Author's Notes: ^__^; gomen nasai. There was a loonng
delay because I could never get on my computer long enough to format the
chapter . Well ^__^ here it is!
Review responses:
Sakata Ri Houjun: X,x if I hadn't already written the chapter I definately would have considered that!
Ivy: O.o I'm continuing! *runs and hides behind Chichiri*
Deity: *Grins* I know it was a really bad place wasn't it?
Chisama: X3 yup yup, sooooo much more healthy.
Plow: here's more!
Moonraven: ^__^ I'm glad you like the story!
Shadow Preistess: I got the name from Inu-Yasha but its not the same Naraku . I just needed an evil name...
Anime-Angel-Godess: *Sweatdrops* Gayle...lay off the sugar.
Xellas M: X3 I was having fun writing that pout part.
Yaten-muse: ^__^ Thanks, Cris!
Flighting Dreams: X3 Yup... I try.
GreenFire: X3 I'm glad you like my version of drunk Tasuki.
Ruby-san: ^__^ I am evil. I try.
Yaoiprince: X3 I like your screen name.
Leila: ^_^; its not finished...but heres the next chapter!
*~Through Eternity~*
By: Suki Inari
*~Chapter Three: The Bandits and the Drunken Monk~*
"C-chichiri…" Tasuki was trembling so hard that he thought his legs would give out. "Y-you were awake? H-how long?"
"I've been awake…since Kouji-san knocked on the door, no da."
Tasuki paled. Everything. The kiss, the face that Kouji loved him, the fact that he loved Chichiri… "C-chiri…I…" He clapped a hand over his mouth. Chiri!? Where the hell did that come from?!?!
"Tasuki, no da…" Chichiri sat up more. "Come over here, no da…"
Tasuki hesitated. Chichiri could use magic. The bandit didn't much fancy the idea of being turned into something. "…" He gulped and started forward slowly.
"Oh come on, no da…! I don't bite, no da."
Tasuki shook his head and walked swiftly to Chichiri's bedside. "H-hai?"
Chichiri sat up completely, despite Tasuki's protests and looked up at Tasuki with his single, gorgeous, mahogany eye. "This, no da." Chichiri put both hands on either side of Tasuki's face, pulled him closer, and kissed him.
Tasuki's eyes went wide and he felt himself melting into the kiss. He wasn't sure exactly when Chichiri claimed dominance. Truthfully, he didn't care. Being submissive wasn't that bad, not in this kiss. Tasuki leaned into the kiss, closing his eyes, placing his hands on Chichiri's chest. Chichiri pulled him closer in returned, wrapping his arms around the younger seishi.
When they finally pulled away, both were out of breath. They stared into each other's eye(s) as they tried to regain control of their lungs.
"C-chichiri…?"
"I love you too, no da."
These words sent Tasuki's heart soaring, the moment reaching perfection. Chichiri had kissed him! Chichiri loved him! Tasuki would swear that right then and there, he was the happiest person alive. He couldn't think of anything to say and just ended up grinning like an idiot.
****
There. He had said it. He had told Tasuki the secret that had been eating away at his heart. The silence was unnerving however. Had he misunderstood what Tasuki had said about Kouji being right? Did Tasuki not love him? Had he ruined his chances? His mind was reeling with "what ifs" until Tasuki grinned.
Chichiri held his breath as Tasuki reached a hand up and gently traced his scar with a finger. "Yer really handsome without that mask, ya know…"
Chichiri could only smile. DA~!! He loves me!! The monk felt like jumping up and doing a little dance. That thought however was quickly dismissed when he started to cough.
"Shit… Chichiri, ya need t' lay back down…" Tasuki murmered, pushing the monk back down under the covers, straightening the blankets. "The old hag told me that ya need lots of rest, an' that's what yer gonna get."
"Old hag, no da?"
"Taiitsukun."
"Ah… Sou ka…"
"She said ya were runnin' one helluva fever… Ya had me worried sick about yeh!"
"Like Kouji-san was worried about you, no da?" The blue-haired seishi's eye sparkled with mischief.
"That's not funny…" Tasuki whined, sweatdropping.
"But true, no da?"
"Hai… Not funny, but true." He smiled and kissed Chichiri's forehead.
Chichiri looked at Tasuki. "Gomen, no da… I didn't mean to worry you."
"S'ok. As long as ya get better."
"Hai, no da…" He closed his eye.
"Jus' sleep…" The bandit brushed a few fallen bangs from the monk's face. "If ya need anythin' jus' hollar if I ain't in here…" With these words the older seishi dozed off.
****
Weeks later, Chichiri was doing much better and Kouji had finally managed to drag Tasuki from the monk's bedside and get him to tell the story of what all had happened.
"An' then she sent us here." Tasuki finished. "What…?" He blinked at Kouji.
Kouji was staring at him incredulously. "You… are really both idiots! You an' yer monk had so many damn chances!"
Tasuki sweat-dropped. "Ya know…yer right."
"Damn straight. Err…" Kouji grinned. "That probably ain't correct."
"Oi!" Tasuki chucked his empty sake bowl at Kouji's head. The bandit dodged it, grinning.
Tasuki was about to throw another bowl at the navy-haired bandit's head when the door creaked open shyly. "A-ano…" A quiet voice said as a head of powder-blue hair poked through the door.
"Chichiri!" Tasuki exclaimed, leaping to his feet, rushing over to the monk, putting his hands on his shoulders. "You should be in bed…"
"I'm fine, no da…" Chichiri smiled. "Resting doesn't mean bed-ridden, no da…" He looked up at the bandit. "I wanted to spend some time with you, no da."
"I just dun want ya t' over exert yerself…"
Kouji smiled as he watched the two. They really were perfect for each other. He had never known anyone to bring out Genrou's affectionate side like Chichiri was able to. Not even Kouji himself could pull out this much worry from the bandit.
"Really, Tasuki no da… I'm feeling much better, no da!" Chichiri smiled. "Knowing that you love me is enough to make me feel all better!"
Kouji chuckled. "You two… are jus' cute together. Did'ja know that?"
Chichiri blushed. "A-arigato, na no da…"
Tasuki laughed. "I love ya, Chiri… I really do." The monk smiled at this.
"Boss!!" A bandit ran in, tripping over the door frame, crashing into Chichiri.
"Da!" Chichiri cried out, being thrown to the floor.
"Chichiri!!" Tasuki cried, helping the monk up. "You alright?!"
"Hai, no da… I'm fine, really. It's alright…"
But these words went unheard as the redhead jerked up the bandit by his collar. "What t' hell are ya doin?! Runnin' around like there's a fire somewhere!"
"G-gomen nasai! Demo, there IS a fire! The village is on fire!" The bandit explained, panicked.
"Nani?!" Both Tasuki and Kouji looked up sharply.
"The flames are spreading and they need help!"
Tasuki looked torn. Chichiri put a hand on his shoulder. "It's alright, na no da. You need to go. Is there anything I can do to help, no da?"
Tasuki shook his head. "Resting may not mean bed-ridden, but it definitely doesn't mean fighting a fire."
"You had just better be careful, no da." Chichiri ordered, poking Tasuki in the chest.
"Of course." Tasuki grinned.
****
Tasuki sighed, pushing open the doors of the main hall of their hideout. They finally had gotten the fire under control. Luckily, no one had been hurt. He was glad the village knew they could ask for help. The Mount Reikaku bandits weren't your run of the mill, plundering, ravaging bandits. They were what Miaka called 'Robin Hood Bandits' who robbed from the rich and gave the poor. (The poor included the village and themselves.) "Finally…we got it under control…"
"DA!!"
Tasuki's face was filled with the fox-faced mask of Chichiri. The mask however was flushed, but it wasn't with fever. "C-chichiri…?"
"Hai, na no da! Welcome back, no da!!" The monk went chibi and jumped up, latching onto the bandit's head and face.
"Mmph!!" Tasuki flailed around, unable to see where he was going, his cries muffled against the monk. When the chibi finally crawled onto Tasuki's head, the bandit pulled the SD monk off and held him at arms length. "Are you…drunk?!" Tasuki demanded incredulously.
"Some of your friends gave me funny tasting water, no da!" The monk declared, leaping out of the bandit's hold and on top of his head once again. There, he curled up and fell asleep.
Tasuki sweat-dropped. "Jus' dun un-chibify…" He muttered, walking back to his room, chibi monk in place on his head.
When he reached the room and went inside, he gently lifted the sleeping form off his head. As he did so, the monk un-chibified and was just asleep, mask flushed from the alcohol. Tasuki hated that mask. It was always hiding Chichiri's true feelings, keeping them tucked away. On impulse, Tasuki removed the mask and gazed at his love's sleeping face. He looked so innocent… so helpless, his cheeks lightly reddened from his fever.
It was then that Tasuki made a promise, a vow. He would protect Chichiri. No matter what the cost, he would protect him. He lay the monk down on the bed nad kissed his forehead. "Oyasumi nasai, Chichiri."
****
It wasn't until the next morning that Tasuki found out why the halls had been empty the night before. When he walked into the dining hall he found his men huddled in the corner. "What…the hell?"
One of the men ran over and clung to Tasuki. "It was horrible!!!"
Tasuki sweat-dropped. "What the hell is goin' on?!"
"We were curious!! Curious idiots!!" the bandit sobbed.
Another one burst into tears. "We jus' wanted t' help! We thought that if he was drunk he wouldn't feel so sick!"
The one latched onto Tasuki sobbed again. "We told 'im it was water! One drink…" he shuddered. "Jus' on drink… He jus' fell over an' we went t' see if he was okay an' he jus' jumped up and started….bouncin'!!"
"He bounced around sayin' 'DA!' over and over….and over…and over….it was so scary…. An' then he started makin' the clay pots explode…"
Tasuki sweat-dropped as all of the men burst into tears. "Let that be a lesson t' ya then! Never get a monk drunk!"
"H-hai~!" The men wailed.
Kouji walked in and raised an eyebrow. "May I ask what the hell is goin' on?"
Tasuki chuckled and detached the bandit from him. "The boys tried t' make Chichiri feel better an' got 'm drunk." He smirked a fanged smirk. "They learned a lesson. Never ever get a monk drunk." Kouji sweat-dropped. "Mah!" The redhead exclaimed, putting his hands behind his head. "I'm goin' t' get some breakfast!" He waved, "Ja!" and walked out the door.
****
Chichiri opened his eye slowly. Itai, no da… The monk winced and put a hand to his forehead. I've got a splitting headache, no da… It feels like my head is coming apart, na no da… He clenched his eye shut, sitting up. Water my foot, na no da… I hate alcohol, no da…
"How're ya feelin'?" Tasuki asked as he opened the door.
"Like Nuriko dropped a boulder on my head, no da…" Chichiri said, looking over at Tasuki.
"Ouch…" Tasuki winced and entered with a tray of food. "I thought ya might be hungry so I got ya some food…" he said as he walked over.
Chichiri smiled. "Arigato, na no da…"
As Tasuki set the tray on Chichiri's lap, the redhead chuckled. "Ya dun have t' worry about the guys getting' ya drunk anymore. Yer reaction t' alcohol sent them inta' frightened tears." He grinned. "They were bawlin' when I walked in t' the hall this mornin'."
Chichiri blinked. "Was I that bad, no da?"
Tasuki laughed. "Dun worry about it. They're all a bunch of sissies at heart."
Chichiri smiled and began to eat. He was dimly aware that Tasuki was watching him but he was too hungry to care. A few minutes later, Chichiri pushed his tray away and blinked when he realized that Tasuki was still watching him. "N-nani, no da? Did my scar change colors or something?"
Tasuki chuckled. "Iie. I was jus' thinkin' about how lucky I am."
"Lucky, no da?"
"Hai." He smiled warmly. "Lucky that you love me."
Chichiri's eye twinkled. "Oh, but how could anyone not, no da?"
Tasuki grinned. "Flattery will get you…everywhere." He planted a kiss on the monk's lips.
When Tasuki pulled away Chichiri smiled. "You know, no da… If I hadn't gotten sick, none of this may have happened, no da."
"That may be, jus' dun get sick every time ya want t' tell me somethin'. The bandit chuckled.
"Hai, hai…" Chichiri relented, leaning against Tasuki.
"I love ya, Chichiri…" Tasuki whispered, wrapping his arms around him.
"And I love you, na no da…" Chichiri said, nuzzling Tasuki's neck affectionately.
Tasuki held him but blinked when the monk stiffened. "Chichiri…?"
I feel an ominous presence, na no da."
Tasuki's eyes narrowed and darted around the room. There was nothing there. Chichiri relaxed after a moment. "Is it gone?" Tasuki inquired.
Chichiri nodded. "It vanished quickly…but I know it was there…" Without warning, the monk was sent into a fit of harsh coughing.
"Chichiri!" Tasuki rubbed his back. "Daijoubu!?"
The monk coughed uncontrollably for a few moments before it stopped. "Something is going to happen, no da… Something big…"
"Ya need t' rest…"
"I'm fine…"
"Please, Chiri…rest…"
"Demo…"
"Dammit Chichiri! I want ya t' get better!"
"I'm fine, no da!"
Tasuki clenched his fists. "Fine!" Hr crossed his arms angrily, pushing the monk away. "See if I care!"
"Tasuki, no da… G-gomen…I…"
Tasuki blinked, realizing what he had done. "Shit… Chichiri… I dunno where that came from…"
"…I'll sleep now…" The monk stated flatly, sinking back under the covers, turning away from the bandit.
Tasuki winced at the absence of the every present 'no da.' "Chichiri…"
"Oyasumi." The monk replied shortly.
Tasuki winced again. "Gomen…"
"…" Sighing, Chichiri turned around. "Gomen… I just have a very bad feeling… I need to go to the library at the palace to look up something…"
"I'll come with ya—"
The monk cut him off. "You've just returned. Kouji-san and your men would be mad at me if I took you away again, no da."
Tasuki took one of Chichiri's hands. "An' I'll be mad at ya if ya go without me, especially in yer condition!" Tasuki looked pleadingly into Chichiri's eye. "Kouji an' the others will understand!"
"Demo, no da… You're so happy here… Your men look up to you… Kouji-san is here… They make you laugh…"
"Ya make it sound as if I was leavin' forever!"
"I'm a wanderer, na no da… I can't stay in one place for very long… After we returned… I can't…I can't stay here forever…!"
"Chiri." Tasuki squeezed Chichiri's hand. "I can't be happier anywhere else than when I'm with you."
"Tasuki…" Chichiri murmured, eye wavering.
"We'll start out for the palace as soon as yer ready, ne?"
"Tasuki…" Chichiri smiled. "Arigato…
**** **** ****
O___o…yet another chapter completed at my father's house! Mou, I'm on a roll! Review! Review! Reviews keep my drive going!
Author's note update! *Grin* Chapter Four is also completed! Same as before, since the chapter is done in advance, a few of you just review this chapter…and….DA! The new chapter will be up! ^___^
Review responses:
Sakata Ri Houjun: X,x if I hadn't already written the chapter I definately would have considered that!
Ivy: O.o I'm continuing! *runs and hides behind Chichiri*
Deity: *Grins* I know it was a really bad place wasn't it?
Chisama: X3 yup yup, sooooo much more healthy.
Plow: here's more!
Moonraven: ^__^ I'm glad you like the story!
Shadow Preistess: I got the name from Inu-Yasha but its not the same Naraku . I just needed an evil name...
Anime-Angel-Godess: *Sweatdrops* Gayle...lay off the sugar.
Xellas M: X3 I was having fun writing that pout part.
Yaten-muse: ^__^ Thanks, Cris!
Flighting Dreams: X3 Yup... I try.
GreenFire: X3 I'm glad you like my version of drunk Tasuki.
Ruby-san: ^__^ I am evil. I try.
Yaoiprince: X3 I like your screen name.
Leila: ^_^; its not finished...but heres the next chapter!
*~Through Eternity~*
By: Suki Inari
*~Chapter Three: The Bandits and the Drunken Monk~*
"C-chichiri…" Tasuki was trembling so hard that he thought his legs would give out. "Y-you were awake? H-how long?"
"I've been awake…since Kouji-san knocked on the door, no da."
Tasuki paled. Everything. The kiss, the face that Kouji loved him, the fact that he loved Chichiri… "C-chiri…I…" He clapped a hand over his mouth. Chiri!? Where the hell did that come from?!?!
"Tasuki, no da…" Chichiri sat up more. "Come over here, no da…"
Tasuki hesitated. Chichiri could use magic. The bandit didn't much fancy the idea of being turned into something. "…" He gulped and started forward slowly.
"Oh come on, no da…! I don't bite, no da."
Tasuki shook his head and walked swiftly to Chichiri's bedside. "H-hai?"
Chichiri sat up completely, despite Tasuki's protests and looked up at Tasuki with his single, gorgeous, mahogany eye. "This, no da." Chichiri put both hands on either side of Tasuki's face, pulled him closer, and kissed him.
Tasuki's eyes went wide and he felt himself melting into the kiss. He wasn't sure exactly when Chichiri claimed dominance. Truthfully, he didn't care. Being submissive wasn't that bad, not in this kiss. Tasuki leaned into the kiss, closing his eyes, placing his hands on Chichiri's chest. Chichiri pulled him closer in returned, wrapping his arms around the younger seishi.
When they finally pulled away, both were out of breath. They stared into each other's eye(s) as they tried to regain control of their lungs.
"C-chichiri…?"
"I love you too, no da."
These words sent Tasuki's heart soaring, the moment reaching perfection. Chichiri had kissed him! Chichiri loved him! Tasuki would swear that right then and there, he was the happiest person alive. He couldn't think of anything to say and just ended up grinning like an idiot.
****
There. He had said it. He had told Tasuki the secret that had been eating away at his heart. The silence was unnerving however. Had he misunderstood what Tasuki had said about Kouji being right? Did Tasuki not love him? Had he ruined his chances? His mind was reeling with "what ifs" until Tasuki grinned.
Chichiri held his breath as Tasuki reached a hand up and gently traced his scar with a finger. "Yer really handsome without that mask, ya know…"
Chichiri could only smile. DA~!! He loves me!! The monk felt like jumping up and doing a little dance. That thought however was quickly dismissed when he started to cough.
"Shit… Chichiri, ya need t' lay back down…" Tasuki murmered, pushing the monk back down under the covers, straightening the blankets. "The old hag told me that ya need lots of rest, an' that's what yer gonna get."
"Old hag, no da?"
"Taiitsukun."
"Ah… Sou ka…"
"She said ya were runnin' one helluva fever… Ya had me worried sick about yeh!"
"Like Kouji-san was worried about you, no da?" The blue-haired seishi's eye sparkled with mischief.
"That's not funny…" Tasuki whined, sweatdropping.
"But true, no da?"
"Hai… Not funny, but true." He smiled and kissed Chichiri's forehead.
Chichiri looked at Tasuki. "Gomen, no da… I didn't mean to worry you."
"S'ok. As long as ya get better."
"Hai, no da…" He closed his eye.
"Jus' sleep…" The bandit brushed a few fallen bangs from the monk's face. "If ya need anythin' jus' hollar if I ain't in here…" With these words the older seishi dozed off.
****
Weeks later, Chichiri was doing much better and Kouji had finally managed to drag Tasuki from the monk's bedside and get him to tell the story of what all had happened.
"An' then she sent us here." Tasuki finished. "What…?" He blinked at Kouji.
Kouji was staring at him incredulously. "You… are really both idiots! You an' yer monk had so many damn chances!"
Tasuki sweat-dropped. "Ya know…yer right."
"Damn straight. Err…" Kouji grinned. "That probably ain't correct."
"Oi!" Tasuki chucked his empty sake bowl at Kouji's head. The bandit dodged it, grinning.
Tasuki was about to throw another bowl at the navy-haired bandit's head when the door creaked open shyly. "A-ano…" A quiet voice said as a head of powder-blue hair poked through the door.
"Chichiri!" Tasuki exclaimed, leaping to his feet, rushing over to the monk, putting his hands on his shoulders. "You should be in bed…"
"I'm fine, no da…" Chichiri smiled. "Resting doesn't mean bed-ridden, no da…" He looked up at the bandit. "I wanted to spend some time with you, no da."
"I just dun want ya t' over exert yerself…"
Kouji smiled as he watched the two. They really were perfect for each other. He had never known anyone to bring out Genrou's affectionate side like Chichiri was able to. Not even Kouji himself could pull out this much worry from the bandit.
"Really, Tasuki no da… I'm feeling much better, no da!" Chichiri smiled. "Knowing that you love me is enough to make me feel all better!"
Kouji chuckled. "You two… are jus' cute together. Did'ja know that?"
Chichiri blushed. "A-arigato, na no da…"
Tasuki laughed. "I love ya, Chiri… I really do." The monk smiled at this.
"Boss!!" A bandit ran in, tripping over the door frame, crashing into Chichiri.
"Da!" Chichiri cried out, being thrown to the floor.
"Chichiri!!" Tasuki cried, helping the monk up. "You alright?!"
"Hai, no da… I'm fine, really. It's alright…"
But these words went unheard as the redhead jerked up the bandit by his collar. "What t' hell are ya doin?! Runnin' around like there's a fire somewhere!"
"G-gomen nasai! Demo, there IS a fire! The village is on fire!" The bandit explained, panicked.
"Nani?!" Both Tasuki and Kouji looked up sharply.
"The flames are spreading and they need help!"
Tasuki looked torn. Chichiri put a hand on his shoulder. "It's alright, na no da. You need to go. Is there anything I can do to help, no da?"
Tasuki shook his head. "Resting may not mean bed-ridden, but it definitely doesn't mean fighting a fire."
"You had just better be careful, no da." Chichiri ordered, poking Tasuki in the chest.
"Of course." Tasuki grinned.
****
Tasuki sighed, pushing open the doors of the main hall of their hideout. They finally had gotten the fire under control. Luckily, no one had been hurt. He was glad the village knew they could ask for help. The Mount Reikaku bandits weren't your run of the mill, plundering, ravaging bandits. They were what Miaka called 'Robin Hood Bandits' who robbed from the rich and gave the poor. (The poor included the village and themselves.) "Finally…we got it under control…"
"DA!!"
Tasuki's face was filled with the fox-faced mask of Chichiri. The mask however was flushed, but it wasn't with fever. "C-chichiri…?"
"Hai, na no da! Welcome back, no da!!" The monk went chibi and jumped up, latching onto the bandit's head and face.
"Mmph!!" Tasuki flailed around, unable to see where he was going, his cries muffled against the monk. When the chibi finally crawled onto Tasuki's head, the bandit pulled the SD monk off and held him at arms length. "Are you…drunk?!" Tasuki demanded incredulously.
"Some of your friends gave me funny tasting water, no da!" The monk declared, leaping out of the bandit's hold and on top of his head once again. There, he curled up and fell asleep.
Tasuki sweat-dropped. "Jus' dun un-chibify…" He muttered, walking back to his room, chibi monk in place on his head.
When he reached the room and went inside, he gently lifted the sleeping form off his head. As he did so, the monk un-chibified and was just asleep, mask flushed from the alcohol. Tasuki hated that mask. It was always hiding Chichiri's true feelings, keeping them tucked away. On impulse, Tasuki removed the mask and gazed at his love's sleeping face. He looked so innocent… so helpless, his cheeks lightly reddened from his fever.
It was then that Tasuki made a promise, a vow. He would protect Chichiri. No matter what the cost, he would protect him. He lay the monk down on the bed nad kissed his forehead. "Oyasumi nasai, Chichiri."
****
It wasn't until the next morning that Tasuki found out why the halls had been empty the night before. When he walked into the dining hall he found his men huddled in the corner. "What…the hell?"
One of the men ran over and clung to Tasuki. "It was horrible!!!"
Tasuki sweat-dropped. "What the hell is goin' on?!"
"We were curious!! Curious idiots!!" the bandit sobbed.
Another one burst into tears. "We jus' wanted t' help! We thought that if he was drunk he wouldn't feel so sick!"
The one latched onto Tasuki sobbed again. "We told 'im it was water! One drink…" he shuddered. "Jus' on drink… He jus' fell over an' we went t' see if he was okay an' he jus' jumped up and started….bouncin'!!"
"He bounced around sayin' 'DA!' over and over….and over…and over….it was so scary…. An' then he started makin' the clay pots explode…"
Tasuki sweat-dropped as all of the men burst into tears. "Let that be a lesson t' ya then! Never get a monk drunk!"
"H-hai~!" The men wailed.
Kouji walked in and raised an eyebrow. "May I ask what the hell is goin' on?"
Tasuki chuckled and detached the bandit from him. "The boys tried t' make Chichiri feel better an' got 'm drunk." He smirked a fanged smirk. "They learned a lesson. Never ever get a monk drunk." Kouji sweat-dropped. "Mah!" The redhead exclaimed, putting his hands behind his head. "I'm goin' t' get some breakfast!" He waved, "Ja!" and walked out the door.
****
Chichiri opened his eye slowly. Itai, no da… The monk winced and put a hand to his forehead. I've got a splitting headache, no da… It feels like my head is coming apart, na no da… He clenched his eye shut, sitting up. Water my foot, na no da… I hate alcohol, no da…
"How're ya feelin'?" Tasuki asked as he opened the door.
"Like Nuriko dropped a boulder on my head, no da…" Chichiri said, looking over at Tasuki.
"Ouch…" Tasuki winced and entered with a tray of food. "I thought ya might be hungry so I got ya some food…" he said as he walked over.
Chichiri smiled. "Arigato, na no da…"
As Tasuki set the tray on Chichiri's lap, the redhead chuckled. "Ya dun have t' worry about the guys getting' ya drunk anymore. Yer reaction t' alcohol sent them inta' frightened tears." He grinned. "They were bawlin' when I walked in t' the hall this mornin'."
Chichiri blinked. "Was I that bad, no da?"
Tasuki laughed. "Dun worry about it. They're all a bunch of sissies at heart."
Chichiri smiled and began to eat. He was dimly aware that Tasuki was watching him but he was too hungry to care. A few minutes later, Chichiri pushed his tray away and blinked when he realized that Tasuki was still watching him. "N-nani, no da? Did my scar change colors or something?"
Tasuki chuckled. "Iie. I was jus' thinkin' about how lucky I am."
"Lucky, no da?"
"Hai." He smiled warmly. "Lucky that you love me."
Chichiri's eye twinkled. "Oh, but how could anyone not, no da?"
Tasuki grinned. "Flattery will get you…everywhere." He planted a kiss on the monk's lips.
When Tasuki pulled away Chichiri smiled. "You know, no da… If I hadn't gotten sick, none of this may have happened, no da."
"That may be, jus' dun get sick every time ya want t' tell me somethin'. The bandit chuckled.
"Hai, hai…" Chichiri relented, leaning against Tasuki.
"I love ya, Chichiri…" Tasuki whispered, wrapping his arms around him.
"And I love you, na no da…" Chichiri said, nuzzling Tasuki's neck affectionately.
Tasuki held him but blinked when the monk stiffened. "Chichiri…?"
I feel an ominous presence, na no da."
Tasuki's eyes narrowed and darted around the room. There was nothing there. Chichiri relaxed after a moment. "Is it gone?" Tasuki inquired.
Chichiri nodded. "It vanished quickly…but I know it was there…" Without warning, the monk was sent into a fit of harsh coughing.
"Chichiri!" Tasuki rubbed his back. "Daijoubu!?"
The monk coughed uncontrollably for a few moments before it stopped. "Something is going to happen, no da… Something big…"
"Ya need t' rest…"
"I'm fine…"
"Please, Chiri…rest…"
"Demo…"
"Dammit Chichiri! I want ya t' get better!"
"I'm fine, no da!"
Tasuki clenched his fists. "Fine!" Hr crossed his arms angrily, pushing the monk away. "See if I care!"
"Tasuki, no da… G-gomen…I…"
Tasuki blinked, realizing what he had done. "Shit… Chichiri… I dunno where that came from…"
"…I'll sleep now…" The monk stated flatly, sinking back under the covers, turning away from the bandit.
Tasuki winced at the absence of the every present 'no da.' "Chichiri…"
"Oyasumi." The monk replied shortly.
Tasuki winced again. "Gomen…"
"…" Sighing, Chichiri turned around. "Gomen… I just have a very bad feeling… I need to go to the library at the palace to look up something…"
"I'll come with ya—"
The monk cut him off. "You've just returned. Kouji-san and your men would be mad at me if I took you away again, no da."
Tasuki took one of Chichiri's hands. "An' I'll be mad at ya if ya go without me, especially in yer condition!" Tasuki looked pleadingly into Chichiri's eye. "Kouji an' the others will understand!"
"Demo, no da… You're so happy here… Your men look up to you… Kouji-san is here… They make you laugh…"
"Ya make it sound as if I was leavin' forever!"
"I'm a wanderer, na no da… I can't stay in one place for very long… After we returned… I can't…I can't stay here forever…!"
"Chiri." Tasuki squeezed Chichiri's hand. "I can't be happier anywhere else than when I'm with you."
"Tasuki…" Chichiri murmured, eye wavering.
"We'll start out for the palace as soon as yer ready, ne?"
"Tasuki…" Chichiri smiled. "Arigato…
**** **** ****
O___o…yet another chapter completed at my father's house! Mou, I'm on a roll! Review! Review! Reviews keep my drive going!
Author's note update! *Grin* Chapter Four is also completed! Same as before, since the chapter is done in advance, a few of you just review this chapter…and….DA! The new chapter will be up! ^___^