New Life Old Bonds
By Babbling Brook42
Rating: R – for language
Disclaimer: See Prologue
I think I have covered everything….
Japanese words uses:
Hai – Yes
Sorry I did not get this chapter out sooner. I had really planed to post it last Sunday, but the weekend was packed and Moonlady, who offered to beta for me (Thank you very much), pointed out a few areas that could use improvement so I added more to it. I think it has helped the chapter greatly.
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Chapter 5 – Odd Gifts (Houjun's POV)
I am aware of his approaching ki before I catch sight of his sun bright hair in the doorway. My eyes scrutinize every inch of him before I feel the unexplained knot in my gut start to relax. He appears fine, in fact, better than before. It is like he is more at home with who he is. His ki is remarkably stronger, and his red aura dances around him like flames. It is quite a mesmerizing sight.
He pauses and smiles at me, and I am suddenly aware of my scrutiny of him. I look down to my notes.
"He is here. He is well. Do you not feel better? No da."
Hai, I do. But… why? Why do I feel better? Why did I feel bad in the first place? Why does he smile at me like that? Why do I feel breathless when he does?
"Why do you think no da?" chibi asks with mirth bubbling through his words at my bewilderment.
If I knew, would I be asking?
I am growing slightly irritated and shake my head. The light hearted laughter does not help.
"Look into your heart na no da," chibi says with a knowing finality I know means the voice will go dormant.
There is the light sound of jingling metal. It is familiar and sweet. I look up to see where it is coming from, but the sound fades before I come close to pinpointing its origin.
I sigh and focus on teaching the class. I start class talking to the normal half-interested sea of faces. I push my awareness of his vibrant ki to the edge of my consciousness. It finally settles in a corner emitting comforting, undemanding warmth. Halfway through the lecture as I write on the board, there is a sudden spike in his flame. I glance at him when I turn around to assure myself that everything is all right. For once, his eyes are looking intently at his paper instead of me. His aura dances high in a deeper red with streaks of orange. It seductively calls to me, and I find I want to answer with any of a variety of inappropriate actions.
Get a hold of yourself! He is a student. You cannot think of him in such a manner.
"Look into your heart na no da," chibi repeats happily laughing.
I pull my eyes away before others notice. I continue telling of the reign of the last emperor. I list the facts of when and how he came to the throne. I sound like I am droning to my own ears and part of my mind petitions to dwell on Genrou instead of these uninteresting facts.
Slowly the flames recede to their initial intensity. I breathe a bit easier and think a bit clearer.
Finishing my lecture, I gather my things and swiftly exit. As I walk away, I am still aware of his location. He is moving out of the room and out of the building. I expect his presence to fade as I walk to a smaller classroom at the other end of the building. It does not. I set down my books and know he is walking down the path along the north side of the main road through the university. I force myself to block any awareness of him so I can focus on teaching. I find it is easier when he is not in the same room.
The classroom fills. His sister takes her normal seat two rows back. She looks at me dreamily. Mentally I sigh at the infatuated girl. She is nothing like her brother. Her ki is drab where his dances and spins with life. STOP! I clear my mind with years of practice and focus on my job once more.
I manage to not think of him while teaching, but as soon as I am in the quiet of my office, I immediately let him fill my thoughts. The questions I have been pondering for the past months come with it.
- Why do we have this connection? What is with the symbols?
I have done research into body markings since learning the three of us have these special characters. It has been an unsuccessful search. I have waded through stacks of material on ritual body decoration. It always seems to take the form of painting, tattooing, or branding. My "well" symbol is not as permanent a mark as these.
I researched mystic symbols. It provided me with a list of symbols, "well" not included, that supposedly hold power when uses in various ways. They still require someone physically applying the symbol for it to exist. They never magically appear.
I have only recently started my search in mythology and ancient legends in the very distant chance it might hold something relevant. One never knows where the obscure bit of knowledge that will point to the answer will come from.
I lean back in my chair with my feet stretched out before me. My elbows rest on the chair arms, and my fingers form a steeple inches from my lips. I blow at my dangling bangs, and my eyes cross upwards watching the strands of blue hair dance in the air only to rest once more over my face. I swivel my chair slightly and review the sight and feel of Genrou entering the classroom.
I look at the doorway at the knock and set my Genrou pondering aside to consult with another piece of the puzzle.
"Ri-sensei, do you have a moment?" Doukun asks.
"Hai," I respond and motion for him to enter.
He shifts a bit nervously.
"How can I help you?" I ask him as I sit up and roll to the desk.
"I am assembling next semester's schedule and desire to take the subsequent philosophy class. However, the maximum number of students has already signed up. I must either wait for someone to relinquish a position in the class or be granted permission by the teacher," he swiftly explains in one breath. I am amazed that it all came out clearly. "Will you please grant me permission to join the class?"
I weigh my options under Doukun's large eager eyes. It does not take much considering. He has already exhibited an intense interest in the subject. Plus, it offers continued contact to try to learn about him and our connection.
"Hai," I respond and watch the young man light up.
He barely restrains himself from jumping like an excited child. I cannot help but chuckle with amusement. He does not let his blush of embarrassment keep him from placing the permission slip on my desk. I glance over it. He has all the needed information already filled in. All I have to do is sign it. I pull the pen from my shirt pocket and scrawl my name on the blank.
"I am surprised that a philosophy class would fill up so quickly," I comment as I hand the paper back to him.
"Well, Ri-sensei, you are a very popular teacher especially among the female population." He cocks his head thoughtfully and raises his index finger to his cheek as he pauses in thought. "I believe, for a large portion of them, their reason is not your teaching skill. A shame," he clucks his tongue.
Realization of what he said sets in. Doukun coughs and blushes flustered.
I chuckle at his accurate observation.
"I am quite aware of how some of the girls view me," I say with a friendly smile. "They do a poor job at hiding it – if they even try." I shake my head and sigh at their behaviour.
Doukun seems unsure how to respond to my statement.
"Why do you want to take the class?" I ask him.
"I thrive in the mental challenge I find philosophy offers," he answers.
I nod understandingly. This boy is a thinker, and probably very inquisitive. From my earlier research on him, I learned he is a bit of a genius, this is his second year of college, and he is only sixteen.
"Thank you, Ri-sensei," Doukun says securing the precious permission slip in his folder. "Farewell."
"Bye," I say before he walks out the door.
~=88=~ ~=88=~ ~=88=~
I finish with my last class of the day – the week actually – and head up to my office. I will be glad when finals are over next week. This week has been more wearing than any other has. I step out of the elevator and warmth fills me lifting my heart. Genrou is here and by my office. I can feel his presence. It is bright and excited. There is no way I can miss it. It is like the sun in a clear sky.
I proceed to my office. His aura dashes quickly around the corner as I near. I try to catch a glimpse of him but fail. I have no explanation for his odd behaviour. I consider calling him out. He should know I can sense him from the demonstration at the dojo. Maybe he just does not realize how far I can detect someone's ki, especially his.
I cannot fully explain to myself why I am so attuned to him. I can only imagine how poorly it would turn out trying to explain it to him. So, I act as if I am unaware of his presence hovering at the far end of the hall.
I pull out my keys to unlock my door and stop. There is an envelope taped to my door. I cautiously remove it. Turning it over I examine the item. It obviously holds an object from its bulky appearance.
Genrou's ki dances happily. He is anxious for me to open the gift. I can almost feel him shifting from foot to foot.
I glance up and down the hallway. There is the slightest blur of red disappearing around the corner where Genrou hides. I look down at the envelope to hide my smirk.
Oh, Houjun, what are you doing? You can't accept gifts from students. It is improper.
The envelope has only my name on it.
It does not say whom it's from. I have no proof who gave it to me.
I weight the envelope in my hand. Genrou's eagerness increases. I toy with the notion of not opening it or leaving it in the hall to see what he will do, but I decide to give him a brake. I lean my books against my door and slip my key along the top crease of the envelope. The soft ripping noise fills the empty hall. I curiously peer in. It only contains beads. Why would he give me beads? I dump the contents into my other hand.
The string of green and red beads coils up in my hand and threatens to slither from my grasp. I catch my pinky and thumb under the strand and let it dangle before me. Prayer beads.
I tuck the envelope under my arm and roll one of the larger green beads between the fingers of my other hand. An incantation chants in my head. I close my eyes as it rolls though my mind. I instinctively know what it will do if used. More wash over me like floodwaters. A few of them I learned in my studies; most are not. However, it is my voice filled with power chanting them.
I drop the necklace and sag against my door. Genrou is concerned but keeps himself hidden. I can tell it is taking a concerted effort on his part. I take several slow deep breaths. Cautiously I pick up the gift. Nothing more happens. I loop them around my wrist twice and gather my other belongings.
Turning to unlock the door, I can feel Genrou's happiness and pleasure at my acceptance of the trinket. I push the door open, and he is gone. I drop my books on my desk and slump into my chair.
What was that?
My hand rubs my temple trying to sooth the low throbbing. The beads softly clank together with the movement.
I focus on the gift once more. Gratefully, no more information rushes into my mind. Gingerly poking at my memory, I find the previous flood has settled into deep pools of knowledge. I know each of the incantations intimately.
Was this knowledge always within me? It feels like I have always known these things. How? Does Genrou know? Why would he give me such an unusual gift?
More questions to ponder.
I start to remove the beads from my wrist with the intent of stuffing them in the back of a drawer but cannot. I need to keep them with me. I slip them over my head. It feels right.
I resign that this is going to be one of those things that I do and do not understand the reason why. I also realize how attuned to his emotions I have become. I have never been able to read someone as well as I can him. It is not only in his ki. It is in his movements and posture. It is like I have known him for years and can tell just by the roll of his shoulders or the set of his eyes what kind of mood he is in.
But, it all comes down to what I think I am sensing. I have not tried to verify my readings. For all I know I could be reading him all wrong. It is silly to think I can know and understand so much about him.
"But you do, no da. You are right, na no da."
How do you know?
"Trust your heart no da."
You're evading my questions again!
"Daaa!" he cutely coos and vanishes.
What does my heart say?
I think about it for a bit, only to face the very familiar wall of confusion. This is all so perplexing and beyond my knowledge. There are factors and forces at play I fail to grasp and long to find. Hopefully the coming break will offer me a respite from it.
~=88=~ ~=88=~ ~=88=~
I enter the classroom carrying a stack of final tests. I take my normal place before the body of students. They are still slowly filtering in.
Genrou and his friend are already in their seats. He watches me enter as if he is looking for a difference in me. That only makes me wonder what does he know and how do I find out without sounding like a loon.
"Good afternoon, class." I call the class to order. "I have your finals here." I lift the stack of papers. "A hundred multiple choice and two short essays as promised."
The class room groans at the essay questions.
"You have two hours to complete the test and hand it in. Good luck and enjoy your break."
Genrou seems disappointed for some reason. I guess he did not find what he was hoping to in me. I find his actions and reactions are becoming – to quote Alice – "Curiouser and curiouser!"*
I hand half the stack to my student assistant. We walk up different aisle handing out the tests. The room quiets except for the rustling from the tests being passed. By the time I return to the front of the room, all the students are diligently answering questions. I sit behind the desk to grade papers and monitor their testing.
Seventy minutes later, the first test is placed on my desk and its owner exits the room. Fifteen minutes more, the bulk of the papers are returned.
Genrou hands his in at the end of the rush. Our eyes meet.
"Ri-sensei, have a nice break," he says.
His golden eyes search mine. They skim downward and alight momentarily on the string of beads barely visible under my shirt before returning to my face.
"Thank you. I am sure I will, Kou-kun. Enjoy yours as well, and best wishes on your next semester," I whole-heartedly say.
He gives me one more hopeful searching look before nodding and sadly walking away.
~=88=~ ~=88=~ ~=88=~
I spend part of my break with Hikou and Kouran. I have not seen them since their wedding, and they are happy that I came.
My first day with them, Kouran keeps giving me concerned glances.
"What's the matter, Kouran?" I ask as we sit in their small apartment.
"Nothing," she smiles and tries to dismiss the issue.
I snort knowing that there is something about me that has her concerned.
"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" I ask.
"Like what?" she innocently responds.
"Houjun's right. You have been regarding him with a very pensive look," Hikou testifies.
Kouran looks down into her lap.
"Have I?" she says.
Hikou and I both nod.
"So what do you see in our dear Houjun?" Hikou asks.
Kouran shyly lifts her eyes to look at us.
"There is something different about him." Her eyebrows furl as she squints contemplating me. She bits her lower lip before speaking. "You seem a bit more closed off. You are lacking your normal easygoing fun-loving attitude you have when we are together. I mean, you are slowly showing signs of it, but… it is like you forgot or something. Is your job and the move that hard on you?"
"It is different and takes adjusting to," I say briefly looking into her concerned eyes. "Work is not hard; I just feel I should uphold a professional image."
She gives me a measuring look. Her eyes light up as the finds a key to whatever she seeks.
"Have you made any friends, Houjun?" she asks in a demanding mother tone.
I shrug.
"A few casual acquaintances here and there," I answer. "It takes time to get to know people," I add because of the troubled looks they are both now giving me. I don't want them to feel bad for me or think they have to do something to help their "lonely" friend. "Yoichi-san, a fellow teacher, has been very kind to me and is a good source of teaching wisdom. And Hakurou-sensei has been helpful in furthering my training."
"You need a love interest," Kouran says.
"You sound like Takee," I grip furrowing my eyebrows and slightly grimacing.
"Was she trying to set you up again?" Hikou asks sounding a bit miffed.
I wave my hand in the air indicating it was not important.
"She only inquired at your wedding."
I smile reassuringly at them.
"Oh, Houjun," Kouran says plopping beside me on the couch. "You deserve someone to love and who loves you in return," she says leaning her head on my shoulder.
Genrou…
Images of the flaming haired youth assault me. I feel shaky under their onslaught and lower my head.
Kouran shifts beside me and looks into my face I am trying to hide. She lets out a small gasp.
"There is someone!" she says astounded.
I blush as I try to assure them there is no one.
"You are at least interested in someone," Hikou says leaning forward in his chair.
I find I am frozen in place as I try to find the words to intelligently and believably refute their assertions.
"Is it the one you have been waiting for? Tell us about her," Kouran pleads with happiness in her eyes.
"It's a him," Hikou says.
I look up at him in shock. He smirks knowing he is right.
My friends prod me with several more questions before I open up and tell them of Genrou and our odd connection. I can tell Kouran thinks the whole thing is romantic.
"He is no longer your student, ne?" Hikou knowingly asks.
"Hai, unless he signed up for one of my other classes" I hesitantly respond.
"I think you should pursue it," he says.
"Waaa?" I say shocked.
"That you should," Kouran adds her two cense. "You can show up at his door and sweep him off his feet. Wow him with your suave personality."
"Me suave?" I question with mirth in my voice and raise my eyebrows in doubt. "Who do you think you are talking about?"
She giggles.
"True you are not the most suave man out there, but you are very sweet and caring and fun to be with. You can make a person feel like he or she is special with the way you take interest in them. That counts for a lot," she insists resting a hand on my shoulder.
"Anyway, I never said I was interested in him romantically," I insist.
"You didn't have to," Kouran says leaning closer to me. "We see it in how you talk about him." She giggles as she touches the tip of my nose with her index finger.
I flush at the teasing.
"It is just so cute," she continues, rocks back, and clasps her hands together. "You will have to bring him for a visit so we can meet him."
I want to sink into the couch and disappear. Hikou is no help as he chuckles at my discomfort.
"We are only trying to point out what you are too stubborn to realize," Hikou says merrily.
I drop my face into my hand. I shake my head thinking, "And these are my friends."
"Can we just drop the subject?" I ask.
~=88=~ ~=88=~ ~=88=~
The new semester starts. My class load is very much the same as last semester. To add a bit of variety, one of the general history classes is a night class. It makes for an interesting schedule.
I take my place at the front of the classroom and pull out what I need for class when my eyes wander.
Stop it!
I drop my eyes to the notes before me feeling ashamed. I once more had been scanning the hallways looking for a sign of red hair. The desire to have him in class just to watch him is pulsing feverishly in the back of my mind. I have not seen nor felt his presence since his final and that leaves a hollowness in my life.
Maybe I should understand what is going on, and maybe my friends are right. But, I do not what to acknowledge the truth for various reasons. Main one being, it would jeopardize my job to date a student. I grudgingly admit that is where my interest would lead me if given the chance. How can I risk something so large for a boy I barely know? On the other hand, I have never felt anything like this for anyone ever, and it is frightening.
"But he is not your student anymore, no da," chibi points out.
It seams to be a recurring theme in my life that pokes at the small feeble shield I use as an excuse.
It would still be suspicious. The entire department is still jumpy at the slightest hint of improper fraternization.
"Not as much as they were no da."
True. But, is it worth the risk?
"Look into your heart no da."
I can not help but roll my eyes at that bit of advice.
Even if I think it might be worth the risk, would he be interested?
"Da!" Chibi says amused and slightly disbelieving that I would think he would not.
I can feel his secretive smirk.
"Ya don't know till ya try," he says sounding very much like Genrou, "no da," till the end.
I get a hold of myself and casually scan the class. I smile as I see Doukun take a seat. He nods back and pulls out his books.
~=88=~
I wander campus killing time between grabbing dinner and my evening class. My thoughts rotate around their normal star – Genrou.
"Seek him out, no da. You know you want to, na no da."
The suggestion is highly tempting. Oh, so very tempting. But, confusion and doubt about the whole situation holds me back. I do not like going into situations I do not understand.
A group of students emerge from the cafeteria. My eyes drift to them and the irritated ki. Genrou stomps out after flinging the glass door open. He is not pleased about something. His navy haired friend is only a few steps behind him and hurrying to keep up. Just behind him is Genrou's sister. She is saying something I cannot hear across the expanse that separates us. She seems amused with herself as they cross the parking lot. She manages to catch his sleeve and call him to a halt. Whatever she says causes Genrou's ki to lash about.
"Just stop y'r fucking meddling in my life!" he yells and pulls his sleeve from her grasp before storming away into one of the dormitories.
I continue to stare at the building that swallowed him from my sight, but it cannot hide his ki from me. I track it to the second floor. My eyes skim across each window as he passes by each one. He finally stops and moments later a light is turned on in the room I am watching. I see his friend sit down by the window. Not long after Genrou appears highly animated as he talks. He seems to be pacing since he passes in and out of my sight. He finally collapses in a chair in a brooding manner. I watch the scene a few minutes more. I take a couple steps towards the building before reminding myself of the class I must teach soon.
I force myself to turn and finish my trek to my office. I enter the building and take the elevator to the third floor. As I walk down the hallway to my office, Orika-san enters the hall pulling her door shut behind her. Her keys rattle as she locks the door. She pulls the keys out of the lock and turns to see me approaching.
"Kid," she greets. "You appear to be handling the beginning of this semester better than the last one," she says taking in my appearance.
I stop before her.
"It is more familiar and not as overwhelming this time," I answer.
Her responding chuckles are course and gravely from her smoking.
"We might make a seasoned teacher out of you yet," she says with a lopsided smile and a wink.
I cannot help but smile and laugh in return.
"And toward that goal, you have a night class this semester don't you?" she asks.
"Hai, Orika-san. It starts in…," I glance at my watch, "thirty minutes."
"Well, that is enough time for you to see Fumiko. He was looking for you earlier," she says.
"I will see what he wants before he leaves," I say before bowing to her. "Goodnight, Orika-san."
"Night, kid," she says as she pulls a package of cigarettes from her coat pocket. She shakes a white stick into her other hand. "See you tomorrow," she closes as she puts it in her mouth and walks away.
I walk the opposite way. The smell of smoke drifting down the hallway tells me she has lit her cigarette. I enter the department office. The secretaries have already gone home for the night, but the light in my boss' office tells me he is still in. I walk past the empty reception desks and to Fumiko's door. I rap on its frame causing him to look up.
"Ri!" he says sounding a bit surprised.
"Orika-san said you wanted to speak with me," I say and enter at his beckoning.
"That I do," he says nodding. "You will be happy to know you will have two student assistants this semester to help with the grading for you general history classes."
I am slightly shocked at the news but take it in stride. I had only one last semester, and he was a great help in conquering the mountains of paperwork. Two would be even better. I smile at the news.
"Who are they?" I ask curious.
"One of them is Ohkawa Amiri."
I do not recognize the name.
"Have I met her?" I ask.
"Probably not," Fumiko answers. "The other one you have – Ou Doukun. I believe you have him in class."
"Hai," I answer. "Very intelligent young man," I comment.
"That he is," Fumiko says. "Full of promise. Anyway, they will be contacting you about it."
I nod before Fumiko dismisses me.
My steps to my office seem a bit lighter with the news of this serendipitous arraignment.
In the short time I have known Doukun, he has impressed me with his intelligence and charmed me with his naivety. He seems to bring out my instinct to encourage and protect – much along the lines of an older brother. I cannot think of a better circumstance to get to know him and look forward to it.
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Author and Review Comments:
* Quote from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland first line of chapter 2.
One of my favorite quotes from the book next to the conversation between Alice and the Cheshire-Cat in chapter 6…
"Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat: "we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad."
"How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here."
Hee hee ho ho hee hee – Ok. The men with the nice white jacket with really long sleeves will be coming soon to take me away. ^_^
On a more serious note…. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the thirteen reviews on the previous chapter. glomp I love you people!
ShinigamiGod of Death: The answer to your list of questions:
1.OK DO TASUKI AND CHICHIRI WELL GET TO GETHER AFTER CHICHIRI REMEMBERS?
No clear-cut answer. (sounds sort of like a magic 8 ball answer ne. ^_^)
2.HOW DOSE CHIRIKO REACT TO THE ADVANCE THAT TASUKI CHOSES TO CONFRONT HIM IN?(now hope that makes sense)
Tasuki will not be the first one to find Chiriko.
3. HOW DO THEY FIND HOTOHORI?
Through a friend.
4.DOSE MITTSUKAKE REMEMBER BY HIMSELF OR DOSE TASUKI GO TO THE HOSPITAL TO REMIND HIM OR DOSE TASUKI GET IN TRUBLE AGAIN AND HAS TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL?
There is a stimulus in Mitsukake remembering, but it does not involve Tasuki being injured again.
5.DOSE TASUKIS SISTER HAVE A CRUSH ON CHICHIR?
Naturally! 6_6 Wouldn't you? … *wisper* She also idolizes Nuriko – but that is farther along in the story.
6.DOSE TASUKI GET HELP FROM CHICHIRI IN FINDING MIAKA AND TAMAHOME/TAKA?
More the other way around.
7.IS NURIKO EVEN IN JAPAN AT ALL?
Yes, he is.
8.DO THE PRAYOR BEADS HELP BRING CHICHIRIS MEMORY OF A BEING A SUZAKU WARRIOR A BIT OR THE WHOLE THING?
A bit - sort of. You'll see next chapter. ^_~
9.WHAT HAPPENS TO KOJI WILL HE REMEMBER THE PAST ABOUT HIM BEING A BANDIT?
I do not have it planed for him to remember. I will take it under consideration.
10.AND WHAT DID YOU MEAN BY NURIKO BEING ADOPTED BY TASUKI AND CHICHRI?(that threw me out of the loop)
In their second life together… they are reborn as Taek-soon & Jen-Yue in the land of Koran. Tasuki is a blacksmith. Chichiri shows up one day injured and one of the few survivors of his village. Tasuki's sister tends to Chichiri till he is better. At the insistence of his only sister, Tasuki takes Chichiri on as an apprentice. They fall in love. Later on they adopt an orphan girl who is Nuriko reincarnated. How he knows it is Nuriko and not his sister – I don't know. (Hmm… Their meeting and falling in love might be a good story to turn into a full-blown fic.)
Their third life together… they are born in Ireland. Tasuki is part of the clan Hotohori rules, and Chichiri is a druid. They meet when Tasuki is fleeing from a rival clan. Chichiri helps him return home and their relationship starts. Unfortunately, this time they are the ones to meet with the tragic end, ;_; and die together on the battlefield.
Their fourth life together… is this story obviously.
Does that clear things up? The story will include more of their past lives' history much later.
Riina: Thanks, I try. As for the next to awake, you will have to wait a few more chapters and see… ^_~
Moonraven: I aim to please. ^_^ I tried to be creative in giving them other lives.
Rath: I am only up to volume nine in DK. Ten and eleven will be Christmas gifts. ^_^
Kitsuna-Ri: Making the prayer beads is a task that would try Tasuki's patience, but it is all for his love. ^_~
Chiri getting his memory back is a long time coming, but don't let it get you down because it only makes the interaction between the two that much more fun.
Sometimes it can be hard to update or be in the right mood to write a story. I have one in another fandom that I just cannot get motivated to finish.
Xellas: Glad you are still with us. ^_^
As you know from reading this chapter, we are at the end of the semester and starting the new one. If you are interested, the approximate breakdown of the first semester is: around week 2 – Genrou's story idea is due; week 3 – Genrou writing the poem; week 5 – Genrou hands in his sister's story; week 6 – they meet at the dojo; week 10 – their sparing session; week – 12 Genrou's accident; week 15/16 – making and giving of prayer beads; week 16/17 finals.
If fanfic writing were only a paying job… Sigh I guess, I will have to write something original if I want paid for it.
No problem with the rant. You have a valid point. No matter how much we are enthralled with a story and want the writer to post more so we can finish reading it, the writer has other obligations and demands on his/her time.
Keimei: Skipping a few chapters is all right. I can't hold it against you because I am just as guilty. It is just nice to hear from the readers every so often.
I have covered a lot of time (see my response to Xellas for a rough timeline), and yes, it is to move the story along.
Chichiri is not fully back till almost the end of the story.
Oh… we will get to see all of the Suzaku seishi! They will be introduced in the coming chapters.
I think the possibility of other lives prior to their current one is often overlooked. I think it will affect Kouji, plus make for at lead one comical (hopefully) exchange between Tasuki and Nuriko.
Kouryou Sanomi: I am attributing Genrou's acceptance of his memories to being in a coma. He struggled with all that as he drifted in and out of consciousness. Plus on some level he was aware of his life as Tasuki. Maybe that is not the best explanation, and now that you pointed it out, I see I could have delved into that a bit more. I guess I was more focused on getting them together. ^_^ I have had one over person point that out as well. I might go back and rework that chapter during my week off at Christmas if I get a chance.
Akirasamoji: Hotohori is somewhat important.
You are the second person to ask if Kouji would get his memory back so I am considering it. I don't know if I can work it into what I already have planned, but we will see. ^_^
Dragon Knights is great! It is cute and comical with a darkening plot. No, I did not know there were image songs for the three adorable Dragon Knights. glomps all three of them
The Shadow Scribe: "Joys" of College Life – been there, done that, just tried to picture it from the teacher's POV. ^_^
Sansele: Glad you found the story and liked it. You are the second person to mention Tasuki not freaking out. See my response to Kouryou Sanomi if you have not already.
Amkika-san: Thanks. I do try to make it different from other storied and still stay mostly within the confines of the original FY story premise. Good luck on overcoming your writer's block.
