Review Responses (Chapter Four):
Sakata Ri Houjun: X.x haihai, I know I was like..."okay this works" Then I went back and then I realized it was what Nuriko had said and I just glared at the computer for half and hour.
Ruby-san: ^^;; Gomen gomen, but as you can see Chichiri isn't dead anymore! *grins impishly* they maaayyy get together....mayyybe not. *Cackle*
Deity: Eep, no da!! *RUN*
Xellas M: ^^;; arigato...Can't...ever...write...lemon...x.x *dies*
Chisama: *Blushes* Talent? *Shakes head* Iie, this story isn't that good...
Anime-Angel-Godess: --;...You knew what was coming Gayle...we did that part like....three months ago in the role play.
Flighting Dreams: X3 Hai! A chibi Chichiri IS cute and a drunken one is much cuter XD
sTrAwbErRyfAnSz: X3 they're reunited!! *runs*
Moonraven: >.X Yes you did!! T.T How could YOU have done thaaatttttt?
Leila: I updated ^^; don't be sad...*patpat*
Ma Junior: Tee hee, arigato.
Chaotic Demon: Next chappy ish up!
Delas: x.X don't hunt me down!! *scampers away*
Review Responses (Chapter 5):
Flighting Dreams: X3 Yes I can...and I did. X.x I HAD to go to sleep! You saw all the typos!!
Chisama: ^^;;...I don't like coffee....
GreenFire: Yes, I was half asleep when I was typing it up. x.x I was writing it very very fast because my mom was yelling at me to get off.
Moonraven: Hehehe, must have Hotohori/Nuriko.
Ruby-san: Hee hee. Here's what happens to your Tasuki-chan.
Kitsuna-Ri: n.n Still writing, no da!
Chaotic Demon: Arigato!
Delas: X3 Yay! I new title! "God of cliffhangers..." *changes it to Goddess* There n.n
Xellas M: ^__^ All the seishi will be worked into it. While getting the two back together IS a good chunk of the plot, there's a much MUCH larger plot on the horrison.
Anime-Angel-Goddess: *Sweatdrops* ...Lay..off..the sugar...
Eeyaatoe: ^^; Its Enji. Again, I was half asleep.
Leila: Hehehe, yes, we must all have Houjun being rescued by Genrou. But there will be a few times where its the other way around. X3...
Water and Fire: Here is what happens next!
dvsgirl13: Ha ha Keirstin. You've read it before and you promoted me from evil midget to evil midget bitch from hell with Chapter four...*cackle*
kawaii: *laughs* Apparently you didn't read the summary where it says "Tasuki/Chichiri". If you don't like Chichiri being gay, don't read stories where he is! *Smirks* I smirked when I read your flame. And if you or any potential flamers are reading this I hope you know that all flames will be smirked/laughed at and read to people at school where they will be laughed at again.
More Author's Notes: Alrighty!! A little heads up for everyone! This fic will be incredibly yaoi. I was going over the plot in my head and realised that there are very very few straight couples in this...*Sweatdrops* The Seiryuu seishi will be brought in, but not as baddies! Couplings along the seishi will go as follows, if you don't like it I suggest you either bare with the couples when they show up or stop reading:
Miaka/Tamahome (duh)
Hotohori/Nuriko
Tasuki/Chichiri (no duh, no da)
Nakago/Tomo
Amiboshi/Suboshi (Don't like it? Don't read it.)
The seiryuu seishi won't be showing up for a long while because I've kinda separated the story into little mini arcs that usually end in great pain with Chichiri. The Seiryuu don't come in until the second arc. Other couples will crop up but not any time soon for me to talk about them right now. *mews like a kitty* Onto the story!
Chapter Six: Blood and Affections
Genrou's eyes narrowed. "So, ya finally decided t' follow in yer brother's footsteps, eh?" The redhead dropped into a low stance as the men with knives advanced.
Houjun strained against the cloth which bound his hands. If he could just put enough pressure at the right spot...
Genrou sidestepped a knife that was thrust at him and he jammed his knee into the guy's gut. Two came at him at once so the redhead leapt up over their heads, letting the two crash into each other. Genrou didn't notice as a sixth thug stepped from the shadows, he was fending off the other two.
Frantically, Houjun strained against his bonds. "Genrou!!" His voice was muffled by the gag. With a sharp jerk of his head, the gag fell from his mouth. "Genrou! Behind you!!" With a final tug, the cloth around his hands came undone and Houjun's hands flew to the bonds on his ankles.
At Houjun's cry, Genrou half turned after knocking out the two. "What..." He stopped, staring up into the cruel face of an elder thug who was holding a knife over him.
Grinning, the thug brought the knife down. "ABUNAI!!" Houjun half tackled Genrou out of the way even as the knife came down and ended up embedded up to the hilt in the blue haired boy's shoulder. The two went tumbling along the ground.
Sitting up, Genrou's eyes widened. "Houjun!!"
With a smile, Houjun looked up at him, holding his shoulder. "I'm okay, no da..." The blue haired senior was about to say more but a new figure dragged him up and pulled him back. It was Enji.
"Hey, Kai! These two keep beating up our boys! I want Genrou to suffer, so what do I do?"
Enji's brother, Kai, stepped closer. "Give me the blue haired brat."
As Houjun was shoved towards Kai, Genrou leapt to his feet. "Leave 'im alone! He didn't do anythin'!!"
Kai smirked, lifting a knife to Houjun's throat. "Go ahead and state your demands, little brother."
Enji smirked as his men rose to their feet. Turning to Genrou, he chuckled. "If you want him to live, let my gang beat you up. No fighting back."
Genrou clenched his fists but brought his head up sharply when he heard a loud cry of pain. Kai had violently ripped out the knife from Houjun's shoulder. "...all right." His stance dropped and his shoulder's slumped.
"No!" Houjun struggled against Enji's grip. "Don't! Don't let them...!" But his cries were silenced as the knife was pressed up against his neck in warning.
"Stay quiet or I'll slit your throat, then his."
Genrou looked at Enji. "Jus' hurry up already."
Enji smirked. "My pleasure." He snapped his fingers, nodding towards Genrou.
The gang grinned and cracked their knuckles, flexed their muscles, and advanced on Genrou. "Right, boss."
****
Houjun couldn't take it anymore. Genrou was being beaten up, had been for the past ten minutes, and it was all because of him! If only I had fought harder... He thought. I didn't think anyone would notice let alone car that I was taken... Genrou.... Genrou, why did you come...? Why won't you fight back against them...? Why are you doing these things for me...? I'm not worth it! I'm not worth it...! A choked cry escaped Houjun's lips. "I'M NOT WORTH IT!!!"
The gang members stopped beating Genrou to look up. Enji took a step back, startled. And Kai could only blink. Weakly, Genrou raised his head to look at Houjun, one eye closed in pain as silence filled the alley. Houjun...
Tears were streaming down the side of Houjun's face. "Onegai... onegai...I'm not worth this... not worth being beat up over... Please...please, I beg of all of you...stop this..."
"Gen-chan!!!" It was Ryuuen's voice and it was getting closer.
Kai glanced at his brother. "Play time is over. We'd better leave. You got what you wanted." Dropping Houjun, the young man vanished into the shadows. Grumbling, Enji nodded for his gang to do the same as he too retreated.
Houjun crawled over to Genrou after the gang left. "Genrou...daijoubu...?"
Pulling himself into a slight sitting position, Genrou looked at him. "Gomen..." He winced then, falling sideways into Houjun.
Catching him, Houjun shook his head furiously. "Don't apologize..." He whispered, voice choked.
"I made you cry..."
"Don't apologize for that!! It's my fault..." Houjun started to cry harder. "It's my fault you got beat up..."
Genrou lifted a shaking hand, brushing some tears away. "Nothing that happened was yer fault."
A light blush crept onto Houjun's cheeks. "B-but..."
The redhead shook his head slightly, stirring flaming locks of hair. "I don't regret it."
"But you're hurt badly..."
"It only makes me stronger." Genrou grinned confidently, his fangs sticking out over his lip.
Houjun drew in a breath, shaky from tears, and smiled sadly. "...Baka no da..."
Genrou smiled but then slipped into unconsciousness, his head dropping to Houjun's chest.
"Genrou no da..!"
It was then that Ryuuen ran up with Saihitei. Glancing down at Genrou, Saihitiei then looked around at their surroundings. "We should get him somewhere safe..."
Ryuuen nodded. "We need to get him to someone's house...but I don't live closer enough..."
Houjun kept his eye on Genrou. "My apartment is nearby..."
Saihitei looked from Houjun to Genrou. "If you don't mind, may we take him to your home?"
Houjun looked up at Saihitei. "I wouldn't have said anything if I thought otherwise, no da." The shorter senior lifted Genrou into his arms, standing, showing surprising strength. "It's this way."
****
Houjun carefully balanced Genrou on one arm as he opened the door to his apartment. Upon opening the door and stepping inside, Ryuuen and Saihitei looked around in startled silence. The apartment was spacious and well furnished. It was hard to believe that Houjun could afford such a large place on his own. The inside was neat and tidy, a stack of books lay on a desk, one old looking book lay open with an ancient looking bookmark laying in the spine.
Houjun looked over his shoulder at them. "The guest room's bed isn't set up yet so I'll put him in my room." That said, the senior continued down the hallway.
As Saihitei sat on the couch, Ryuuen looked around, wandering over to the desk. He lifted the side of the book to get a good look at the title. "Ancient Chinese Myths..." He set the side of the book down again. "Interesting..." Peering down at the pages he read aloud. "The Universe of the Four Gods... This is the story of a girl who gathered the seven stars of Suzaku and made her dreams come true." Two constellations had een highlighted. The constellations of Tasuki and Chichiri. Little notes had been written near the constellations. Next to 'Tamahome' was written 'Con Man', beside 'Hotohori' was 'Emperor', by 'Nuriko' was crossdresser, 'Chichiri' had 'monk' near it, 'Tasuki' had 'bandit' near it's name, beside 'Mitsukake' was 'healer', and beside 'Chiriko' was 'genius'. Ryuuen blinked again, reading the heading of the page. "Suzaku sichiseishi..." Why is this so familiar...? The constellation of 'Nuriko' almost seemed to jump out at Ryuuen, 'Hotohori' gave him an odd feeling, he could almost hear his own voice calling "Hotohori-sama~!"
Ryuuen was brought out of his thoughts by Houjun reentering the room. "He should be fine, no da. He doesn't have any deep cuts, just bruises, scrapes, and nasty scratches, no da..."
Ryuuen breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good..."
"He should wake up soon, no da."
"Arigato, Houjun... I really appreciate this..."
Houjun smiled, head tilted, eye closed. "It's not a problem, I wanted to help."
Saihitei motioned at the apartment in general. "I'm a bit curious as to how a senior could afford a place like this on his own and still stay in school."
Walking towards the kitchen, Houjun laughed lightly. "Oh this place? I'm an artist, no da."
Ryuuen looked up at the hangings on the wall. One was of a flood, another, an odd looking mountain where bubbles floated around. Yet another was a large red bird, a phoenix. The final picture in the apartment that Ryuuen could see was of a palace type place, seeming like something out of ancient China. "You really like the ancient China thing, don't you?"
Poking his head through the doorway, Houjun smiled. "Yes..." Retreating into the kitchen, Houjun continued to talk. "Sometimes I'll have dreams, dreams about places, people, events... They all seem to take place in ancient China. It's become a hobby, almost an obsession I guess." There was the sound of dishes clinking together. "Do either of you want some hot chocolate?"
"Hai~!" Ryuuen nodded furiously even though he knew Houjun couldn't see him.
"I would like some as well." Saihitei said politely.
"Then it's two hot chocolates coming right up!"
Ryuuen giggled. "Wai~!"
****
A few minutes later, the three were sitting around Houjun's living room sipping hot chocolate. "Soo...." Ryuuen looked around. "What do you have to do around here?"
Houjun sweat dropped. "Not much... I have Monopoly..."
Saihitei blinked. "That...works..."
"I'll go get it, no da." The blue haired senior got to his feet and walked out of the room.
Ryuuen crossed his arms, walking back over to the couch, sitting next to Saihitei. "Somehow those constellations are familiar... It's odd..."
Saihitei nodded. "You're right..."
Leaning back into the couch, Ryuuen smiled. "Those two are just perfect for each other, you know?"
Saihitei nodded again. "You're right..."
"...And I'm really an alien with blue skin and seven heads."
Saihitei nodded. "You're right..." The brown haired boy blinked when Ryuuen got in his face. "Ryuuen?"
Ryuuen was frowning. "You aren't listening to me!" The violet haired senior pouted.
Saihitei smiled apologetically. "Gomen."
Ryuuen scooted back slightly, tilting his head. "What were you thinking about?"
Saihitei crossed his arms. "I'm not...exactly sure, really. But those two...just seem awfully familiar...it's weird, like I've seen them together before and yet I hadn't until we found them in the alley..."
Ryuuen looked at him then at the ceiling. "Thats...kinda what it was like when I first saw you in elementary school..." The violet haired senior giggled. "I first saw you in the...second grade and I felt like I had known you for years..."
Saihitei snapped his fingers. "You're the one who dropped the swing set on the snake that was chasing me, weren't you?"
Grinning sheepishly, Ryuuen nodded. "I swear, they don't make swing sets like they used to..."
Saihitei laughed. "No, I suppose they don't..."
Ryuuen smiled. "You have a nice laugh..." The purple haired senior froze. "I did...NOT just say that out loud..." He buried his face in his delicate hands. He looked up, startled, when Saihitei took a hold of one of his hands.
Saihitei leaned closer. "Did I mention that besides being beautiful, your eyes are gorgeous?"
Ryuuen blushed and started to say something only to find Saihitei's lips placed over his own. Shocked Ryuuen closed his eyes, leaning into the kiss.
Saihitei pulled him closer in return, wrapping his arms around Ryuuen's small frame. After a blissful eternity, the two pulled away only to hear Houjun's voice from the doorway.
"That was more amusing than any game of Monopoly, no da." The blue haired senior was leaning on the door frame, an amused look on his face as he held the board game under his arm.
Blushing, Ryuuen and Saihitei pulled away from each other further.
Saihitei glanced at Houjun. "Oh yeah? Someday we'll find you and Genrou in bed together and I'll be there to video tape it and Ryuu will take pictures."
The Monopoly box fell to the floor with a clatter. Houjun had dropped it, blushing furiously. "Y-you will not, no da!!"
Ryuuen grinned. "I've seen the way you look at him." The senior put a finger to his cheek in thought.. "And I've seen the way he looks at you." Houjun blushed harder. Ryuuen smiled, crossing his arms over his chest, looking at Houjun. "You two would make a really cute couple!"
Houjun looked away, blushing even more. "You don't know what you're talking about..."
Ryuuen grinned. "No, no, I do. One of my part-time jobs is a photographer for a gay magazine."
Saihitei laughed suddenly. "I can picture that!!"
Ryuuen also laughed. "It does seem pretty typical of me, doesn't it?"
****
Later, the three were playing a lively game of Monopoly.
"Ha! You landed on my Boardwalk hotel, no da! Pay up, na no da!" Houjun said, laughing.
Ryuuen gave him a withering look. "And I thought you were a kind person, Houjun..."
The blue haired senior laughed again. "I don't think I've laughed this much in a long time..."
Ryuuen gave him a fake glare. "So glad you're enjoying this..." The senior's fake frown cracked into a grin and Saihitei just smiled.
"I'm glad we could make you laugh. "The brunette commented as Houjun shook the dice in preparation to roll.
A creaking of d door caused the scarred senior to look up and he quickly dropped the dice and leapt to his feet, rushing over to the figure that had just walked into the room. "Genrou, no da!" The boy helped the redhead walk into the living room. "How are you feeling, no da...?
The redhead grinned a fanged grin. "Takes a lot more than that t' get rid o' me..."
Houjun smiled in relief. "I was worried, no da..." The blue haired boy hadn't moved his arms much but when he moved to help Genrou sit down, his shoulder jerked back, the boy letting out a gasp of pain as the wound in his shoulder re-opened.
Genrou looked up sharply to the boy who was clutching at his shoulder in pain. "Houjun!"
Ryuuen's eyes widened, just now noticing the blood on Houjun's shirt. "Oh gods, what happened?"
Genrou ripped off his shirt sleeve and started wrapping torn strips around Houjun's shoulder. "He got stabbed in th' shoulder when 'e knocked me outta th' way of a knife."
Houjun looked at Genrou. "Gomen..." He looked down. "...You should be resting..." The senior murmured softly.
Genrou shook his head. "I will after your shoulder is taken care of..."
"It's fine...I had forgotten about it..." Houjun protested quietly.
Saihitei touched Ryuuen's shoulder lightly. "Perhaps we should leave them alone for a while?"
Ryuuen looked up at him and smiled, nodding. "Perhaps." Glancing at the other two, Ryuuen spoke. "We're gonna take a walk."
Saihitei wrapped an arm around Ryuuen's slim waist and walked towards the door as Genrou murmured an "a'ight."
Houjun blushed as Ryuuen closed the door behind them with an encouraging wink.
Genrou moved closer to Houjun, getting in his face. "Now that we're finally alone..."
Houjun blushed harder, pulling back slightly. "H-hai?"
Genrou didn't seem to notice. "Tell me why you knocked me outta the way."
Houjun blinked slowly, not expecting that question. "What do you mean, no da...?"
Genrou grabbed both of Houjun's hands and clasped them tightly. "You coulda been killed!"
Houjun smiled slightly. "I couldn't let you get hurt, no da..." The senior trailed off, blushing. He continued quickly. "I couldn't let my new friend get killed..."
Genrou just then realized that he was still holding Houjun's hands. "G-gomen..."
Blushing, Houjun shook his head. "It's all right, no da..."
There was a long uncomfortable silence that was only broken when Houjun saw Genrou wince. "I'll go get the first aid kit..." The senior slowly got to his feet and walked down the hallway towards the bathroom.
Genrou leaned back against the bottom of the couch as he sat on the floor. "Shit..." He groaned.
Houjun came back into the room and knelt by him. Blushing slightly, Houjun fixed his gaze on the carpet. "You'll have to take your shirt off..."
Genrou nodded, pulling his shirt over his head and putting it on the floor next to him, revealing a finely toned body. Houjun shook his head, getting rid of the blush that stained his face. The senior took out a cloth and put some peroxide on it. "This will hurt..." Gently and carefully, Houjun cleaned Genrou's wounds, the redhead wincing every now and then.
"Tasuki, no da!"
Houjun blinked. Where did that come from...?
"Tasuki, no da! Hurry up, na no da!!"
Blinking again, Houjun stopped what he was doing without realizing it. That's my voice, no da... Who's Tasuki...? Red hair and fangs flashed through his mind. Then there was...Genrou. He was in a long black coat trimmed with turquoise, a fan made of metal strapped to his back. He was grinning. "Tasuki, no da!!" The image opened his arms and someone leapt into them. And that someone...
"Chichiri..." The Genrou double whispered.
Looked just like Houjun himself.
**** **** ****
^__^ R & R! Starving, runs off to get food*