Meetings
Wiping the sweat from his brow, he wearily trudged through the endless grounds. Five months of traveling, and still not a single living soul in sight. Much as he liked walking, roaming the world in the middle of the hot summer was definitely not a good idea.
The blazing sun glared down mercilessly. By the name of Suzaku, why did it have to be so hot! His temper was undeniably deteriorating. Which fool had said that monks were supposed to be placid and composed anyway?
Snorting derisively, Chichiri admitted that he wasn't ideal monk material from the start, though Taiitsukun had fixed that, in a way. Monks were supposed to have lots of patience, or so they say, and you need lots of that while living with Taiitsukun. And he had felt that his only way to rid himself if some of the endless guilt was to choose this path. Maybe as a monk, he could find peace. He had lost all hope of having a family after losing Kouran. He loved only her, even if she didn't return his love. And he did not deserve to lead a normal life after what he had done. Even if Hikou had betrayed him, he shouldn't have fought him. If only he had the power he had now, if only he had the maturity he now possessed, if only…
Uncomfortably aware of the dampness of his clothes, he couldn't help but think fondly of the beauty and serenity of Mount Taikyoku. Or the occasional serenity of it, anyway, what with nyan nyans running all over the mountains and Taiitsukun popping above your head. If it hadn't been for that weird feeling…
He had to do something, see something. But he doesn't what it was going to be. He had been told to trust his instincts, and his instincts had told him to travel. Not to mention that Taiitsukun had finally managed to get on his nerves, and him on hers. She had told him rather bluntly that it was more than past time for him to get his ass out in the normal world again, though not in so many words, of course.
But why oh why, did it have to be in this weather? This is pure torment! Maybe he should teleport himself to the nearest village… but he didn't know where the nearest village was.
Suzaku, he's getting even hotter! Maybe he should keep his temper down. Calm, tranquil, calm, tranquil, calm…
Chanting the words repeatedly like some mantra, Chichiri resumed his torturous track over the parched lands; making a mental note to ask Taiitsukun for a cooling spell the first time he gets the chance.
That was how he thought of himself now, Chichiri, Suzaku no Shichiseishi, no longer the once innocent teenager he had been. It had seemed such a long time ago… and yet it was forever carved within his very soul. Hikou and Kouran remained fresh in his mind, the rain… Hikou's fingers slipping form his…
Absently rubbing the coarse scar that had once been his left eye, Suzaku Seishi Chichiri trudged on, the burning heat temporarily forgotten.
***
He couldn't believe his eyes, a village! At last! After all these months! Unable to conceal his excitement, Chichiri made his way to the quaint village in all haste. Which meant he scampered down the hill he had been on a few seconds ago. Who ever said monks needed to be elegant anyway?
***
"Umph!!"
Chichiri looked down at the unfortunate person who had managed to get into his way. Deep lavender eyes peered back at him. It was a boy of maybe eight or nine, small and scrawny for his age, with tousled greenish blonde hair. A shopping basket lay at his feet, its contents spilled onto the ground.
"Sorry, I'm…" Suddenly Chichiri noticed that the boy was staring at him, his eyes misted with fear.
My scar, I must look like a monster to him. He smiled reassuringly, taking a step toward the boy. Which turned out to be a huge mistake. The child backed away in pure terror, his eyes remaining locked onto Chichiri's scar.
"Wait… I'm not going to hurt you…" Chichiri caught the boy's arm as the child tripped over his heels in panic.
"Let go of me! Nii-chan!! Please let go!" Chichiri could only stare in horror as tears started streaming down the boy's cheeks, who was struggling within his grasp.
"Let go of my brother!" Another voice yelled. Chichiri looked up… and gaped.
It must be the after-effects of the heat, he's starting to see double. Another boy stood in front of him, completely identical to the one who had just managed to free himself from Chichiri's grasp during his distraction.
"Nii-chan!" The boy who had collided into Chichiri flung himself into his mirror image's arms.
Chichiri felt a migraine coming. This was just too much. First the infernal heat, next the hysterical boy, and now the boy's doppelganger. Suzaku, what did he do to deserve this?
Forcing himself to think with a semblance of rationality, Chichiri studied the boys once more. Twins, that must be it. And from the way they acted, the one he had knocked down must be the younger twin. They were completely identical from head to toe, albeit the younger one seems thinner and sicklier.
"Shun-chan, are you all right?" the older twin asked worriedly, clutching his brother tightly.
His younger brother buried his head in the folds of his brother's tunic. "Nii-chan, it's him, he scares me…"
The older twin glared at Chichiri. "Leave us alone." He started to pull his younger brother back. Chichiri made no move to follow, less he start terrorizing the twins again.
Seeing that he had no intent to come after them, the elder of the two relaxed a little, though he still eyed Chichiri warily.
Chichiri smiled gently, trying to look as amicable as possible, though he was sure he couldn't accomplished much with that gruesome scar on his face. "I'm sorry, it was only an accident, and I didn't mean to terrify your brother."
The elder twin nodded, though he didn't stop backing away. Inwardly, though, he was already starting to feel strangely at ease with this extraordinary monk. There was something… about the scarred man that gave him a sense of comfort and warmth, though he couldn't quite place it. But he was sure that the man wouldn't do anything to harm him or otouto. Though he certainly couldn't blame Shun-chan for panicking at the start. The angry scar over the monk's left eye made him appear gruesome, but he also exuded a sense of familiarity, as if they had something in common.
His younger brother, sensing his brother's calmness through the intense bond that they shared, dared himself to peek another look at the strange monk… and spotted another problem.
"Nii-chan, the shopping… Shouko will kill me when she finds out." The younger one had already turned a deathly pale, not relishing the idea of another beating and a month with only one meal a day.
His brother clenched his teeth in fury, Shun-chan didn't deserve this type of treatment. It wasn't his otouto's fault that he couldn't do his chores properly because he was frequently sick. But they didn't have anywhere to go. Who would take in nine-year-old kids with practically nothing but the clothes on their backs? Shun-chan wasn't suited for traveling. This way, at least he has a roof to sleep under and guaranteed meals, however poor they might be.
"Don't worry, I won't let her hurt you, I promise." Even so, he was already worrying about how he might stop that hag from doing anything. He could defend his brother when it came to that, but he didn't want anybody to know about the powers he possessed. Not yet.
"Excuse me?" Chichiri noticed the dilemma and predicaments the twins were facing. Commiseration welled within him. It was obvious they were being mistreated. " Take this money, it should be enough to pay for everything." He pressed a few coins into the elder twin's hand. The naked desire in the younger twin's eyes was painfully obvious. The elder one, however, declined.
"I can't, I mean… I shouldn't take your money…" he floundered, but he couldn't hide the longing in his eyes either.
Chichiri sighed. What were these boys going through? "It was my fault, anyway. I'm not offering any help, merely compensating for the damage done. You won't be owing me anything."
The elder twin still hesitated. Okaasan had always told him not to accept anything from strangers, but this monk seems so nice…
"Nii-chan, please… " Shun-chan's large pleading eyes decided him. He couldn't bear to let Shun-chan suffer.
"Thank you, kind sir." Now they had better get the shopping done before Shouko sends those hideous crones she called daughters after them. He didn't like thinking badly of anybody, but he despised Shouko's daughters almost as much as he hated Shouko herself. They teased Shun-chan mercilessly, leaving him in tears every time.
Shun-chan had evidently run the same line of thoughts as well. Before he could even thank the monk a second time, his younger brother was already dragging him down the street.
Chichiri could only watch them vanish among the crowd. They had seem so adorable, and the elder one so protective towards his younger twin. He hadn't even managed to ask them their names. Weird, for one moment, he had thought he sensed something when the elder twin appeared. But it was only a fleeting sensation, maybe it had only been his imagination gone wild after having to deal with the heat and facing identical twins.
***
Chichiri intently studied the reflection that had materialized on the calm surface of the crystal-clear pond, satisfied with the results of his work. An ever-smiling face beamed back at him. The most amiable, pleasant, and forthcoming face to ever exist. Without that repulsive scar, of course. Removing the mask from his face, he stared thoughtfully into space. If he had worn this mask on that fateful day, he wouldn't have terrified that little boy. If fate should ever decide to let him meet those twins again, he would have to thank them for this. Now, he would always have a happy front to face the world. In fact, he could almost make himself believe that he did feel happier.
"Wearing this does make me feel happier, no da." He laughed softly to himself. A funny speech pattern to go with a humorous mask. How fitting. Now he wouldn't have to deal with the looks of horror and revulsion he received from almost everyone. Some even had pity in their eyes. Pity! As if he had ever deserved it. That was what that had made everything so difficult to bear. When the public sympathized in him, those dreadful memories would come flooding back unsolicited. Hikou…when could he ever forgive himself?
Chichiri shook his head furiously. He shouldn't be thinking of that now. It was such a beautiful day; he didn't want to waste it. Taiitsukun had always chided him for his behavior. She had always claim that helping the living was always more important than mourning for the dead. Such pious words coming from that revolting visage had always seem incongruous, and Chichiri couldn't help but laugh every time he thought about it. Especially when he remembered Taiitsukun's expression after he had burst into laughter right before her. She hadn't been particularly…pleased. And she had literally exploded when the nyan-nyans supported his opinion full heartedly. He was lucky that she had spared him the consequences of her wrath. In fact, she was gratified that she had finally succeeded in getting him to laugh.
How could he have been so stupid? Taiitsukun was right, as she always was, he admitted ruefully, except for that small issue of her looks, of course. All those years, wasted. Laughing feels so good. Funny to think that it was two young boys who had finally brought him to his senses. He wondered how they were getting along right now. They hadn't been treated very well when he saw them. Shun-chan, the younger one especially. He regretted not being able to help them any more than he had. He had tried asking the villagers in that village, sure that anyone would remember such endearing identical twins, but he had only found out that they came from another village, and didn't talk much to anybody, always seeming to be in a hurry to return home. And unless he was terribly off the mark, he knew exactly why. Their guardians didn't encourage them to socialize, probably the lesser time the twins spend talking, the more work they get done.
He did hope that their luck had taken a better turn; they weren't suited for the life they were leading then. From what little information he had managed to glean from the villagers, he did know that they were orphans. Mistreated orphans, from the looks of it. Maybe the elder twin had managed to find both of them a better home, or someone else had taken pity on them. He certainly had. But he had failed to help them, even though he had tried.
They had certainly changed his life significantly, though. His reflection grinned at him.
"Domo arigatou, no da." Chichiri grabbed a fishing pole and settled back to fish, slowly settling into a peaceful meditative stance.
***
Koutoku seethed within. Despite all his efforts, they had arrived home late and ended up getting punished. Losing their dinner was the least of the problems on his mind right now. His body still ached from the beatings that he had received, but he didn't even notice it. He couldn't help glancing at his younger brother worriedly. If Shouko or her daughters saw him doing that, they were sure to concoct a brand new series of punishments. He didn't care. Right now, the only thing on his mind was Shunkaku. His bother had already come down with a steadily rising fever. Scrubbing his soapy hands on his threadbare pants, Koutoku laid a hand on his brother's forehead gingerly. What he felt alarmed him. He had already sensed that Shun-chan wasn't well through their bond, but he hadn't imagined that it was this bad. This was all his fault. If only he had gone looking for his brother earlier, they wouldn't have arrived home late. He didn't dare tell Shouko about Shun-chan's condition, she would only sneer and set them even more tedious tasks than washing plates.
"Otouto, shh…" he whispered softly.
His brother gazed at him through red-rimmed, blurry eyes. " Hmm, nii-chan?"
"Pass the plates over to me, keep one or two for yourself, so that Shouko won't notice, hurry."
As his brother handed over the dishes, Koutoku was shocked to notice that otouto's hands were trembling. He didn't know how much longer Shun-chan could take this. Shunkaku was already in a dream-like daze, his trembling hands scrubbing the plate he held almost mechanically.
"Clang!!!!!" The sound was almost deafening to Koutoku's ears. Seiryuu, no, not this. Anything but this.
Right on cue, the fat crone of the house appeared. Before Koutoku could do anything, she had already delivered a swift blow to the back of Shunkaku's neck, the force of the blow making the boy stumble forward.
"Don't! Onegai, don't beat him anymore, he isn't feeling well… onegai…" Koutoku pleaded, shielding his brother from any more blows.
Shouko sneered. "As if that is anything new, that sniveling brat has been sick for as long as I could remember. He can't pass a day without destroying something, both of you are more trouble than you're worth. Worthless creatures."
"Gomen nasai," Shunkaku said softly, tears welling in his eyes.
"Shut up! Don't you dare cry on me now, you already owe me tons, both of you can work to the death and you still wouldn't be able to pay back a tenth of it!" She eyed Shunkaku distastefully." Not that you'll live for very long anyway."
"He didn't mean to!" Koutoku clutched his brother defensively, the words pouring out of his mouth without thinking. "If only you would allow him to go and see a doctor, he would be able to do his chores better!"
Koutoku shielded his brother as best as he could when the fat woman lashed out at him. "I've already spent too much on both of you, you can already count me generous enough that I'm letting you live here! If it weren't for me, both of you would be sleeping under the hedges and your brother would probably be a month-old corpse by now!"
Koutoku bit his lip painfully, not trusting himself to speak, fearing that he might worsen the situation, which he had already done.
"Both of you can finish washing the plates, than you can clean the barns as well. After that, you can chop the firewood behind the house. " Her smile wasn't particularly pleasant. It reeked with grim satisfaction. "While you're at it, you might as well weed the garden. And if that crybaby breaks anything more, you can spend the rest of the night outside." The door slammed close after her.
Koutoku's mind was afire with worry and dread. He eyed his brother in trepidation. They were doomed to stay out for the night anyway. How could Shun-chan take the strain and exhaustion? And it was entirely his fault, again.
Shunkaku felt his brother's distress. "I'm… I'm sorry, nii-chan." He sniffed, struggling to choke back the sobs that were threatening to overcome him, to no avail. He didn't mean to break that plate, but he had felt so hot, and yet so cold. His head was aching terribly, and every movement was torture.
"Ne, everything's going to be okay. It's not your fault." Of course it wasn't Shunkaku's fault. Koutoku felt so hopeless. He had sworn to take care of his brother, and so far he was doing a miserable job.
"Don't worry, Shun-chan, everything's all right," he said, stroking his younger brother's head absently." Everything's all right."
***
Koutoku traced a finger across his brother's flushed cheeks. Shunkaku slept fitfully, the pale moonlight illuminating his gaunt face. Alit by the moon's glare, the few strands of stray hair that fell over Shunkaku's eyes were painted silver, his skin cast an alabaster white.
Koutoku brushed away the stray bangs that framed his brother's face gently. Shun looked so innocent, so vulnerable. He bit his lip as his eyes took in the angry slashes on Shunkaku's arms. His brother gets beaten almost everyday. How could they expect him to do his chores properly if they fed him only once a day and refuse to let him see a doctor?
Shun trusted him so much that it hurt. Right now, he felt as if he were betraying him.
I don't mind, as long as you're with me, nii-chan.
Shun had promised to try hard as long they were together. Koutoku's vision blurred, tears welling in his eyes.
"I'm sorry… Shun, but it's the only way. Please…forgive me." He couldn't bear to see his brother suffer any more. Anything he had ever done in his entire life had been for Shunkaku. So was what he was going to do. But the thought of leaving his brother was almost unbearable. He couldn't take Shun along. His sickly brother could never sleep outside in the cold, harsh nights, or go for weeks without a proper meal. This way, at least he'll have a roof to shelter at night, and food, however inadequate it might be.
"Promise me you'll wait for me, Shun-chan. When I find her, I'll return. Promise me that." He would put an end to all this, when he finds her, he could put an end to all this. Shunkaku wouldn't have to endure the torment he was going through now.
"Promise me…" And with those last words to the only person that he loved, Koutoku ran out into the dark, starless night, tears flowing unchecked as he did so.
***
Snowdancer: I do so love twin sap! (skips round happily while BloodyCrystal gags in the background, and BloodyCrystal was supposed to be a twin supporter…^-^)
We actually intended this to be a Chichiri fic, but oh well, you do have to admit the twins are such cuties. So now it's a fic on Chichiri and the twins, no da! (Snowdancer claims Chichiri while BloodyCrystal gets the twins, but since BloodyCrystal's more of an Amiboshi fangirl, Snowdancer takes Suboshi as well)
BloodyCrystal: Don't you dare! Both are mine! (starts strangling Snowdancer)
Snowdancer : You don't like Suboshi anyway! So I get the so-called evil (and in Snowdancer's eyes, cooler) twin.
BloodyCrystal: I like both! Keep your dirty hands off him!
Snowdancer : No way! Stick to Amiboshi, I get Suboshi!
BloodyCrystal: What!? You little mean, low-down, despicable twin-snatcher! (pounces on Snowdancer)
Suboshi : (looks at the two fighting girls apprehensively) Aniki… I'm scared…
Amiboshi: (sweatdrops) We'd better get going before those rabid fangirls notice us, otouto.
Suboshi : Hai! (both twins sneaked off)
BloodyCrystal : (looks round for the twins) Where are my twins? See what you've done! Now I've lost both of them!
Snowdancer : What did you mean by that? It was your fault in the first place! You should have given me Suboshi!
BloodyCrystal : They're mine! You already have Chichiri!
Snowdancer : That's unfair! You'll have two bishonen!
BloodyCrystal : (rolls eyes) They look the same…
Snowdancer : No they don't! Suboshi's way cooler!
BloodyCrystal : Amiboshi's cooler!
Snowdancer : No he isn't! Suboshi! (lunges at BloodyCrystal)
BloodyCrystal : Amiboshi!
And the fight begins anew…
There are some Japanese words in this fic, though they're all extremely elementary. Just in case they're a problem, here's a quick reference on the words used.
Nii-chan - elder brother
Otouto - younger brother
-chan ( as in Shun-chan, nii-chan, etc) - a term of endearment for those held dear.
Domo arigato - thank you. ( everybody knows this one. ^-^)
Gomen nasai - sorry
Onegai - please
ne - just an expression, like 'eh' .
If it hasn't been clear by now, Koutoku was Amiboshi's birth name, and Shunkaku was Suboshi's. ( ducks rotten tomatoes thrown by annoyed readers - "Stop repeating the obvious, what do you think we are? Stupid?)
