "What's this got ta do with the Dove?"
"I'm getting to that. As you know, not everyone is good. At the time the 'four gods', as they're called, came to be, a dark and powerful being watched the world as well. He hated the one who had created the earth and who loved the people there. He wanted to destroy everything they had worked so hard to nurture. Fortunatly, the Guardian of Fate discovered what was planned for the earth and the seven guardian gathered and discussed methods of protecting the people. It was decided that the four beast gods should choose seven humans and a girls from another world that they could call upon to restore peace to the world if the evil appeared. It was also decided at this time that one warrior should act as a fail safe in the event that the evil became too great to be contained. Someone who would be sacrificed to bring the end of the world, destoying the evil in the process. Unfortunatly, when the first Dove had to do so, he was alone. Three times that happened. Three times the evil escaped. The seven guardians gathered once again to discuss this and the guardian of Fire brought forth his son, Suzaku. In doing so, he resigned his position. Suzaku was appalled to learn of the Dove's fate and realized why the plan had failed."
"Why?" Tasuki asked, leaning forward a bit.
"Because each time the Dove had been sacrificed, he had been alone. He knew of love, but had never attained it. Because of his fate, the first guardian of fire had thought it pointless to create a mate for him. Suzaku made a firm decsion then and looked out over the world for an answer. He found it when he discovered a family that had been blessed with five daughters, but they prayed daily for a son. He granted their wish, Tasuki."
Tasuki thought about this for a few minutes. It seemed a bit unreal to be discussing his creation.
"He created me? That sounds weird..."
"Understandable. Still, I think he made a good choice. In the past, the Dove never thought clearly for himself. But now, I think he knows what to do." Serge rose and rested a hand on the bandit's shoulder.
"Somethin' I don't get, though," Tasuki said, looking up at him. "Why are there two worlds? An' why did that guy step back?"
"Hmm..well, He stepped back to watch over everything. He didn't want to get in the way. Still, He comes to the people when they ask for His help. As for their being two worlds, there aren't." He smiled at Tasuki's confused face and continued. "There are an infinate number of worlds, Tasuki. Each one represents a possibility. Every time someone has a choice to make, a new world forms in which they made a different choice."
Tasuki opened his mouth and then closed it again, not sure of what to say. Finally he settled for a simple "Damn..."
"I have to go now, Tasuki. Please, try to do as Houjun asks. This is the way he's chosen to deal with it, but he seems to have a plan. Trust him." He squeezed the mortal's shoulder, suddenly feeling the wieght of his immortality, and turned away, leaving the room swiftly. He wondered if it had been a good idea to tell Tasuki all that he had, but reasoned that Houjun knew all this already. He had nearly returned to the portal that would take him back to Eden when he felt something. He stopped and looked up at the sky with a soft sigh. "Hikou..."
Kouji ran accross the battlefield towards where he had seen Yousui and Hikou. He felt dread welling up in his heart and pushed himself faster. Just as they came into veiw, he saw Yousui fall to the ground, Hikou standing with a hand outstreached, breathing heavily from the exertion of fighting. Kouji rushed to his side, at first relieved, but then panicked. The water mage looked toward him, amber eyes dim, before he slumped to the ground limply. He looked deathly pale as the bandit dropped beside him, gently rolling him onto his back. His jade eyes widened in horror as his saw several of Yousui's thread-like wires peircing Hikou's chest.
"No..." he tried to pulled one of them out, the sharp strand cutting his hand.
"Don't...you'll hurt...yourself..." He looked down at Hikou, shaking his head.
"Don't talk. You'll be alright. I'll get ya to da doc-"
"Kouji...don't..." he coughed painfully a few times before continuing. "Don't...just...stay here..."
"Hikou..." he gently brushed his bangs back slightly, not knowing what to do. The mage's hand rose slowly and rested on the bandit's cheek comfortingly.
"I don't mind...I did...what I could...to help...you just...have to do the rest..." he sighed shakily and closed his eyes.
"No...don't...don't die, Hikou..." Kouji tried to keep his emotions in check, but found it nearly impossible with Hikou fading before his eyes. "Please..."
"Kouji...I can't...you know...as well as I...that it's fuitile..." he trembled, opening his eyes a bit. "I'm sorry..."
The bandit lost it then. He had just gotten to know the other man. Had just started to fall in love with him. He didn't want to see him dying like this. tears fell unchecked from his eyes as he wrapped his arms around Hikou as though doing so would make everything right again. Hikou's hand moved to rest in Kouji's hair, trying to calm the bandit, but he knew that there was nothing he could do. He shuddered a bit and tilted his head toward Kouji's slightly, his eyes sliding closed again. He tried to say something to him, but found it hard to speak. He relaxed suddenly, the pain no longer bothering as death claimed him.
Kouji wept bitterly for a moment, feeling as though he had failed the other man by letting him die. A hand rested on his shoulder and he looked up to find Serge.
"Come on," the guardian whispered, gently helping him up. He lifted Hikou's still form in his arms and led Kouji away from the battlefield.
Houjun looked into Samantha's eyes, a small smile crossing his face.
"I wanted to thank you...for everything..."
"Houjun, you don't have to," she replied. "I did it because I love you afterall. I should be thanking you."
"What did I do?"
"You let me love you, silly. I'm glad that we had this time together. I want to be with you when we're reborn again."
"I suppose you could, but you know that I'll end up with Tasuki again, right?" Houjun asked, touching her cheek.
"I know...but I can still be your friend, right?"
"That...would be perfect..."
"And Hikou will be with us...just like old times..."
"Yeah...like old times, Kouran..." he leaned forward, resting a chaste kiss on her lips. She returned it gently, hugging him warmly.
"I love you, Jun," she whispered.
"Kouran-"
"You don't have to say anything. I understand." She smiled, tears sparkling in her eyes.
"Thank you..." he hugged her briefly before stepping back. "I have to go now. It's time."
"I know. I trust you, Jun."
Houjun nodded and turned away. Kouran had made her decsion just as he had made his. He knew that there was no way to defeat Tenkou at this point. He knew that the demon "god" might return again. It was a risk he would take to bring some peace to the world.
He rounded the corner and nearly slammed into Tasuki. With a smile, he held out his hand to his lover.
"Ready?"
"As ready as I'm gonna get." In a flash, Houjun had teleported them to a secluded, dark room. A small alter sat in the middle, ablaze with a holy fire. Houjun knelt before it, eyes closed in prayer as Tasuki steeled his will to do as his lover had asked of him. It was the one thing he had never dreamed of doing to his lover. Still, Houjun had asked for his trust. He had to believe that this was the best for everyone. He took a deep breath before approaching the alter and reaching into the flames. He found it strange that they didn't burn him, as Houjun promised they wouldn't. He drew out a dagger that resembled the Dove's sword and knelt before his lover.
Houjun trembled a bit, fear settling in his heart. He didn't want Tasuki to do this, but it was the only way. When he had once again become both Houjun and Chichiri, he remembered the past three lifetimes he had lived. Each time, he had been alone in the world. When he had sacrificed himself before, he had no will left to go on. He had never loved anyone and had lost everything. He had nothing to live for and the purpose of the sacrife was lost to him.
But now, he had a reason. He never wanted anything like this to happen to Tasuki and himself again. This would be the last time the sacrifice would have to be preformed if he had any say in it. As he prayed silently, he began pulling the power of the Dove of Suzaku into him, willing it to remain and end in this timeline.
"Do it quickly...before one of us loses their nerve," Houjun whispered, dropping his hands to his sides. Tasuki gently wrapped his left arm around him, kissing him deeply as he plunged the dagger deep into his chest. He closed his eyes, unable to look his lover in the eyes. He felt Houjun place a hand over his, pulling the dagger deeper. For a moment, nothing seemed to happen, but then a brillient white light erupted from the wound, engulfing everything around them. The smaller man wrapped his other arm around his lover's neck, pulling him closer for thier last moment together before everything vanished.
"He did it," Serge said as the world began to disolve around them. Kouji looked into the abyss, curious and confused all at once. Serge rested a hand on his shoulder and nodded. "It's alright. You'll be reborn soon."
"Hikou too?"
"Of course."
Kouji nodded and looked back at Serge. "Yer leavin', aren't you?"
"I am. I wanted to make sure you would be alright." He took Kouji's right hand in his own, tracing something on the back of his hand. "I'll see you again." Before he could explain what he meant, he vanished. Kouji stared after him for a moment and then looked down at his hand. He had done the same to Hikou's chest without explaination. Somehome, he knew it would be important one day. At that moment, however, the white light engulfed him and nothing mattered anymore.
"Hmm...I suppose it's time...just as that man, Serge, said it would be." Tomo looked into the bright light that came to claim him and smiled. "So be it. I'll wait to see what happens to me next, I suppose." He glanced at the back of his left shin and shrugged. "I wonder why he was messing with my leg, anyway..." he shrugged, deciding it wasn't important anymore. He sat and decided it would be best to simply await his fate.
Chiriko looked up from his scrolls as Serge approched him.
"Is it time?" he asked as the guardian knelt beside him.
"It is. May I see your right foot?"
Chiriko made a face at the odd requst, but turned toward him and held it out to him. "Why?"
Serge carefully traced a symbol on his ankle and then rose. "You'll need that one day."
"But...if Houjun's preforming the ritual-"
"You'll understand when you're reborn. I must go, however. I can't be here with the world ends." He smiled at Chiriko and vanished. Just then, a white light began to engulf the room. Chiriko gathered up the scrolls he had been reading and began putting them back on their shelves.
Damon sighed as the last traces of darkness were finally chased away from his tower and looked around. The gardens seemed healthier now that Tenkou was temporarily dealt with.
"That was close," Serge said, appearing behind his brother.
"Indeed. You just had to wait until the last second, didn't you?" Damon scolded.
"You know how I am." He walked past him and took in the progress he had made.
"Do you think he made the right decsion?"
"I do. He took away all of his escape routes. He'll be back, but this time, we know where he'll be."
"I suppose..." Damon sighed. He held out his hand and watched as a new world formed from the light of the Dove. "We'll just have to wait and see what will be."
The day was bright and warm as Houjun burst from his house. He had waited until his mother and sister had left before departing for orientation. He climbed into his white Mazda and turned the key. A moment later, the passanger door opened and Hikou climbed in.
"Ready to go?"
"What do you think," Houjun smiled, shifting into reverse. They had both opted to stay in town for two more years before moving away for college. It would be cheaper this way, which was a plus. The college was only ten minutes away and it was one of the best. Hikou put in a CD as they drove, the two friends laughing about various things. They had been friends since Houjun had stared kindergarden. Hikou had just started first grade at the time. It wasn't long, however, before the school recognized the younger boy's intellegence and moved him into the same grade. The two had been together nearly everyday since.
Just two months ago, they had graduated together. Now they were both looking into colleges in other states that offered majors in art and law that they could both afford. It wouldn't be easy and would more than likely require grants, but they were determined to stay together.
As they pulled up to the campus, a few girls recognized Houjun's car and giggled, blushed, and waved at the duo, who waved back happily. They parked and headed toward registration to pick up their schedules. They rounded the corner that led to the office when someone slammed into Houjun, knocking him back. He was just about to shout at whoever it was when his mohogany eyes met the amber gaze of a teen with flame-red, wild hair. His friend, who's hair was styled similarly, poked his head around his friend's shoulder nerveously, whispering something to his friend about Houjun's and Hikou's reputation, but neither acknowleged this
"Klutz," Hikou muttered, looking down at him..
"Uh...um...sorry 'bout that," the man said, offering his hand. Houjun took it, pulling himself up.
"Uh, that's...ok...it was my fault, really..." he broke out of his trance and smiled. "My name's Houjun, and this is Hikou."
"Yeah...we heard about ya," the dark-haired youth grinned sheepishly from behind the red-head. "No hard feelin's...I'm Kouji, an' dis here's Genrou."
'Genrou...' "You guys are new here," Houjun smiled, offering his hand. "No hard feelings." Genrou took the proffered hand, shaking it firmly. "Hey, Hikou and I have to get our schedules."
"We just got ours," Genrou said, holding up a folded peice of paper. "Hey, when you get yours, ya wanna...get somethin' ta eat? My treat, since I knocked you down."
"That...would be ok..." he traded a glance with Hikou and nodded. "Sure."
They walked down the hall to the registration office, Houjun lost in thought.
'It's him...it has to be the guy from my dreams...'
'I can't believe he's real,' Genrou thought, studying Houjun from behind. 'But it's him...the angel from my dreams...'
Owari.
Ok, I finally finished it after nearly 2 years .
But this isnt' the end. No. Think of this as the prelude to more to come. I'll start the next installment asap. Lemme know what you think, no da ^_^