~An American Miko~
Chapter Twenty-Two
The Road Home
Myst yawned as she put the last pack onto her horse. The rest of the seishi were doing the same while the two bandit leaders who were coming with them were roughhousing with the rest of the bandits.
Even Hakurou was now in a headlock, his hair having come out of it's binding at the base of his skull and hanging in and around his face. Other men piled around him trying to hold him still.
Myst watched amused as more than ten bandits crowded around him, blocking him from view. She then watched in slight awe as Hakurou gave a deep roar and threw his men off of him, a ferocious look on his face, his hair almost seeming to be alive as it flew up and around him as if tossed by a mighty wind.
Hakurou whirled and landed his fist in the first bandit's jaw, planting the man on his back where he lay until his head cleared. Hakurou laughed and Tasuki clapped him on the back.
The bandit on the ground shook his head finally and looked up at Hakurou. "Good one boss. Ain't been hit like that fer a long time."
Hakurou helped him up and punched him lightly on the shoulder. "We should be going now."
The other bandit's faces turned sad at that. "We'll miss ya boss. It won't be the same without you or Genrou."
Tasuki smirked. "What? Yer tellin' me that ya don't think old Kouj' can cut it? Ha! He's one of the guy that helped whip my ass inta shape. 'Sides, he's only leader till I get back, right boss?"
Hakurou shook his head. "You are right about that Genrou, but you're the real boss now. Call me Hakurou. That goes the same for the rest of you lot."
The bandits all nodded, but it was Kouji who spoke. "Damn. That's gonna take a lot of gettin' used to. Well I'll hold down the fort till ya get back Genrou. Take care of yourself. Both of ya."
The rest of the bandits nodded in agreement and Hakurou and Tasuki grinned. They turned as one and mounted they're horses.
The seishi and miko were already mounted and waiting for them as the two bandits caught up to them. Myst and Hotohori were once again in the lead with the rest behind them.
Myst beckoned the two bandits to her. As they caught up, she nodded with a smile. "All right Hakurou, Tasuki, take us down the mountain."
Tasuki nodded with a smirk and Hakurou whipped his horse around with a shout, making rear and squeal, then peeled off down the trail. Tasuki waited for Myst to go first.
Myst gave a trilling cry that chilled everyone's blood, whipped her own horse around as well, and peeled off after Hakurou with an almost insane look on her face, her gleaming sword raised high.
The rest of the seishi stared after them for a moment. Tasuki's eyes were wide as he said, "What a scary woman."
Hotohori and Nuriko laughed loudly at that and spurred their horses after them, still laughing. The rest of the seishi took off as well and followed down the mountain. As they reached a wider and less steep trail near the bottom they slowed to a more sedate pace.
Myst had already sheathed her sword a while back and now sidled up beside Hakurou. Both were wearing matching grins. Myst smiled over at Hakurou as he closed his eyes and tilted his face up to the sun.
Hakurou breathed the fresh air deeply. "It feels so good to be out and riding again." He looked at her with a suspicious looking shine in his brown eyes. "I would not have this day if it was not for your kindness. You will always have all of my loyalty and anything else you ask for that is mine to give. Even though I am not one of your seishi, I will use all that I am to serve and protect you."
Myst blushed and patted his leg. "Why do people always go all noble and speechy on me." She shrugged and briefly squeezed one of his hands. "Thank you my friend, and know that anything you do for me, I will always do for you as well and more."
He smiled at her and nodded. She smirked and pulled her horse back to ride between Hotohori and Nuriko and let Tasuki move into her former place. Myst looked at her husband and sighed.
He tilted his head at her. "Is something wrong?"
Myst shrugged. "I want to cuddle." Then a thought struck her. "Move back n the saddle a little more would you? Nuriko-sweet, would you take my horses reigns please?"
The two did so without asking. Even Hakurou and Tasuki turned in their saddles to stare at her as she stood on her saddle, grabbed one of Hotohori's shoulders, stepped over, then dropped down in front of Hotohori facing him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms up under his, then laid her head against his chest. She snuggled against him and hugged him tighter. She combed her fingers through his silky hair, which was still in it's loose ponytail and sighed again in contentment.
Hotohori smiled and let go of the reigns with one hand to wrap it tightly around her. He kissed her hair. "Is that better now?"
Myst chuckled and tilted her face to look up at him. "Much. I don't know, I just like hugging you."
He nodded. "I enjoy it as well."
Tasuki shivered and turned back to look at the road ahead of them. "Yuck! Suzaku I can't stand women! And now one has pussy-whipped the emperor of our country!" Suddenly a large branch hit him in the back of the head. "Gaaa! What the fuck?!" He twisted around in the saddle again, holding his head.
Myst still had her arm flung out from throwing said branch and was twisted around to glare at him over her shoulder. She growled at him again. "Do I have to kick your ass again bandit boy? Then we'll see who's pussy- whipped!"
Tasuki turned back around still rubbing his head after one last glare at her.
Myst frowned and shook her head. "Ah, he's no fun now, he won't fight back.." She shrugged then turned back to Hotohori. She brushed her fingers against his temples, then back through his hair. She laid her left hand against the back of his neck, and the other hand against his cheek. Her thumb caressed his smooth cheek as she looked deep into his eyes. Love shone back at her and she felt her own eyes reflect it back. She leaned forward as she pulled him to her, though it wasn't necessary, and kissed him firmly. She breathed in deeply as she tasted her beloved husband's lips. Both of their eyes closed as the world around them dropped away.
Hotohori let go of the reigns completely, trusting his horse to just follow the others, and wrapped his arms tightly around his wife's slim body. He snaked his tongue out and she gladly opened her own mouth to dance her tongue around his. Hotohori spread his palms out on her back and pressed her tighter against him.
Myst tightened her limbs around him and gripped a handful of his hair tightly in her left hand. She kissed him hard for a moment then pulled his head away from her. She pulled down on his hair to tilt his head back.
He gave a half gasp, half moan and she kissed his jaw and then down his throat. She nipped at his pulse there and began sucking on the smooth column. Hotohori's breath shuddered out and his eyes fluttered out in pleasure as her hands flowed over his shoulders to caress his chest. His hands firmly caressed her back and waist and he gave an involuntary moan and a shiver as her thumbs began caressing and pressing on his nipples through his clothing.
Myst kissed and nipped and nibbled on the smooth slightly sweaty skin of his neck as his breath became heavier and his whole body trembled. After a little while longer he tilted his head back down and captured her lips in a full blown passionate kiss that left them both breathless.
They broke the kiss and both of them gasped for breath as they clung to each other. Finally Hotohori breathed out, "No more. No more."
Myst pulled back and cupped his cheek in her right palm and gazed, still breathless into his golden eyes. She laid her forehead against his as the fingers of one of his hands combed through her hair. "No. No more. Too much. Not until later."
He nodded and kissed her briefly again. She tucked her head back under his chin and listened to his heartbeat slow to normal. She smiled as she felt him shift and try to calm down the sign of his passion which was pressing against her. She felt him sigh again as he took the reigns back in one hand, but kept the other tightly around her. With her arms around him, she could stroke his hair and he spoke softly.
His words were directed at her, but the others could hear as well. "I have never been so happy. I never even dreamed this level of heaven was possible. All is right in my world, right now, at this moment. I am loved for who I am, I have friends who are my equals, and all of them are well. I am a father of a beloved, beautiful, bright son. I have a wife who is also my equal in everything and who I love more than anything. I know that if anything were to ever happen to me that my people would still have a strong, firm leader in you. I am able to ride through my country as one of the people and have pride in those people. I have everything my heart has ever longed for. I am content."
After that, they rode in silence, for words were not necessary. All had smiles on their faces.
**********
Tasuki sighed and slumped forward on his horse. "Aaahhhhhhh. I'm so tired!"
Hakurou nodded in agreement, however the only sign that showed that he was tired was the frown that tugged at his mouth. "We all are, but there's no place to stop right now." He looked back to see the rest of the seishi partially slouched as well.
Myst was now turned sidesaddle and was asleep against her husband's chest, cradled in his arms. Sometime before dark, someone had wrapped a warm cloak around her.
Hakurou turned around again, then squinted tired eyes. "I think I see a village ahead."
All the seishi perked up at this and Tamahome lightly exclaimed, "This is my village! We can stop and sleep at my families house! It's not much, but it's somewhere warm with beds."
They nodded and Hotohori nudged his horse into a faster pace, careful not to wake his sleeping bundle. "Lead the way Tamahome."
"With pleasure Your Majesty."
With that, they cantered into the sleeping village. When they arrived in the small yard, all but Hotohori dismounted. He gently handed Myst down to Nuriko. The tired Empress mumbled something incoherent, and snuggled her face into Nuriko's neck. Nuriko smiled and kissed her cheek as Hotohori dismounted. The Emperor took his wife back into his arms. This time all she did was sigh.
Chichiri looked over at her. "She must be very tired, more so than the rest of us perhaps no da. She never sleeps through anything, let alone being passed around no da."
Tamahome returned from lighting candles in the house. "Well, all the beds are made, there's extra linen out and Your Majesties, you get the bed in the corner."
Hotohori nodded. "Thank you." The he yawned loudly.
Mitsukake touched his arm. "Why don't you take Mistyc and go to bed. We'll take care of your horses."
Hotohori nodded his thanks and without another word walked into the house. He set Myst down on the bed, undressed her then slipped her nude body beneath the clean covers. He shed his own clothing which suddenly felt dirty against his skin, and slipped naked under the covers so that he lay touching his beloved wife.
Myst moaned in her sleep and curled in closer to the warmth of his body.
He smiled in near bliss and bundled her up to lay in his arms, draped across his strong, broad chest.
The rest of the group filed into the house quietly and went to their respective places of sleep or rest. Nuriko walked over, laid a hand on Hotohori's, which was resting on Myst's bare shoulder, and knelt by the bed.
Hotohori looked at him with tired but loving eyes and smiled. Nuriko smiled back and leaned over to give Myst a kiss on the lips. He pulled back and was about to get up when Hotohori lightly gripped his hand. Words were not needed and Nuriko smiled and nodded. He leaned forward and lightly kissed the Emperor on the corner of the mouth.
When he pulled back Hotohori spoke softly. "Goodnight Little Love."
Nuriko smiled widely and he squeezed Hotohori's hand as his eyes took on a misty look. This was the first time that Hotohori had ever used an endearment for him, and to use the one that Myst had given him proved that even without Myst, he loved and cherished him. Nuriko returned the affection in a similar way. "Sweet dreams Saihitei."
Hotohori smiled and his eyes fluttered closed as sleep took him. Nuriko looked on and held his hand for a few minuets longer, then gently disentangled his fingers from his friend's and retired to his own bed, swiftly following them into the land of dreams.
**********
A.N.: Okay, now that college is out for a bit, that actually took me a little longer than I thought to write. Weird huh? Well, the next chapter is coming soon. I'll see you later! Enjoy!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman
Myst yawned as she put the last pack onto her horse. The rest of the seishi were doing the same while the two bandit leaders who were coming with them were roughhousing with the rest of the bandits.
Even Hakurou was now in a headlock, his hair having come out of it's binding at the base of his skull and hanging in and around his face. Other men piled around him trying to hold him still.
Myst watched amused as more than ten bandits crowded around him, blocking him from view. She then watched in slight awe as Hakurou gave a deep roar and threw his men off of him, a ferocious look on his face, his hair almost seeming to be alive as it flew up and around him as if tossed by a mighty wind.
Hakurou whirled and landed his fist in the first bandit's jaw, planting the man on his back where he lay until his head cleared. Hakurou laughed and Tasuki clapped him on the back.
The bandit on the ground shook his head finally and looked up at Hakurou. "Good one boss. Ain't been hit like that fer a long time."
Hakurou helped him up and punched him lightly on the shoulder. "We should be going now."
The other bandit's faces turned sad at that. "We'll miss ya boss. It won't be the same without you or Genrou."
Tasuki smirked. "What? Yer tellin' me that ya don't think old Kouj' can cut it? Ha! He's one of the guy that helped whip my ass inta shape. 'Sides, he's only leader till I get back, right boss?"
Hakurou shook his head. "You are right about that Genrou, but you're the real boss now. Call me Hakurou. That goes the same for the rest of you lot."
The bandits all nodded, but it was Kouji who spoke. "Damn. That's gonna take a lot of gettin' used to. Well I'll hold down the fort till ya get back Genrou. Take care of yourself. Both of ya."
The rest of the bandits nodded in agreement and Hakurou and Tasuki grinned. They turned as one and mounted they're horses.
The seishi and miko were already mounted and waiting for them as the two bandits caught up to them. Myst and Hotohori were once again in the lead with the rest behind them.
Myst beckoned the two bandits to her. As they caught up, she nodded with a smile. "All right Hakurou, Tasuki, take us down the mountain."
Tasuki nodded with a smirk and Hakurou whipped his horse around with a shout, making rear and squeal, then peeled off down the trail. Tasuki waited for Myst to go first.
Myst gave a trilling cry that chilled everyone's blood, whipped her own horse around as well, and peeled off after Hakurou with an almost insane look on her face, her gleaming sword raised high.
The rest of the seishi stared after them for a moment. Tasuki's eyes were wide as he said, "What a scary woman."
Hotohori and Nuriko laughed loudly at that and spurred their horses after them, still laughing. The rest of the seishi took off as well and followed down the mountain. As they reached a wider and less steep trail near the bottom they slowed to a more sedate pace.
Myst had already sheathed her sword a while back and now sidled up beside Hakurou. Both were wearing matching grins. Myst smiled over at Hakurou as he closed his eyes and tilted his face up to the sun.
Hakurou breathed the fresh air deeply. "It feels so good to be out and riding again." He looked at her with a suspicious looking shine in his brown eyes. "I would not have this day if it was not for your kindness. You will always have all of my loyalty and anything else you ask for that is mine to give. Even though I am not one of your seishi, I will use all that I am to serve and protect you."
Myst blushed and patted his leg. "Why do people always go all noble and speechy on me." She shrugged and briefly squeezed one of his hands. "Thank you my friend, and know that anything you do for me, I will always do for you as well and more."
He smiled at her and nodded. She smirked and pulled her horse back to ride between Hotohori and Nuriko and let Tasuki move into her former place. Myst looked at her husband and sighed.
He tilted his head at her. "Is something wrong?"
Myst shrugged. "I want to cuddle." Then a thought struck her. "Move back n the saddle a little more would you? Nuriko-sweet, would you take my horses reigns please?"
The two did so without asking. Even Hakurou and Tasuki turned in their saddles to stare at her as she stood on her saddle, grabbed one of Hotohori's shoulders, stepped over, then dropped down in front of Hotohori facing him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms up under his, then laid her head against his chest. She snuggled against him and hugged him tighter. She combed her fingers through his silky hair, which was still in it's loose ponytail and sighed again in contentment.
Hotohori smiled and let go of the reigns with one hand to wrap it tightly around her. He kissed her hair. "Is that better now?"
Myst chuckled and tilted her face to look up at him. "Much. I don't know, I just like hugging you."
He nodded. "I enjoy it as well."
Tasuki shivered and turned back to look at the road ahead of them. "Yuck! Suzaku I can't stand women! And now one has pussy-whipped the emperor of our country!" Suddenly a large branch hit him in the back of the head. "Gaaa! What the fuck?!" He twisted around in the saddle again, holding his head.
Myst still had her arm flung out from throwing said branch and was twisted around to glare at him over her shoulder. She growled at him again. "Do I have to kick your ass again bandit boy? Then we'll see who's pussy- whipped!"
Tasuki turned back around still rubbing his head after one last glare at her.
Myst frowned and shook her head. "Ah, he's no fun now, he won't fight back.." She shrugged then turned back to Hotohori. She brushed her fingers against his temples, then back through his hair. She laid her left hand against the back of his neck, and the other hand against his cheek. Her thumb caressed his smooth cheek as she looked deep into his eyes. Love shone back at her and she felt her own eyes reflect it back. She leaned forward as she pulled him to her, though it wasn't necessary, and kissed him firmly. She breathed in deeply as she tasted her beloved husband's lips. Both of their eyes closed as the world around them dropped away.
Hotohori let go of the reigns completely, trusting his horse to just follow the others, and wrapped his arms tightly around his wife's slim body. He snaked his tongue out and she gladly opened her own mouth to dance her tongue around his. Hotohori spread his palms out on her back and pressed her tighter against him.
Myst tightened her limbs around him and gripped a handful of his hair tightly in her left hand. She kissed him hard for a moment then pulled his head away from her. She pulled down on his hair to tilt his head back.
He gave a half gasp, half moan and she kissed his jaw and then down his throat. She nipped at his pulse there and began sucking on the smooth column. Hotohori's breath shuddered out and his eyes fluttered out in pleasure as her hands flowed over his shoulders to caress his chest. His hands firmly caressed her back and waist and he gave an involuntary moan and a shiver as her thumbs began caressing and pressing on his nipples through his clothing.
Myst kissed and nipped and nibbled on the smooth slightly sweaty skin of his neck as his breath became heavier and his whole body trembled. After a little while longer he tilted his head back down and captured her lips in a full blown passionate kiss that left them both breathless.
They broke the kiss and both of them gasped for breath as they clung to each other. Finally Hotohori breathed out, "No more. No more."
Myst pulled back and cupped his cheek in her right palm and gazed, still breathless into his golden eyes. She laid her forehead against his as the fingers of one of his hands combed through her hair. "No. No more. Too much. Not until later."
He nodded and kissed her briefly again. She tucked her head back under his chin and listened to his heartbeat slow to normal. She smiled as she felt him shift and try to calm down the sign of his passion which was pressing against her. She felt him sigh again as he took the reigns back in one hand, but kept the other tightly around her. With her arms around him, she could stroke his hair and he spoke softly.
His words were directed at her, but the others could hear as well. "I have never been so happy. I never even dreamed this level of heaven was possible. All is right in my world, right now, at this moment. I am loved for who I am, I have friends who are my equals, and all of them are well. I am a father of a beloved, beautiful, bright son. I have a wife who is also my equal in everything and who I love more than anything. I know that if anything were to ever happen to me that my people would still have a strong, firm leader in you. I am able to ride through my country as one of the people and have pride in those people. I have everything my heart has ever longed for. I am content."
After that, they rode in silence, for words were not necessary. All had smiles on their faces.
**********
Tasuki sighed and slumped forward on his horse. "Aaahhhhhhh. I'm so tired!"
Hakurou nodded in agreement, however the only sign that showed that he was tired was the frown that tugged at his mouth. "We all are, but there's no place to stop right now." He looked back to see the rest of the seishi partially slouched as well.
Myst was now turned sidesaddle and was asleep against her husband's chest, cradled in his arms. Sometime before dark, someone had wrapped a warm cloak around her.
Hakurou turned around again, then squinted tired eyes. "I think I see a village ahead."
All the seishi perked up at this and Tamahome lightly exclaimed, "This is my village! We can stop and sleep at my families house! It's not much, but it's somewhere warm with beds."
They nodded and Hotohori nudged his horse into a faster pace, careful not to wake his sleeping bundle. "Lead the way Tamahome."
"With pleasure Your Majesty."
With that, they cantered into the sleeping village. When they arrived in the small yard, all but Hotohori dismounted. He gently handed Myst down to Nuriko. The tired Empress mumbled something incoherent, and snuggled her face into Nuriko's neck. Nuriko smiled and kissed her cheek as Hotohori dismounted. The Emperor took his wife back into his arms. This time all she did was sigh.
Chichiri looked over at her. "She must be very tired, more so than the rest of us perhaps no da. She never sleeps through anything, let alone being passed around no da."
Tamahome returned from lighting candles in the house. "Well, all the beds are made, there's extra linen out and Your Majesties, you get the bed in the corner."
Hotohori nodded. "Thank you." The he yawned loudly.
Mitsukake touched his arm. "Why don't you take Mistyc and go to bed. We'll take care of your horses."
Hotohori nodded his thanks and without another word walked into the house. He set Myst down on the bed, undressed her then slipped her nude body beneath the clean covers. He shed his own clothing which suddenly felt dirty against his skin, and slipped naked under the covers so that he lay touching his beloved wife.
Myst moaned in her sleep and curled in closer to the warmth of his body.
He smiled in near bliss and bundled her up to lay in his arms, draped across his strong, broad chest.
The rest of the group filed into the house quietly and went to their respective places of sleep or rest. Nuriko walked over, laid a hand on Hotohori's, which was resting on Myst's bare shoulder, and knelt by the bed.
Hotohori looked at him with tired but loving eyes and smiled. Nuriko smiled back and leaned over to give Myst a kiss on the lips. He pulled back and was about to get up when Hotohori lightly gripped his hand. Words were not needed and Nuriko smiled and nodded. He leaned forward and lightly kissed the Emperor on the corner of the mouth.
When he pulled back Hotohori spoke softly. "Goodnight Little Love."
Nuriko smiled widely and he squeezed Hotohori's hand as his eyes took on a misty look. This was the first time that Hotohori had ever used an endearment for him, and to use the one that Myst had given him proved that even without Myst, he loved and cherished him. Nuriko returned the affection in a similar way. "Sweet dreams Saihitei."
Hotohori smiled and his eyes fluttered closed as sleep took him. Nuriko looked on and held his hand for a few minuets longer, then gently disentangled his fingers from his friend's and retired to his own bed, swiftly following them into the land of dreams.
**********
A.N.: Okay, now that college is out for a bit, that actually took me a little longer than I thought to write. Weird huh? Well, the next chapter is coming soon. I'll see you later! Enjoy!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman