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Warning: Lime

Chapter Four


Amiboshi ground his teeth, but nodded. Taking his brother by the arm, he led the group out of the shrine. Following the twins after bowing their heads in farewell to the blond general, the four men smirked as they walked along. Anubis looked at Shuten and said softly, "What do you think? Do you think they will help us in defeating the Troopers?"

Naaza snorted softly and said; "It would seem they have enough problems with their own enemies.... and each other."

"Naaza is right. We need to find a way out of here, but perhaps we could use that weakling girl to give us this power to defeat them and aid Arago-sama." Rajura said thoughtfully and Shuten smirked at him.

"Yes perhaps. But let us talk of this later." Shuten said quietly as they walked along.

Suboshi gritted his teeth, trying not to let their words get to him. He would be damned if he let anyone hurt Yui-sama! Seeing the look on his brother's face, Amiboshi instructed his twin to go to their room. "I'll show them to their quarters. Now go." The younger opened his mouth to protest, but seeing the determined look on his brother's face, left. The Mashos watched as the younger of the twins left in curiosity. Frowning thoughtfully, Shuten watched the youth known as Amiboshi and looked over at Rajura. Rajura was scowling as he glared at the youth's back. Turning, Amiboshi glared at the others, Rajura in particular. "Here are your rooms."

Bowing mockingly, Shuten sneered sarcastically, "Arigatou." They each went into their rooms, Rajura shooting one last glare at the youth before wordlessly entering his room.

Ignoring Shuten, Amiboshi waited until they were in their rooms. He then knocked, and then entered Rajura's. "If you don't mind, I'd like a word with you."

Rajura looked up and scowled. He had transformed out of his armor and now stood in a silver and purple kimono. "What do you want, boy?" he asked shortly as he sat down on his bed.

Amiboshi blinked. He hadn't expected these men to be...normal looking. "Nakago-sama is sending me out on a mission. I don't know if I'll come back. I wanted to apologize for my rude behavior. I get very protective about my brother. He's the only family I have. And I don't know if I'll see him again."

Rajura's scowl lessened a bit and he said softly, "Apology accepted. One does things to protect those who are important." He blinked in slight confusion. 'Why did I just say that?'

"I'm glad you understand." Amiboshi replied, and then frowned. Why was he glad? It didn't matter what this guy thought about him.

Rajura frowned slightly as well as he looked at the youth. Sighing softly, he sat back slightly, leaning back on his hands as he asked, "This land and this...Seiryuu. I.... could you tell me more? What is your purpose here?" 'Why am I asking such things? I don't need to know this stuff...' he thought to himself, but didn't retract the inquiries as he gestured for Amiboshi to enter in and make himself comfortable.

Amiboshi blinked. He hadn't expected this. Looking around, he frowned. This had been a storage room and had been hastily converted into a bedroom for the new arrivals. There hadn't been time to put anything in except a bed. Sighing, he took a seat next to Rajura, but a few feet away. "What did you want to know?"

Rajura fidgeted somewhat and frowned in irritation at his sudden nervousness. 'The heck is wrong with me? He's a boy!' he snarled to himself, then found himself asking softly, "Why are you here in this place? Are you involved for this...Seiryuu?"

Fidgeting as well, Amiboshi looked down, plucking at the fabric of the sheets he sat on. "Well...I'm a Shichiseishi. Seiryuu is our god. He protects the land of Kutou. His Shichiseishi are his warriors."

"Ah I see. You said that Yui was.... the priestess? What is her role?" Rajura asked as he watched the hands plucking the sheets. 'And why am I feeling so weird...'

"Yui-sama? She summons Seiryuu-seikun." Amiboshi blinked, staring up at Rajura in confusion. Wasn't that obvious?

Rajura frowned slightly and chewed on his lip, a rare nervous habit of his. "You are.... loyal to her.... and not Nakago?" he asked finally and blinked.

"Hai." Amiboshi said warily. Where was this going? "Nakago may be the shogun, but he's still just a seishi like the rest of us. I only follow his orders to protect my brother."

Nodding once, Rajura looked back down and pushed a strand of pale hair behind his ear. "These...Suzakus. They are your enemy, correct? Are they doing the same as you?" he asked as he fiddled with his kimono.

Amiboshi shrugged. "They're supposed to. They don't have all their seishi though. There's supposed to be seven. We only need one more and we can summon Seiryuu. That's why I'm going to Konan. To pose as one of their seishi and botch their summoning ceremony."

"Souka" came out softly and Rajura looked around his room before resting his gaze on Amiboshi. Amiboshi looked down, feeling...he didn't know what. Maybe these guys weren't as bad as they seemed. This Rajura seemed so easy to talk to...

"Uhm...would you do something for me? Would you watch my brother while I'm gone? I worry about him. He's headstrong but has a good heart."

Rajura blinked once, then nodded. "You have my word. I shall watch over him." he said softly, then looked down, confused.

"I...arigatou." Amiboshi fidgeted, his fingers tangling in the threads of his tunic. A soft sigh escaped Rajura's lips and he watched his hands as they played with his kimono once more. Looking up, Amiboshi stared at Rajura for a time. "You're not like you seem. Why do you act so tough all the time?"

Rajura chuckled softly and said, "I am the master of illusion. But what you see now is the truth. I have battled for so long and fought so hard that I...sometimes forget myself." he smiled sadly as he looked up at the ceiling.

"Illusion? Sounds like Tomo." Amiboshi sighed sadly. "Sometimes I wish me and Shun hadn't of been born as seishi. It is a horrible burden, knowing the fate of your people rests on your actions."

"I know the feeling. Some days I curse having taken up my armor and serving my master. I long for death some days. Other days...I wonder what my purpose is," Rajura said softly as he stared up at the ceiling, his one eye sad.

"I know why I do it. For my brother." Amiboshi replied, looking down at the sheets again. "Our parents died in a civil war when we were six. I had to take care of him ever since then. Everything I do is for him. My life has no meaning without my twin. His happiness is my happiness."

"That would seem somewhat foolish. Sometimes, one must find happiness in order to give happiness." Rajura found himself saying, then blinked. 'The hell am I doing??'

"Oh? And how do I do that?" Amiboshi asked, and then mentally slapped himself. What the hell was he doing?!

Rajura looked over at him and said, "Whatever brings you joy, Amiboshi." he let the name roll off his lips, then looked down, flustered. 'What is wrong with me!'

"I...don't know what does. Except..." Amiboshi swallowed, looking up at Rajura. "Would you...call me by my real name? Not my seishi name?"

"Your....real name?" Rajura almost whispered it, so shocked was he at the request. Real names had long since lost meaning to him. His real name had been destroyed when had taken his armor. Thus...he had no past.

"Uhm...hai..." Amiboshi found himself blushing, looking down again in embarrassment. "Amiboshi is my seishi name. My star warrior name. It wasn't the name I was born with."

"What was your real name?" Rajura blinked again, shaking himself slightly and found, much to his discomfort, a blush staining his cheeks.

"Koutoku..."

"Koutoku....a strong name." Rajura said and smiled.

"It...it is?" Amiboshi looked up uncertainly. Nodding once, Rajura stared into Amiboshi's eyes, not letting his voice speak. Amiboshi swallowed, looking back. He'd never met anyone like Rajura before. Underneath his tough exterior, he was soft and kind.

Rajura stared at Amiboshi. 'No...Koutoku.' he reminded himself, then looked down, flushing. His knuckles were white as they clutched at his kimono. Blinking, Amiboshi looked back down as well, a similar blush flowing over his cheeks. What was happening here? He didn't understand a thing of what was going on. Rajura cleared his throat. "Once upon a time....I...was known as...Kuroda....Kuroda Jirougorou." he said softly, slight tears forming at the corner of his eye as he stared at his hands. 'Why....am I saying this? Words....names....they have so much power...' he thought to himself and found himself trembling.

"Kuroda Jirougorou...it's a strong name." Amiboshi replied, using Rajura's own words. He reached out to raise the Masho's face so he could look him in the eye. His hands reached out to grasp the other's.

Staring warily at Amiboshi, Rajura smiled slightly. "Do you...believe that?" he asked softly, sounding almost to be a child as he said the words.

"Of course I do. I don't lie." Amiboshi replied softly.

Rajura smiled slightly, turning his gaze away slightly. "It is....different for me to.....believe someone so straightforward." he whispered softly, ashamed.

"I don't have time to be unobtrusive with people. If I'm not straightforward, mistakes are made. They have been in the past." Amiboshi sighed sadly. "I'm afraid that even here in the palace, a fifteen year old boy is pretty much ignored."

"That is a sad mistake for them to make." The words slipped out before Rajura could stop them and he blinked, then blushed a deep red.

"You think so?" Amiboshi smiled, tilting his head as he gazed at Rajura. "My brother would agree with you."

Clearing his throat nervously, Rajura did nothing but nod as he looked up at Amiboshi. 'Why am I acting like a scared hormonal boy!?' he tried to figure out, but was failing utterly.

"Uhm well...uh..." Amiboshi swallowed, feeling at a loss. He looked down, flushing. "I'm glad that you agreed to look after my brother. I'll be leaving...tomorrow morning."

"Must you?" Rajura whispered softly as he looked away, embarrassed at his slip and uncertain.

"I...it is Nakago-sama's orders..." Amiboshi looked up in shock. What did his words mean?

"I thought....that you served Seiryuu. Yui. Why then must you go? Couldn't you....stay here..." 'With me?' Rajura silently asked as he stared at his hands.

"I...I do. But Nakago-sama is the shogun...and I do want an end to the fighting..." Amiboshi trailed off, looking into Rajura' eyes. Was his words meant in another context? 'If only...he's so beautiful...'

"An end....that would be welcome. So many years...so much lost..." Rajura found himself whispering, finding himself doubting everything he had come to believe in...all for a boy? Looking up at Amiboshi, he smiled. 'Yes...for a boy.'

"Yes. So much lost and so much pain. That's what I want. An end to the fighting, to the destruction. I want...whatever it takes to make my brother happy, that is what I shall do." Amiboshi whispered, swallowing nervously.

"Be careful what you do. You may sacrifice too much." Rajura whispered softly, a hand unerringly finding its way up to caress a gentle path down the heart shaped face. His eye looked into Amiboshi's as he said, "Be very wary of it....you may....lose."

Closing his eyes, Amiboshi unconsciously leaned into the soft touch on his face. It was so soft and comforting. "Nothing is too much for the safety and happiness of my family."

"Don't....don't say that. Please." Rajura whispered pleadingly as his thumb caressed the soft cheek present. "You...you don't know what you may receive for such a request." His voice choked off and he pulled away, trembling.

"Why? I only speak the truth." Amiboshi whispered back, reaching out to take Rajura's hands in his gently. He closed his eyes, exhaling as he placed one hand to his cheek. He could feel Rajura's pulse through his palm. It beat as fast as his own.

Rajura watched him as he said softly, "Because...you may lose what you wish to protect. Or....you may have to sacrifice yourself for that." he brushed his fingers across the soft skin, a single tear rolling down his own cheek. 'So like me at this age...can't let it....won't let it happen again.' he thought to himself in anguish as he watched the youth.

"If I sacrifice myself for the good of my country...for the protection of my brother, then it is not something to be feared or mourned." Amiboshi smiled softly, his finger reaching out to brush the tear from Rajura's face.

"You're...so like me. I had the same ideals...so young. Now...I can't go back and the ones I had done it for are dead and gone. Killed...and cursing me from their grave. Koutoku...don't become me." Rajura whispered softly, placing both of his hands tenderly on either side of the gentle face.

"Why? I like you." Amiboshi smiled, leaning forward. "You sound tough, but inside you're not. You're right. We are a lot alike. What am I to do? Let the cycle of destruction continue?"

His eye widened as he looked at Amiboshi. Hands falling to his sides, Rajura looked down as he swallowed hard. "No...don't let it continue." he whispered softly, his mind reeling with mixed emotions.

"Don't let what continue?" Amiboshi asked, taking the opportunity to take Rajura's hands in his own.

Looking down at their hands, Rajura took a deep breath. Lacing their fingers together, he looked up at Amiboshi and said, "Don't let the sorrow and grief and pain continue, Koutoku. Don't become like me."

"I have no intention of it. That is why I have to go." Amiboshi whispered, holding the hand he held tightly. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath then brought Rajura's hand up to his and kissed the knuckles. "Arigatou."

Watching the whole time, a small whimper left Rajura's lips. "Koutoku."

"Kuroda." Amiboshi whispered, looking at the older man with innocent seeming eyes. Rajura stared into Amiboshi's eyes, then leaned slowly forward. His heart pounded as he moved slowly, leaving the option open for Amiboshi to stop him. But Amiboshi had no intention of stopping him. He felt kinship to this man, like he never had with anyone. Not even his beloved twin brother. Suboshi was brash and headstrong, where he was calm and almost pacifistic. He closed his eyes, waiting for the outcome.

His own eye closing, Rajura gently pressed his lips to Amiboshi's sweet lips and sighed softly as he tasted the youth for the first time. 'So sweet ...so innocent.' Instinctively, Amiboshi wrapped his arms around Rajura's neck, pulling himself closer. It was easily the sweetest feeling he'd ever felt in his life. A shudder went through his body and he mewed softly. Shuddering slightly as he wrapped his own arms around Amiboshi's waist, Rajura pulled him closer as he deepened the kiss. He didn't move for more, relishing in the sweet kiss as he held Amiboshi close. Moaning softly, Amiboshi returned the kiss, though clumsily. He leaned in against Rajura, letting the Masho do, as he wanted. He'd never done anything, purely for his own enjoyment. For the first time in his life, he was going to go with his emotions.

A soft moan escaped and was swallowed by Amiboshi's mouth as Rajura pressed closer, tightening his hold onto the strong body in his arms. He opened his mouth tentatively and licked lightly at the closed lips he tasted, asking very gently for permission. Moaning softly, Amiboshi clung tightly to the man beside him. Unconsciously, he opened his lips in invitation. He'd never felt such intoxicating feelings in his life. If ever there were a reason for him to rebel against Nakago, it would be the sweet taste of this man before him.

Pushing his tongue gently into the warm cavern that was so inviting, Rajura proceeded to taste and tantalize the boy he was holding. Amiboshi's eyes widened and he moaned, clutching tightly to Rajura. The sensations were like nothing he'd ever felt before. It was so wonderful. He closed his eyes and moaned plaintively. Rajura started to let his hands wander up and down the muscular back of the youth, all the while tasting the inner sanctums of Amiboshi's mouth. Pressing against Rajura, Amiboshi met Rajura's passion with his own. His whole body tingled with something he'd never felt before. It was driving him mad, and he didn't know what to do about it.

Rajura moaned softly as he ran his hands down then pushed lightly up under Amiboshi's shirt, touching the soft skin briefly for the first time. He moved his lips from the tantalizingly bruised lips and caressed his tongue down the slender chin and neck. Biting his lip, Amiboshi stifled a moan, shivering. The sensations were so sweet. He wrapped his arms around his new lover, pulling him closer.

Pulling back slightly, Rajura panted as he looked at Amiboshi, his eye darkening with passion. "Koutoku. I don't want to spoil you. But..." He bit his lip, unsure of himself for the first time in a long time.

"Spoil me?" Amiboshi blinked, then turned bright red. "Oh. It's...okay...I don't mind..." Truth was he wanted this. This would be the only thing he'd ever have to himself. Especially if things went wrong in Konan.

Leaning in so that their foreheads touched, Rajura looked into Amiboshi's eyes. "Koutoku....you are so new to this. I will make it...beyond words." he said softly and smiled tenderly.

+ Book I : Chapter Three +

+ Book I : Chapter Five +