New Life Old Bonds

By Babbling Brook42

Rating: R – for language

Disclaimer: See Prologue

Japanese words uses:

Arigato

Hai – Yes

Kuso – Swear word similar to "shit" or "bloody hell"

Sayonara – Good-bye

Thanks to Moonlady for beta-reading for me.

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Chapter 7 – Where an Encounter in the Park Leads (Houjun's POV)

It's Saturday, and I find myself walking aimlessly through downtown and the park.  The temperature is moderate making for a good day to wander.  I enjoy wandering.  It gives me time to think and appreciate my surroundings. 

I enter the park like I have a hundred times since I moved here and am instantly alert to his presence.  Genrou is here.  My mutinous feet move me in his direction.  I stop outside the ice rink.  I locate him immediately between his ki and his red hair.  He is gliding across the ice with someone he obviously cares about. 

There is a twinge in my chest that I attribute to my lunch.

I watch them loop around the rink.  The woman is clearly enjoying herself.  I cannot help but share in the joy she radiates.  Genrou says something to her and is not pleased with her response.  More words are exchanged and they exit.  I know I should leave, but I continue to watch them.  She gets something to eat while Genrou returns the skates.

As she returns to Genrou, a group of boys pass her.  I watch taking in all as it moves slowly frame by frame.  The boy obviously intends the girl harm.  Genrou seems to notice this.  Instantly he radiates large amounts of power.  More than I have ever sensed from him before.  This time I can see the symbol glow through his clothing.  In an instant he is between the girl and the boy.

I move closer drawn to the scene.

Genrou stops the boy's second assault with lightning quick moves and tosses him away.

The boy's "friends" doubled back and have the two surrounded.  I know Genrou is an excellent fighter, but the odds do not look good in his favor especially if he wants to protect the girl, which is obviously his goal from his stance.

The girl stands behind him.  Fear creases her face momentarily and is replaced with faith in her protector.  They go for her first and my symbol and body pulsates with power.  I must help them in whatever manner I can. 

 Genrou blocks the attack and the next.  He cannot deter them all if attacked at once, but I can.  Now is the time to use those unique skills I have remembered.  I fight my way to Genrou and the girl.  

"Need a hand?" I ask.

"Chichiri," the girl gasps happily.

"I won't refuse," he grins warming my cold soul.

I nod.  I clear my mind.  I set my hand before me with thumb linked around the prayer beads that "showed up" on my office door.  I whisper the words for the barrier I seek.  As I utter the last word, a red light pulsed out from me.  The attackers fall back unconscious.  I breathe happy that it worked.

"Just like old times," I hear Genrou murmur just as the girl latches on to me.

I blink down at her in shock.  She does not know me, yet she is clinging to me like a lost friend.  Something in me does not mind.  It is the same something that draws me to Genrou and Doukun.

"Miss, would you please let go," I say.

 "Miaka-chan, Miaka," Genrou gently says pulling at her shoulders.  "Let go of Ri-san."

She lets go apologizing.

"It's quite all right," I find myself saying and tenderly smiling down at her.

"Thanks for your aid, Ri-san," Genrou says giving me a bow.

I shift nervously expecting them to bombard me with questions of what I did.  Shockingly nether of them do and act like they see "magical" barriers knock out a bunch of bullies everyday.     

"You and your lady friend were in need of aid, so I came," I say hoping they will not ask many questions.

"Good thing you happened to be near by," Miaka cheerfully says.  She suddenly clasps my hand between hers.  It is warm and there is an indescribable jolt at her touch.  "Please come have dinner with us as a thank you for your help."

"I would not want to intrude," I say looking between the two.  There is nothing like a third wheel on a date.

"You would not be intruding," she insists.  "Right, Tas…"

Genrou clears his throat.

"Genrou," she amends.

She wants to call him something else, maybe her personal pet name for him.  The idea amuses me.

"Right," he assures.

It would be nice to spend time with Genrou.  Maybe I could learn a few more things about what connects us.  However, I still do not want to barge in on their plans.

"Do you have other plans," Miaka asks eyes filling with tears.

"No, I don't," I find myself answering before I can make up an excuse to get out of this.

"Please join us," she begs tugging at my arm.

Her eyes capture my soul and whisper to it how much she loves me and wants me back.  But she will wait till I am ready.  Now all she wants is for me to join her for dinner, and I cannot refuse.

My simple acceptance makes her glow with happiness.  I smile because of it.

Genrou smirks contently as he watches us.

After formal introductions are made, Miaka links an arm through each of our arms and leads us away from the circle of unconscious hoodlums.  She chatters pleasantly.  She tells me of the movie she and Genrou saw earlier followed by skating.  She then turns the conversation to me – what I teach, if I have any hobbies, family, significant other.

I answer some and sidestep others.  Before long we enter an apartment building.  She sheds her coat revealing her pregnancy.  I am surprised I did not notice earlier.  Is he the father?  She tosses it to Genrou.

"Why do I have to carry this?" Genrou demands.

"Because I'm pregnant and Ri-san is my guest," she shoots back stepping up the stairs.

"What am I a pack mule," Genrou demands.

"Maybe," she lilts.  "You can sure act like one at times."

"I think that better describes Tamahome," he responds.

My laughter interrupts the sibling like spat.

"I will carry it if you like," I offer.

"I'll do it," Genrou mutters disgruntled.

We reach her floor and her apartment.  She pulls the keys from her purse and unlocks her door.  I know there is someone else inside.  We enter.

"Taka, we're back," she calls and dashes down the hallway.

A male voice greets her.

"And guess who we brought home," I hear her say.

"She makes me sound like a lost puppy," I mumble.

Genrou, who shut the door, is hanging up Miaka's coat and chuckles.

"To her you are or something close," he cryptically says.

He offers a hand to take my coat.  I slip it off and hand it to him.

As I slip off my shoes, I think I hear her say "Chichiri" again followed by a few hushed words between the unseen couple.

"Come on," Genrou says walking forward. 

I follow. 

A tall lean dark haired man looks up as we enter.  His eyes instantly lock on me in a very scrutinizing manner.    Unidentifiable emotions hide under his calm surface.  I bite the inside of my cheek when I see the symbol inscribed on his forehead.  I examine his red aura.  He is one of us – whoever us is.  Unlike the other times when I have seen the markings, a build up of ki does not accompany this one.  Black lines mark out his ogre sign, but I am sure it is not physically there.  Any other person would not see it.  

Introductions are made.  That all too common Genrou induced inner tightness eases when I learn that Taka is Miaka's husband. 

Taka sets the last of the dishes on the table and tells us to sit.   Taka seems to have easily accepted me and treats me like an old friend as he motions for me to sit.

I sit beside Genrou.  Taka and Miaka sit across from us.

"Looks great, Taka" Genrou says rolling his sleeves back.

I can barely see markings on his arm peeking out from under his sleeve. 

Genrou helps himself to one of the dishes and offers it to me.  I nod extending a hand to accept the bowl, but he spoons a portion onto my plate.

"That enough?" he asks.  He leans a bit more toward me and loudly whispers, "Ya need to grab all ya want now before Miaka gets it."  His eyes dance to the woman.

My skin prickles at his nearness.  His flame like aura reaches out with light caresses.  Breathing becomes an afterthought.  I thought my reaction to him that first day was intense.  This is so much more.  Unexplained emotions swell and tumble through me.  What to do next evades me.

"That is enough," I manage to murmur.  "Thanks."

He grins at me.  It does nothing to lessen my confusing and blissful state.  He leans back and hands the bowl to Taka across from him.  At least I have presence of mind to examine his arm as it crosses the table.  

The shadowy black lines overlay the area where the red ones will blaze.  This is the first time I am close enough to decipher the mark.  "Wing."  It says wing.  -  Well, Wing and Ogre.

"How was the movie?" Taka asks filling his plate.

"It was good.  Afterwards we went skating," Miaka answers.  Half her attention is on the food before her.  "Then there were a ton of guys who attacked us."

Taka's eyes widen immediately as he looks down at his wife then glares at Genrou.

"Genrou was there and Ch... Ri-san showed up to help."

She smiles up at me before throwing herself into her food.

Taka relaxes slightly but turns miffed eyes to Genrou for details. 

"What!" Genrou says around a mouth full of food.

"You are supposed to watch out for her," Taka declares at an elevated level.

"I was watching her.  I stopped the punk from mugging her," Genrou spits back, anger rising.

"What about the 'ton of guys?'" Taka asks.

"Well," Genrou blushes slightly with his admission, "I was focusing on the little shit and missed them."

"Ta-Genrou, how could you miss them!  I can't believe it…" Taka rails.

"Like you would have done any better!" Genrou shoots back.  "What about the time when those warriors snuck up on you…"

"That is not relevant," Taka interrupts.  "Anyway, you were not there at the time."

I watch from one to the other as their voices rise with each accusation.

"Watch it, Obake-chan," Genrou says.  "You will regret it."

"You don't have your tessen anymore, Fang boy," Taka gloats.

Genrou bears his fangs in a very predatorily way.

Miaka ignores the posturing by the two males and inhales the food around her.

"I can still beat the fucking shit out o' ya," Genrou growls.

"Shall we see," Taka accepts the challenge.

Red auras intensify around each.  Their symbols glow faintly.

"ENOUGH!" my voice cuts through tension filled air.

They both look at me.  I am relieved as their auras return to normal.  They both look at their plates.  Silence screams around us.

"Don't let them get to you.  If they didn't fight, they wouldn't know how to be friends," Miaka says.

"Da!" I respond to her wacky statement.

There is a soft chuckle beside me.  I glance over at Genrou.  His face is still tilted downward.  His ragged bangs shadow his eyes but a smirk is visible on his lips before more food passes between them.

I am so confused!  These people are odd.

I turn to my food and conversation starts up again.

"You done?" Miaka asks Genrou pointing to his plate.  He nods.  "Can I have it?"

"Sure," he grins and hands her the plate.

She quickly finishes it off and eyes Taka's plate.  Another "Da" of disbelief escapes my lips.

She's pregnant.  That is why she eats so much.

"She is always like that," Genrou enlightens me.

After the meal Miaka's eyes begin to droop.  Genrou and I thank our hosts and make our exit so she can get some rest.  

"That sure was a great meal no da," Genrou says as we walk to the stairs.

My head snaps up at the comment.  I search his face and have the distinct impression I am being teased.  The twinkle in his eyes, the half-cocky smirk, and one arched eyebrow only add to the feeling.

"No da?" I question.  "That is an unusual phrase for you."

"A very close friend said it all the time," he answers with almost a bit of loss or is it something else.  I cannot tell and cannot see his face since he is now behind me as we descend the stairs.  "That or 'na no da.'  Y'r da's at dinner reminded me of him."

I step off the last step and turn to look at him as he finishes. 

"You miss him," I say before I can stop myself.  I should not be prying into his life.

"But you want to, no da," chibi says with enthusiasm.

Great!  Just what I need now – arguing with myself while talking to him.

"He's never shied away from telling you of his life na no da."

"Yeah, I miss him.  I miss him a lot," Genrou says.

His golden eyes intently study me.  They hold me in their gaze searching for something.

"I-Is he dead?" I softly ask.

Genrou gets the oddest expression on his face and chibi is rolling with laughter in my head.  I look anyplace but Genrou at the moment.

"You referred to… I mean… from you earlier statement it sounded like something happened to separate you."  Can I get my foot in my mouth any farther? 

Genrou snorts and shakes his head before answering.

"Something did happen ta separate us.  We lost contact with each other," Genrou tells me.

"I am sorry to hear that," I say.  Instinctively I want to reach out and place a comforting hand on his shoulder, but I keep my twitching hands stuffed in my coat pockets.

"Follow your hear na no da," chibi chimes in.

I could strangle him at the moment if I could.  He is not making this situation any easier.

"Maybe you will find him again," I say trying to cheer Genrou up.  I just cannot stand to know he is hurting.

"I will," Genrou, says determined and his eyes blaze intensely with his resolve as he looks at me.  "It will just take making him remember who he is."

"Ne?" I ask.

Genrou shakes his head dismissing his statement.   

"Tasuki," chibi lovingly calls out.

Who is Tasuki?

I close my eyes at the abrupt turn in topics chibi has made.  Always in the past, his advice made sense or would in a day or two.  Lately I have not been getting it at all. 

I must be going insane.

I rub my head trying to clear it.

A warm hand settles onto my shoulder, and I can feel his alarm for me.

"Are ya all right?" Genrou asks concerned.

I open my eyes and realize how close he is.  I try to say I'm fine but my voice will not come because of the tightening feeling in my throat.  I nod instead.

"Let me take you home," he says.

I wave him off.

"I'll be all right," I insist finding my voice.  "Just a little headache," I say.

He eyes me judging my condition for himself.  His hands on my shoulder only made me flush more.

"Hnmph… ya sure about that?  Ya don't look good.  I better see ya home," he says.

"Da," slips out for the third time this night.  I bat his hand off and look at him sternly.  "I am fine other than it's been a long day." 

"Oh," he says looking like a punished puppy.

I feel bad for snapping at him.

"I'm sorry," I say putting my hand on his shoulder to demonstrate my sincerity.  "You are only being concerned for me and I should not have snapped at you."

He blushes slightly.

"It's all right.  I can be a bit overbearing at times."

I laugh, and he peeks at me through his dangling bangs and gives me a grin.

"I think it is time we both go home," I say and move toward the outside door.  "Goodnight, Genrou."

I open the door and step out.  He is not far behind.

"Goodnight, Ri-san," he says.

"You can call me Houjun," I say to my own surprise but do not regret it because I receive the most beautiful and exuberant grin from Genrou.

"I will," he says before we part ways.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

"I'm here!" singsong Ohkawa Amiri as she enters the teachers' lounge for our grading session.

Her shoulder-length brown hair bobs as she skips into the room.  She tosses her backpack onto the chair on the end and falls into the chair across from Doukun.  She gives him a big smile showing her white teeth.

"Hello, Doukun, Ri-sensei," she bubbles in greeting. 

"Good day, Ohkawa.  You are your effervescent self, I see," I say.

"Definitely!" she says grinning.  "Gum?" she asks pulling a package from her bag and holding it out to us.

We both nod no.

She pulls a piece from the package, un-wraps it, and plops it into her mouth.

Since working with her, I have learned that Amiri is a gum-a-holic.  She goes through gum like Orika-san does cigarettes. 

"Have a nice weekend?" I ask.

"Just great.  Nekoi and I went shopping, but we didn't buy anything.  We did meat a couple of cute guys…"

The other thing I have learned about Amiri is that she is a chatterbox.  She will tell you about every little event of her day if you let her.  Fortunately, she will stop when asked to stop.

"And how was yours, Ri-sensei?" she asks

"It was good," I answer, and she turns to Doukun.

"How about you?  Did you do anything but study?" she asks leaning across the table and pulling the pen out of his hand.

Doukun looks up at her shocked.  I do not know why.  She does this every time to him.

"Yes," he answers. 

"To which questions?" she laughs and set the pen down on the table.

"I did other things than just study," Doukun says.

"Like?" she prods leaning sideways and propping her head up with her hand.

"My parents come up for a visit.  I spent time with them," he says.

"That must have been nice," she says leaning back in her chair.  "You have a brother, ne.  Did he come too?"

"I have an older brother, but he did not come," Doukun says a bit strained.

Amiri does not seem to notice, but I do.

"Well, time to grade papers ne," she says grabbing a stack and a red pen.

Five minutes later…

"You have to read this answer to number 14.  See what the class clown said," Amiri says and shoves the paper to us to read.

We both groan at the outlandish answer about men with super powers.

Amiri takes the paper back and continues grading.

"If you had a super power what would it be?" Amiri asks grabbing a new stack of papers.  "Doukun?"

Amiri always keeps our grading sessions lively.

"I do not know," he answers flustered.  "I never gave it much thought."

"You never wondered what it would be like to fly or run realllyyy fast or laser vision?" Amiri says.

"None of that is possible so why would I think about it?" he asks.

"Because nothing new is ever discovered without someone asking what if," Amiri says with a sharp nod of her head.  "You, Ri-sensei?"

"Something magical," I answer.

"What sort of magical?" she asks.  "Magic barriers, cursing people, vanishing…."

I laugh at her insistence and the whole situation.

"I pick magic barriers," I answer as if it was a category of a TV game show.

Amiri laughs now.

"What would you super power be?" I ask.

"Transform into animals," she answers.  "I think that would be tops."  

We return to the task at hand and soon have it finished.

"I have to dash," Amiri says scooping up her bag.  "I'll see you all later."

She is quickly out the door before we can even tell her so long.

"I did not think we were that poor of company," I lightly comment.

"I do not believe it has anything to do with us.  She probably has someplace to be," Doukun says.

I shake my head at him taking my statement seriously.

"I was only teasing, Doukun," I say with a reassuring smile. 

"Oh…" he says.

He really needs to loosen up a bit.

"How old is your brother?" I ask as he starts to gather his belongings.

I shove the graded papers into their envelope as he looks up at me.

"He's twenty," Doukun answers.

"Is he still in school or on his own?" I ask in a conversational tone.

"He's in his second year of college," Doukun answers shoving a book into his bag.

"Same as you," I point out while mentally making a guess about the earlier uneasiness.  "Were you in the same class in high school?"

"For a bit," Doukun sadly answers, "till my parents moved me to a different class."

"Humm…" I comfortingly murmur.  "At his request?" I ask resting my chin on my upraised folded hands.

"Yes," Doukun says looking up at me with sad eyes.  "He did not like the teasing, and he has never forgiven me for any of it."  I can visibly see his barriers come down as he slumps in his chair.  "Mom and Dad dote on me.  I'm their little genius, and they love to brag about me.  Even if he is their firstborn, I'm the one they focus on.  He just gets shoved into the background.  He takes his frustrations out on me by pushing me away and verbally degrading me.  I escape by studying which does nothing to redeem me in his eyes."  There is a short pause.  "I don't blame my brother for hating me."

I consider what Doukun has just confided to me and wonder if he has anyone else to tell these things to.

"Given time, things between you might change," I slowly offer.  "Once you are both out on your own with jobs and families, it can help make such things in the past insignificant.  No promises though."

He nods looking just as downtrodden.

"And your parents will probably still be a source of tension…"

Doukun lets out a heavy sigh.

"I know.  I have thought about it a lot.  I have tried to talk to him, but… for our short lives together, there is just too much scaring."

"Even the deepest scars lighten over time," I say.  "Give it time.  Don't let it wear away at you," I advise.  "It might help if you found additional coping mechanisms than hiding in your books."

He looks at me slightly shocked, and I chuckle.

"Books are wonderful things full of information and facts, but not always the best support system.  You might find it helpful to broaden your activities and form a network of close friends."

"I will consider it," he says.  "Thank you, Ri-sensei.  I must be going now as well."

"Have a wonderful day," I say.

He gathers his belongings and heads out.

I watch him go with a tightening in my heart.  I hope he can eventually make peace with his brother.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

 "Ri-san," calls Miaka's sweet voice from my open office door.

"Sukunami," I say surprised.

"Miaka," she insists as she enters and lowers herself into a spare chair.  "I thought I would stop by and say hi."

"Oh," I say showing how very articulate I am today.

She picks up the kasa hanging off the extra chair and sets it on her head.  She giggles fondly before removing it.

"It would look better on you," she says.

She sets it on my head.  I am amused as she scrutinizes me tilting her head from side to side.

"Missing something," she spots the kesa and shakujou I tucked away in the corner after discovering them in my office earlier in the week.  She drapes the kesa over my left shoulder and hands me the shakujou. 

Grinning she murmurs, "That's the Chichiri I know."

She is really weird.

She gets a sad smile and shakes her head.

"You must really think I am a flake," she says.  "Arigato, you just remind me of someone." 

I remove the items and set them down on my desk.

She watches me obviously seeing a deficiency that shadows her with woe.  She tries to hide it behind a smile.

"It was nice seeing you again.  I have to go meet Taka," she says.  "I'll see you later."

I watch her leave.  She is an odd duck.  But, what am I missing?  Will someone tell me?

I spent the entire previous weekend sorting through the new information I gained from my dinner with them.  They know the meaning behind the marking, unlike Doukun.  He is completely in the dark about this, and I am not enlightened much more than him.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

I enter the conference room to find Doukun already waiting as usual.  I drop the stack of test papers onto the table and take a seat.

"Should we wait for Amiri?" I ask pulling the test key out of the manila envelope.

"She is ill and can not make it," Doukun says closing the book he was reading.

"I hope she gets well soon," I say handing Doukun the key to grade by.

We set to work with not much conversation without Amiri.

Doukun picks up a stack of the tests to grade.

"Symbolism in Mythology and their Modern Equivalents," he says reading the title of the book he pulled from the paper stack.  "For one of your classes?" he asks.

"No," I answer watching him flip through the book.  "Just personal research."

"Really.  What are you researching?" he asks putting the book on the table.

"I am looking for symbols – markings that appear on people."

He tilts his head and blinks at me a few times.

"That is a unique topic.  What directed you to research the topic?"

"One of my past students had the symbol for wing on his arm.  I wondered if there was any historical or cultural significance to it," I answer as off-handedly as I can.

"So you are looking in mythology," Doukun says.

"I have exhausted all other areas," I say leaning back in my chair.

"You might be interested in the Chinese mythology exhibit that opened this week.  I am planning on visiting it tomorrow.  I have been told that it covers many of the lesser-known Chinese myths, as well as, the common ones.   I am looking forward to seeing it since my friend told me about it.  He helped set it up and says it is worth seeing if one is interested in such things."

"I might visit it," I say.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

Miaka appears at my door once more not quite two weeks after her last visit.

"Afternoon," she chirps.

I invite her in.  She soon draws me into a bouncing conversation till she looks at her watch.

"Genrou and I are going to visit the Chinese mythology exhibit today.  Would you like to join us?"

I don't have to teach another class till evening.  I was thinking about going after Doukun's suggestion to see it for my "research."  Plus it would be time spent with Genrou.  –  "Sure" slips out of my mouth before I can come up with any reason not to go.

Fifteen minutes later we walk into Genrou's dorm.  The student manning the desk waves at Miaka as we pass.  I follow her to the second floor and down the hall to the room I saw Genrou in several weeks ago.  She knocks on the door.

"It's open," Genrou says from the other side.

Miaka opens the door and steps in.  I hesitate but she pulls me into the small room.

Genrou has his foot propped on his desk as he ties his boot.  His back is to us providing a lovely view of his rear.  I am blushing at the thought.  I quickly avert my eyes and look at the posters on the wall.

"Miaka, I don't know why ya insist…" he says before turning.  His voice obviously lost at seeing me standing in his room.

"Hi," I say.

"Hi," he grins.

"I stopped by to see Houjun-san and asked if he wanted to join us.  Hope you don't mind," Miaka bubbles.

"Nah, don't mind," Genrou affirms as he directs the most impetuous and inviting smile at me.

"Didn't think you would," she says with a hint of amusement.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

The exhibit on Chinese mythology is quiet interesting.  A display of a phoenix catches my eye.  I place a finger on its head.  I let it trail down its neck and across a wing.

[A stature of a phoenix sets in a shrine.  Flames dance on either side of it.  I am kneeling praying to the god…a god I serve.  A man with long dark hair and exquisite red robes sets a hand on my shoulder and sinks down beside me.]

"Suzaku, god of fire and love."

Genrou's voice pulls me from the illusion. 

He is standing behind me to my left and close enough that his shoulder presses against my back.  I must have been out of it for him to get that close without me noticing.  I turn my head to look at him and can taste the air he exhales.  His golden eyes sparkle.  My breath catches at what I see in them.  I am caught motionless.  My heart races.  I should turn away but do not.  I want to see what he will do, what he tastes like, what he feels like.    

His eyes peruse my face and rest on my lips.  I bite my lower lip.  His eyes meet mine again and seem to be asking permission.  My traitorous eyes focus on his lips.  They are slightly open and highly appealing as they glisten in the light.

His fingers caress my jaw before lightly holding my chin.  His thumb ghosts over my lips producing a small gasp from between them.  My eyelids droop half way closed as his thumb reverses its path.  I see him nearing.     

"Chiriko!" Miaka exclaims from someplace on the other side of the exhibit wall.

"Kuso," he hisses quickly glancing at the wall.

Swiftly he leans in the rest of the way and gently presses his lips to mine.  It lasts only a moment.  One delightful moment and he is gone – stalking around the wall to where muffled struggles can be heard.  I rest my fingers on my lips where he touched.

Did I just let that happen?

"Miaka, let go of him," Genrou growls and breaks my trance.

I move around the wall to see Miaka clinging to Doukun.  Genrou is pulling her off the other.

She is the key.

Doukun looks surprised to be the object of the woman's attention.

She nods after Genrou whispers something in her ear.

"Gomen," she says bowing her head.  "You remind me of someone," she says obviously pained.

We all seem to remind her of someone.

Miaka introduces herself as she befriends the boy.  Her actions are beyond my understanding and a part of me believed that she might be mentally unstable.

"She just knows what you have not remembered, no da."

What do you know?  Why will you not tell me?

Once more my subconscious will not answer.

"These are my friends, Kou Genrou," Miaka motions to Genrou, "and…"

"Ri-sensei," Doukun says noting my presence.

"Ou-kun," I greet.

"Great you already know each other," she says clapping happily.

"I have Ri-sensei in religious studies and philosophy," Doukun politely answers.  "Has the exhibit been helpful in your research, Ri-sensei?" he asks me.

"I am not sure," I answer.

"What are you researching?" Miaka asks with a twinkle in her eye.

I hesitate a moment as I ponder how much information I want to tell them.

"I have been researching mythologies and legends for symbols," I throw out to see how they react.

Miaka and Genrou exchange a quick look that speaks volumes.   

They know something. They know about the markings.  Do they know what they mean?  Do they know I have one as well?

"Why are ya researching symbols?" Genrou asks.

Is that hope in his voice?

"It is just something that interests me," I answer trying to sound casual and move to examine the next area.

Miaka persuades Doukun to join us.  He seems uneasy at first, but quickly warms to her as we walk through the rest of the exhibit.  Of course, my mind is not on the exhibit but on Genrou's kiss.  I cannot believe I let him do that.  My hand drifts toward my lips once more as I review the event.  I notice before it gets too close, and I shove both hands into my pockets.  I glance at Genrou.  His attention seems to be on Miaka and Doukun.

I watch them interacting and smile.  Miaka has already taken on the roll of big sister.  I marvel at the ease she has done it too.  Genrou seems to be accepting Doukun rather quickly as well.  I hope the bonds forming before my eyes will continue.  It will do Doukun a world of good.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

Doukun watches me as I teach.  Something about him is different.  It is similar to when Genrou came back after his accident.  He watches me with secret knowledge and a hint of sadness.  Before he can leave, I pull him aside.

"Is something wrong?" I ask.  "Anything to do with your brother?"

He gives me his innocent smile.

"No, nothing is wrong," he answers.

"You seem a bit …" I search for an adequate word to describe the difference in him, "… preoccupied like something is on your mind."

"I recently ascertained new knowledge about myself.  I am still integrating its bearing on my life," he answers cheerfully.

There is a happy glimmer in his eyes.  I tilt my head examining him wondering how much I can push.

"Something major?" I ask.

"It is significant, but only adds depth to my life.  Nothing to worry about, Ri-sensei."

"I just wanted to be sure all is well," I say.

"Your concern is appreciated.  Things are really looking up for me," he says smiling yet there is a bit of sorrow directed at me.  "Sayonara, Ri-sensei."

"Sayonara" I say before he walks away.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

My fingers play with the fabric of the kasa Miaka had draped over me at her first visit. 

It should be of a heavier fabric.  A course wool and not cotton.

Images of a fluttering cloak cross my mind.  Odd things happened with it – magical things.  It is a blur of disconnected pictures confusing me. 

I stroke the fabric once more.  In a fluid movement, I stand and swing the material over my left shoulder.  I fasten the ends across my chest with the metal buckle.  The weight is familiar and assuring.  I close my eyes exploring the feeling, relishing it.  Then I try to find out why it evokes such feelings but come up blank.

I pick the hat up off my desk.  I turn it top to bottom a few times between my hands.  It is a normal kasa, an item mostly sold to tourists.  I feel like a fool, but I place it on my head.  I kick my chair in and grab the shakujou.  Childishly I swing it down and around.  My body falls into a flow of movement.  The shakujou jingles as it swirls up and over, I step forward, a chant passes over my lips, and I can feel power gathering around me.  I rest the base of the shakujou on the floor halting the process just before the energy can be releases.  It takes more effort than I expect as I fight back its surge to be free.  Slowly the gathered power ebbs leaving me leaning on the shakujou with the effort I put forth to keep my office from being ki blasted. 

I lean against my desk and rest my head on the shakujou.  Yet more mysterious knowledge of spells asserts itself. 

There is a deep knowledge of ki manipulation in my mind – to my amazement.  It is a deeper knowledge and understanding than I have found in any book or teacher.  It is ancient knowledge.

Slowly I breathe in and out absorbing this new discovery.  At some point I was a mage – a very powerful mage.  I know that now.  I vaguely remember training with an old woman.  Then I wandered as a monk.  These were my tools – kasa, kesa, shakujou, and prayer beads.  I remember no more than that.  I cannot tell you where or when I lived or who I knew.

I fish the necklace from under my shirt. 

Does Genrou know of my life then?

I know the necklace was from him, and I suspect that the other items are from him as well.

Does he want me to remember?  Will he tell me if I ask?

He must remember some of his past life that overlapped mine for him to give me these items.  Maybe we were friends.

"Lovers, no da."

I think about the moment at the museum.  The look in his eyes told of long devotion, admiration and longing. 

Yes, lovers.

"And soul-mates, no da."

The idea thunders through my soul causing a vibration of truth to radiate outward till my skin tingles.  Suddenly all my reactions to him from the first day our eyes met make sense.  My heart has been trying to tell me what I have forgotten.  Genrou and I are entwined together for all eternity.  We are bound to meet and fall in love again and again.  I should stop fighting it and accept that he is mine and I am his and that we will both feel a hole in our soul without the other now that we have met.

"Like you didn't feel the hole before, no da," chibi says.

You're right.  It has always been there, but it is more intense now that I know what it is.

"Fill it, no da!"

Yes, I have feelings for Genrou, and it is time that I acted on them.

"I only wish I could remember the past," I sigh.

I now have my answer as to why Genrou's presence affects me but not what the symbols we bare mean.  Is that part of our past as well?  And why are we all drawn to Miaka? 

I shake my head to clear it.

"Enough pondering for one day, I have work to do," I tell myself.      

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

Briskly I walk across campus avoiding the small piles of snow.  The early spring wind is still nippy and tugs at my coat.  I adjust the collar to keep it out and off my neck.  I have a few hours to kill before I have to return to teach my evening class and am headed to get a bit to eat.  I halt.  My head turns toward the park a few blocks away.  I follow Genrou's elevated ki without a second thought.

When I find him, he is standing in a remote clearing in the park that is oddly snow free.  His coat and backpack are on the ground beside him.  An unusual metal item hangs from his hand at his right side.  Flames of his ki dance around it.  He surveys the area with a satisfactory grin and chuckles bordering on maniacal.  He hoists the item up and rests it against his shoulder.  Then he sees me.

"Houjun-san," he says. 

His stance is confident, and he gives me a cocky grin.  Momentarily we are someplace else.  Mountains rise up around us.  Genrou is standing before me with the same relaxed confident stance.  The metal thing rests on his shoulder, and he wears the same grin.  What is different is his clothing.  In place of blue jeans and heavy shirt, he is wearing calf high boots, white pants, and a plum sleeveless coat over a white, long sleeved shirt.  Odd leather straps cross his chest and wrap around his hips.  He looks older.

That is what he looked like in the past.

"Houjun?" he asks placing a hand on my shoulder.

I blink as I return to the here and now.

"Hai," I say.

"Ya all right?  Looked like ya were somewhere else," he says concern creasing his brow.

"I think I was," I answer giving him a smile.  "What are you doing out here?"

"Practicing," he answers lifting the metal fan so I can see.

"That's a weapon?" I ask but already know the answer.

[I am struggling to hold something - someone.  I look through a distorting barrier and yell at the figure on the other side.  He yells something back.  I can see now that it is Genrou as I say more words that are obscured to my ears.  He raises his tessen and lets out a battle cry.  On the downward swing flames shoot from the fan and rush toward me.]

"It's my tessen," he says proudly.

I hold out my hand to touch it, and he gives it to me to examine.  I feel special at this action.  I am sure he would not hand it over to just anyone.  It is quite heavy.  I turn it over noting the magical qualities about it before handing it back.

"What'cha doin' out here?" he asks.

What can I tell him?  I came because of you.

Even with my realization earlier today, I am not sure I can admit it to him out of the clear blue.  I opt for a change of subjects.

"I was going to grab dinner.  Would you like to join me?"

He looks slightly taken aback at my invitation but quickly jumps to accept.  He grabs his things.

"Where are you headed?" he asks slipping the tessen into his book bag.

"Had not really decided.  Thought I would walk to Sakura Lane and decide then."

He makes a disgusted face while putting on his coat.

"Always walking with ya," he mumbles.

"What?" I ask but he gives me an innocent look as he hoists his bag over his shoulder.

"Come on," he says walking past.

We fall into step as if repeating an action performed hundreds of times before.  I am surprised at how comfortable it feels.  I glance over at him, and he catches me in the act and gives me a lopsided smirk.

"How are your classes going?" I ask.

"Alright," he mutters.

"You don't sound too sure about that," I point out.

He fidgets as we walk. 

"I'm have'n a bit of a problem with my science class," he admits.  "Don't know why the fuck I have to take it," he sulks.

I cannot help but laugh at him.  He glares accusingly at me.

"Nothing to be ashamed of," I try to appease him.  "Many people struggle with it."

"Why'd ya laugh?" he pouts.

"You reminded me of someone," I answer sounding like Miaka.

"Really," he says brightening.  "Who?"

I look away from him feeling foolish.

"I'm not sure," I answer.  "Do you study with anyone?" I ask changing the subject yet again.

He shakes his head.

"It might help if you got together with your classmates to study," I suggest.

He mumbles something.

We stop at the corner with the light.  I glance down the street at the various restaurants.

"What do you want?" I ask.

He scans the area.

"How about there," he says pointing to a restaurant.

The light changes, and we head toward it.

"The rest of your classes problem free?" I ask not knowing what else to talk about.

"Mostly.  What's fucking annoying is my creative writing teacher from last semester," he borders on growling.

"Last semester?" I ask perplexed.

"Yeah," he says as we enter the restaurant.

We halt our conversation while we find a table and are greeted by our server.  We place our order and when the server walks away, I prompt Genrou to finish his story.

"For class we had to write a damn original story.  She thought mine was fucking great and keeps hounding me to submit it to some stupid contest."

"If it is good, why don't you want to submit it?" I ask.

He blushes lightly and his eyes drop to the table.

"It's… well, the story is like a part of me," he answers.  "Plus, I sort of based the characters off of people I know and don't feel right showing it to all Japan without their permission."

It was an admirable thought. 

I prop my elbows on the table and rest my chin on my folded hands while he talks.

"What is your story about?" I ask curious.

He hesitates bordering on telling me… or not.  He seems happy that I am curious yet embarrassed.

"Surely telling me the basic plot will not breach your ethic code," I point out.

He seems amused by that.

"It's about a bandit leader," he says.  "It's set in ancient China."

He definitely has my attention now.

"What timeframe?" I ask.

"A fucking long time ago," he says.

"Why China?" I interrupt again.

"Cause that's where the damn story takes place," he growls.  "Do ya want to know about it or not?"

I nod I do.

"Then stop interrupting," he demands just before our food is brought out to us.

The server places a plate before each of us.  He fills our sake cups and leaves the bottle.

Genrou downs the sake while I start in on the food.  He refills his cup and takes a bite of food.

"What happens to your Chinese bandit?" I ask.

"He has been chosen by his country's god to protect the Miko.   She is on a quest so she can summon their god to save the kingdom.  He doesn't want to do it at first, but ends up going to her aid.  He and the other god ordained protectors' travel the land in order to achieve their goal."

Images of walking through dark forests, riding on a ship, trudging up snow covered mountains, and traveling through a dry desert flash across my mind's eye.

"Warriors from the neighboring kingdom hinder their efforts and eventually cause the death of several protectors."

There is pain in his eyes, and he seems to be focused on some distant memory.  It makes me wonder who was the close person that he lost.

"Things go from bad to worse, and their kingdom is invaded.  They fight valiantly.  The Miko is finally able to summon their god, and the final battle is fought." 

[I stand before a blond haired man with my shakujou held ready to attack.  I can see Genrou, wearing a long dark blue-black coat, standing beside me.  His eyes focus on the blond, and he is ready to attack.  I know our actions might be futile, but we will not give up.  Determination to protect and defend is my driving force.  I am willing to give my life when a power rises behind me.] 

"They are victorious, but many lives are lost.  Only two of the protectors survive – one of them the bandit leader."

He downs another bowl of sake. 

"The two reaming protectors are vastly different in personality, but they have been bonded like brothers through their shared experiences." 

["A fucking year since we had to say dammed goodbye to them.  Why di't have to be that way?  Why?  Why couldn't we all survive and continue how we were?"

"Life is always changing.  It never stays the same.  And there will always be pain." I mumble the last to myself.]*

"They travel around for many years and discover their love for each other.

"They return every so often to the mountain bandit's lair but never stay.  The ex-bandit leader has no desire to seek out conflict other than what his normally abrasive personality produces and wants a semi-quiet life.  When one of his sisters and her husband die in an epidemic, he adopts his niece, and they raise her as their own daughter.  Life falls into a normal peaceful existence for them.

"The bandit's lover is the first to die after a very long life full of love.  The bandit wants to die with his love, but he made a promise he would not take his own life."

["Remember, I will wait for you, so don't rush to me," I say between coughs.

 "I 'member," a deeper voice responds.

"Hold me for a while more," I ask.

"Anything you ask, love.  Anything you ask."]

Loss, grief, and love intensely assault me as the conversation plays through my mind. 

"But, after five years he lost his will to live and followed," Genrou concludes.

Genrou looks slightly misty eyes.  I am sure I look much the same as I can feel the tears coating my eyes.  I quickly blink a few times to try and clear the liquid clouding my vision before he notices.  I am unsuccessful.  He looks into my eyes and sees the tears ready for fall.  With his thumb, he brushes ways the drop rolling down my right cheek.  There is no malice or belittlement in his eyes, only compassion.      

"You must have put a lot of work into it to create such a complicated and dramatic story," I say.  "I would love to read it," I put my hand over my mouth realizing what I am asking.  "Sorry, I should not have asked that," I mumble dropping my eyes to my empty plate.

"Sal'right," he says.  "I might let ya one day.  You haven't touched your sake," he says pointing to my cup.  "Do you not like it?"

"I drink it on occasion.  I have always preferred its smell over its taste," I admit looking at the bowl.

"That's odd," he says.  "Why do ya like the smell?"

I shrug.

"I find it comforting like an old friend," I say.

He mutters what sounds like, "Or an old lover," but I am unsure.

I let it slide and pay for our meal.  He protests, but I insist that it is my treat.  He can return the favor sometime.  He suddenly grins and is starry eyed at the implications of my statement.

It is dark as we exit the restaurant and walk back to campus.

"Did ya have to move when ya got this job?" he asks.

"Yes," I answer.

He asks a few more personal questions, and soon I am telling him about Hikou and Kouran.  He seems really interested in them and asks several questions about them getting together.

We come to where our paths must part and pause.

"Goodnight, Genrou," I say as we stand in the shadow cast by a nearby building.

"Thanks for dinner.  I enjoyed it," he says but makes no attempt to leave.

It is like one of those awkward endings to a first date where the couple stands on the girl's front porch not knowing what to say and wondering if they will kiss.  When they finally work up the courage and their lips touch her father turns on the porch light, and they quickly pull away.

What am I thinking?  This is one of those awkward ends of a first date farewells only without the front porch or father.

Looking at Genrou, I really want to kiss him.  I decided earlier I was going to pursue him so I should kiss him.  I know he is receptive to such actions.

I step closer to him.  Tilting my head slightly to one side, I bring my lips to his in a slow sweet undemanding kiss.  His lips open slightly and catch mine in a loving hold as they close.  Slowly our lips dance parting only to recapture the other's in a moist embrace.

My arms loosely encircle his waist, and his hand creeps up my chest, over my shoulder, and rests on my neck as we kiss.  I am suddenly made aware of his other arm's presence around my waist as he pulls me against him.  His tongue brushes across my parted lips before delving into my mouth.  The taste of sake fills my mouth and is in the air as I breathe.

Is this why I like the smell?

My mind ponders that question only momentarily before turning to hormone induced mush with Genrou's heated kiss.  It is demanding and full of promise as he pulls me tight against him as if trying to make us one.  I return the passion just as eagerly.  My tongue strokes his as it enters his mouth. 

A clock chimes a quarter after, and I pull away.  I place a few light kisses on his lips while my hands unwind his from my body.

"I have a class to teach," I regretfully say.

I bring one of his captured hands to my lips and place a kiss on his palm.  

"I'll see you later," I say before I dash off to my office to grab my things.

I hear a loud whoop of joy behind me, and I smile.  

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

I lay in bed trying to sleep, but my time with Genrou keeps replaying in my head.  Joy at spending time with him bubbles through my system.  I smile up at the ceiling elated.  I am already anticipating when I can see him again.  Is this what being in love feels like? 

When I kissed Kouran, I never felt my insides quiver and my world tilt like with Gernou's two kisses.  I do not think I understood passion till he ignited it in me.

"I told you.  You did not love her as a lover.  No da."

I know, I know.

"Now you have found your soul-mate and remembered your magic no da.  It is time for you to piece together the past na no da."

How do I do that?

I receive the mental equivalent of being bonked on the head with my shakujou.

"Use your head.  You have the pieces before you no da."

I start running through what I know.  There is a connection between those of us with the symbols.  The others remember and are waiting for me to remember as well.  Why not just tell me?

"If they told you without you having the slightest inkling of a past life, you would think they were crazy, no da!" 

Chibi has me there.  They are just being prudent. 

I cannot forget Miaka.  She fits into the equation some way.  We all seem tied to her.  I see it in our auras and hers.  She is special.

In our past Genrou and I were lovers, just like his last two protectors...

I slap myself in the head for not seeing it sooner.  Genrou's story is the story of our previous life.  That is why it is so personal.  And several of his and the others odd reactions and references make sense now. 

Miaka is the Miko, and those of us with the symbols are her chosen protectors.  Genrou told me in a nutshell about our past.  The thought of popping into Genrou's room and finding his story has some appeal, but I cannot betray his trust like that.  I will just ask him next time I see him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's notes and review responses:

* This is lifted dialog from my other FY story "Shared Grief." 

Welcome to the New Year everyone!  Hope you enjoyed my first post of 2004.  ^_~  Thanks for all the reviews!

Babbling Brook

Arsronus Laidon: Sorry to disappoint you with Houjun not remembering yet.  Yes, you do have to wait four more chapters for him to remember everything.

Rath: Chiri and Hotohori will be the last to regain their memory.  Nuriko and Hotohori enter the scene in the next chapter.

On DK: I know what you mean.  I cringe at the dark turn the story has taken, but I don't think you could sustain a long story line on the lighthearted way the series began either.  Overall it makes for a nice mix and an interesting story.  As for the style of drawing, I would have to go back and look and my sister has the books at the moment.  I think things overall were shaded darker.

Xellas: Welcome back!  ^_^  Thank you.  That was my goal with Miaka. 

Well… the purse-snatching attempt I can see, but not the whole group of them attacking.  So no good explanation for it other than to get Chiri involved.  ^_^

Yaoi-Rules: Thank you, and now you know what happens.  ^_^

Moonraven: *kiss raised bump on Chichiri's head*  He is remember little bits at a time.  Just a few more chapters.  ^_~

Blurting things out just seemed like a Miaka thing to do.

Chibi-Kaz: Glad you liked it.

Kitsuna Ri: Nuriko and Hotohori are coming next chapter.  You are not the only one to think Chiri remembered. 

Unofficial Schwarz: Well, getting them together has begun.  : D  You can always count on Tasuki and Tamahome for comic relief.   Good to know you love this story.

Riina: I really liked the last chapter too.  Although, I like this chapter slightly more than 6.

I have not seen the OVA yet, so my characterization for Tama is based off of my knowledge of Tamahome.  So basically they are the same person.  From some things I have read on line, they changed the character a bit for Tama????

Don't worry.  Chiri will not give up on Tasuki – well I guess this chapter makes that obvious.  ^_~

You have a very good point.  I totally spaced it that reincarnation would be part of their culture or of the prominent religions.  They are living in Japan, but the same it true – I believe.  Thanks for pointing that out.

Thanks for the cuddles.  ^_^