New Life Old Bonds
By Babbling Brook42
Rating: R – for language
Disclaimer: See Prologue
Japanese words uses:
Arigato – Thank you
Hai – Yes
Iie – No
Thanks to Moonlady for beta-reading for me.
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Chapter 11 – Awakening the Last (Houjun's POV)
My eyes open and gaze over the sculpted horizon of Genrou's chest. I slowly gain a satisfied smile. Last night was more than I expected. Genrou was gentle and caring. He knew just what to do and where to touch. His tender words always put me at ease when I was unsure. He was patient with me even when his own lust called for action. It was obvious his first priority was me and my satisfaction. Oh, how I love him. He is the one I have been waiting for. I have no doubt about that.
My eyes leisurely rove over my lover. Affection for him percolates in me. He is a feast to behold as he sleeps. I hate to move and wake him, but my muscles cry out to be stretched. I carefully unwind my legs and arms from him. Once free my body elongates and shifts pulling at long cramped muscles. When my rapturous stretch concludes, Genrou is watching me. His fangs are evident as he smiles. His aura lazily dancing around him but holds heated implications.
"Morning," he says a bit horse. "Sleep well?"
I let out a contented murmur as he rolls over and pins me to the bed. Our bare bodies press together. He lazily kisses me good morning. I enjoy the pleasure of such a greeting. It is so euphoric. The kisses become gentle nibbles at my ear. He whispers how much he loves me and what he wants to do to me.
"I'm not stopping you," I raggedly say.
He chuckles deep in his throat as he pulls back to look me in the face.
"I thought you might feel that way, love," he says in a voice full of sexual desire.
He kisses me again with blazing passion. It leads to more intimate displays of affection and a repeat of last night's activities.
I long ago abandoned any inkling of my morning meditation. I just enjoy being cuddled by my redhead lover. I feel content and have no desire to move from his arms. I am about ready to drift back to sleep when the phone rings.
Genrou glares at the noisy object, and with a displeased groan, I roll over and grab the phone. I force my salutation to not show my ire.
"Morning, Chichiri," Nuriko's happy voice says.
"Morning, Nuriko. What can I do for you?" I ask.
Genrou makes a face at the man's name and snuggles up to me dividing my attention. I am sure that is his intention.
"I'm planning a welcome home party for Miaka and daughter when she gets out tomorrow and want to invite you," Nuriko says. I am calling everyone, but don't tell her or Taka. It is a surprise," he says in a secretive tone.
"When exactly and where?" I ask.
Nuriko gives me the details.
"Is Tasuki there or do I need to call his dorm?" Nuriko asks.
"He's here," I affirm.
"So you will tell him," Nuriko basically orders.
"I will," I confirm. "While I have you on the phone, will you give me Hotohori's number?" I ask realizing I do not know how to get a hold of the ex-emperor. "I need to talk to him."
"He's right here," Nuriko says.
I hear a muffled exchange then Hotohori answers. I briefly explain to him what I want to talk to him about. He hesitantly agrees, and we set up a lunch meeting with just him, Genrou and me. I hang up the phone.
"We better get cleaned up," I say to Genrou and kiss his temple. "We have a lunch date with Hotohori in a few hours."
"Only if I get to shower with you," he purrs.
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We enter the restaurant. Hotohori is already seated in a corner booth. Genrou and I slip in across from him. We wait till after we order to go into detail of why we are here.
"My theory is that which I call my subconscious is Chichiri."
I get a slightly perplexed look from Hotohori and a dumbfounded one from Genrou.
"But you are Chichiri," Hotohori points out.
"Yes," I answer and try to explain how we are the same but different. "My guiding voice is in possession of my past. Somehow I managed to section off the essence that made me Chichiri. He seems to … be guarding my past and offering guidance."
"But you still act like you minus the no da's," Genrou attests. "Well… you are a bit more serious than before… not so lighthearted," he trails off.
This is complicated. I do not have it clear in my mind, but I try to explain what I do grasp to my friends.
"I think it is more of my memories, experience and wisdom from that lifetime is my subconscious' core. The traits that characterize me are still here in this life."
I glance at them. Hotohori appears to be grasping it even if only at the edge. Genrou is having a bit more trouble, but he will get it soon.
The waitress brings us our food and our conversation slows while we eat.
"So your guide told you that you will not remember till we all do?" Hotohori asks.
"I don't think you have to remember everything. It is more till you are willing to remember," I say. "Is something keeping you from remembering?" I ask leaning forward on the table.
"I don't want to remember," Hotohori says looking at me.
Genrou hisses, and I place a hand on his thigh signaling for him to hold his tongue and let me handle it.
"Why not?" I inquire non-accusingly.
"I love Ryuuen. I do not want to loose that," he answers looking us square in the eyes.
Genrou and I exchange quick confused looks. I press on with my questioning.
"Why would you loose that? Ryuuen will love you still," I say trying to find the crux of the problem here.
"I know he will love me still, but will I still love him?" Hotohori asks sadly. His voice trails off into a whisper. "Was I not in love with Miaka."
Genrou laughs.
"Shit, we all know ya were in love with Nuriko – well, except Nuriko and maybe you," Genrou scoffs.
"But I loved Miaka," Hotohori points out. "Ryuuen was sure of this."
"Ya did love Miaka," Genrou assures softly. "We all do in our own way. Why the hell else would seven strangers risk their life for her? She is such a clumsy baka that she endears herself to ya."
I know he is expressing his view of our precious Miko.
"But, ya damn straight had feelings for Nuriko. They weren't there at first, but by the time we left ta search for the shinzaho, ya loved him. Ya just didn't let yourself fucking acknowledge 'em. Ya were too honor-bound to the country and shouldered the weight of responsibility ta marry a woman and produce an heir. Being in love with another man was damn well out of the question. An' then there was ye'r whole wanting to be loved as a man not emperor complex. Ya thought only the Miko from another world could do that."
Hotohori looks slightly shocked with the new information. Genrou leans forward on the table and points a finger at the recipient of his tirade.
"If any of us doubted y'r attachment to our cross dresser, there was no doubt when we met y'r wife. She looked very much like Nuriko. Miaka even mistook her for him."
"I had a wife?" he asks shocked. "Ryuuen never mentioned that," he says looking at Genrou.
"Probably because it happened after his death," I say.
His eyes move to me.
"Hmm," he murmurs and steeples his hands before his chin. "I know nothing of what happened after Nuriko's death. Would you please be kind enough to fill me in?"
Genrou gives him the rundown of what happened from Nuriko's death till the final conflict. Hotohori listens enraptured with the new facts. There is a bit of sorrow on his face when he learns of how his country and people were used. Learning of his dying conversation with Miaka does not reassure Genrou's claim of love for Nuriko.
"Damn it!" Genrou slams his hand on the table.
I grab him to keep him from standing up. I am afraid that he will lunge across the table to strangle the other man.
The diners around us quiet and look at us.
"Calm down," I hiss in his ear and give the other patrons an apologetic look. They return to their meals.
He settles into his seat and the intensity of his glare declines.
"You did," Genrou whispers. "Ask the others."
Hotohori inclines his head in thought.
"You have given me a lot to think about," he says. "I do not want to stand in your way of regaining your memories, but I do not want to sacrifice Ryuuen's joy and my love for him for that," he says looking straight at me.
"I understand," I assure. "I would not want to sacrifice my love for such either." I squeeze Genrou's hand. "Talk to the others. They will have a different perspective on it."
"That is the prudent thing to do," Hotohori says. "I will talk with them."
"Thank you," I say finding myself bowing my head toward Hotohori. "If you ever need someone to talk to, call either of us."
Hotohori genuinely smiles.
"Thank you my friends," he says.
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I look up from the student papers to the person who knocked on my door.
"Welcome, Hotohori," I say to the man standing tall in my doorway. "Please, come in."
I motion to the spare chair. He flowingly enters the room and slips into the seat.
"How have you been," I politely ask.
"I am well, thank you," he says. "And yourself?"
"Trying to stay on top of my grading," I answer motioning to the stack before me.
He smiles and nods understandingly.
"It is getting close to the end of the school year," he observes.
"That it is," I say.
I take in the man who is friend yet a total stranger to me. He seems so at ease sitting there discussing mundane trivia with me. I wonder how long till he gets to the main reason for the visit.
"Is this a good time to talk?" he asks. "I can return at a more convenient time."
"No, no, this is fine. The papers can wait," I say shoving them to one side and focusing on him.
"Thank you," he says.
The sound of hushed voices in the hall reminds me that the door is open. We will be discussion things that are not for other's ears so with a movement of my hand the door swings closed. Hotohori looks impressively shocked at the door.
"Not something you see every day," I jest.
"No, it is not," he says turning back in his chair to face me. "Have you always been able to do that?" he curiously asks.
"Not that trick exactly," I say. "But, I have always been sensitive to ki's and learned a few standard defensive tricks with my own. The majority of the knowledge I have now returned to me with Genrou's gifts."
I lift the bead necklace from under my shirt.
He shifts his weight to one side of the chair. His legs stretch out before him giving him a casual appearance.
"What do you remember?" he asks studying me.
"I remember a large portion of my magic, but there are still holes there." I shake my head searching for a way to describe this knowledge. "I don't know how I know that, but the gaps seem to glare at me. I find pieces of things that belong to a larger technique, but it is not there when I look for it."
I sigh and lean back in my chair. I let out a slow breath forcing myself to relax.
"I remember mostly strong feelings, a few moments with Genrou – Tasuki, and my training with an old woman. I even remembered one instant with you at what I assume was Suzaku's shrine."
He looks intrigued by this news so I tell him of our visit to the exhibit and the brief memory of our god.
"Beyond that, I have always had flashes of vague familiarity with things."
He nods. I am not sure if it is for me to continue or if he experiences the same thing.
"A braid of purple hair, the smell of sake, school girls in brown uniforms," I list.
"Same here," he confirms.
"Do you remember anything at all?" I tentatively ask not knowing if he will answer.
"What I remember is similar to what you described," he says.
"Have you talked to the others?" I ask.
"Hai. They all concur with Tasuki. But, none of them learned it from my lips," he says slumping and looking dejected. This is the first time I have seen him look less than regal and in control. "The only way for me to know my heart then is to allow the memories to return. What if the memories return and so dose my love for Miaka. I do not want to be in love with a woman who is already smitten with another. And what of Ryuuen? He would be crushed. I cannot do that to him."
I can see the tearing conflict he is dealing with.
"Because you love him," I say.
"Because I love him," he repeats. "I love him deeply."
The honorable and compassionate ex-emperor shows me all that he is feeling and struggling with in his eyes.
"You were seven when you meet," I say.
He nods confirming this.
"What did you experience when you first meet him? How have you felt when he is around or not around over the years? Just think about it," I caution. "I want to tell you a story before you tell me."
He cocks his head curiously at me but does as asked.
"My entire life, I have been sure that there was someone out there waiting for me. When my first and only girlfriend and I called it quits, that promise comforted me. I did not know where I would find this person. Then I got my first teaching job. On my second day of teaching a brash redhead entered my classroom late."
Hotohori grinned knowing who the brash boy was.
"When I told him to take a seat he smiled at me boldly. That familiar smile caught me and would not let me go. His presence confused me and made me lightheaded. Every time I saw him, I had to fight the unexplained draw to him. He was my student after all. Just knowing he was near made me smile. When he was not around, I felt empty. It took me a long while to realize and admit why I felt what I did for him."
Hotohori is listening avidly.
"I know the intense draw was not because he was a fellow seishi. Doukun was in another of my classes at the same time, and he did not call me in such a way to him.
"Genrou and I are soul mates. We are destined to meet each life and fall in love. Genrou says this is the fourth time that he remembers."
"He remembers more than his life as Tasuki," Hotohori says shocked.
"So he tells me," I respond.
He thoughtfully looks unfocused at my bookshelf.
"Does he remember me in any of the past lives?" he asks.
"He does in one of them, but he does not know if you and Nuriko met in either. He died when Nuriko was fourteen and never met you by that point. In the other, you were his clan's leader. He died young in battle."
He nods.
"Growing up did you ever feel any such draw to Nuriko?" I ask.
"You suspect we are soul mates," he says.
"I suspect."
Hotohori shakes his head trying to gather his thoughts.
"If we are soul mates then my love for him would not disappear with my memories."
I affirm the theory.
"From the first day we met, Ryuuen made me feel special. He treated me different from other kids. He wanted to hang out with me as a person. He had no care if I was rich or poor, he just wanted to be my friend and share his joy of life with me. He and his sister showed me what true unconditional friendship was. My life has been made much richer because of them. Yet, it is not proof that we are destined to be together."
"True," I concur. "Even if you are not soul mates, I believe regaining your memories will not have an effect on how you currently feel."
He looks up at me with hope and caution.
"What do you base this on?" he inquires.
"Looking at those that have regained their knowledge of the past, the core of who they are and how they act has not changed. Genrou was a daring brash individual before and still is for the most part. His memories have given him greater air of assurance and imparted a bit more maturity, but he is still the same person he was before."
Granted, I did not really know Genrou before he regained his memories, but from what little I saw, he is no different now than before. He interacted with his friend and those around him the same way.
"Doukun is actually more relaxed now, but basically the same young boy.
"Did Ryuuen change when he remembered?" I ask.
"No, he did not truly change, just became a bit more secretive," Hotohori says thoughtfully.
"I cannot predict what will happen if your past returns to you, but you have to believe in your love for Ryuuen. You say it is deep. Then trust it is deep enough to survive such a trial."
The questing man absorbs the words.
He thanks me for my advice and leaves with a promise that he will think more on it.
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I lock my office door from the inside. I pick up my shakujou and spread out the kesa. Jamming the shakujou down, I step through the cloth and materialize in my apartment. Even with my recent practice, I land quite awkwardly on the floor. Snickered laughter taunts me as I struggle with the kesa draped over my head.
"Still as bad at landings as ever," Genrou says.
"You mean I always mess it up?" I ask as the edge of the kesa falls off my face and into my lap.
"About ninety percent of the time," Genrou smirks.
"What are you doing here and how'd you get in?" I ask as I stand and dust off my pants.
"I have my ways," he says secretively. "Anyway, I though ya would be happy ta see me," he purrs striding over to stand before me.
His right arm encircles my waist. His fingers languidly dance around on my back.
"I'm not unhappy to see you," I say wrapping my left arm around his neck and pulling him close to emphasize my words. "I am just surprised to see you here. I figured you would have other things to do."
Our lips meet in a loving greeting.
"Kouji had people over for a Street Fighter tournament, so I thought I would come here ta study," Genrou says between kisses.
"You will use anything as an excuse," I tease.
"If it means spending time with ya, then hell yes!" he says before planting a deep passionate kiss on my lips.
I turn to a blob of jello at his words and his kiss. His arm tightens around me to support my wobbling legs. He chuckles into the kiss and pulls away.
"How was y'r day?" he asks smiling brilliantly at me.
"Fine," I answer slipping out of his lovely hold on me. "Hotohori visited me," I say while picking up my things.
"Has he decided?" he asks sitting down on the couch were his books are strewn about.
"I believe he is close," I answer putting my thing away.
"Do ya still meditate of an evening?" he asks.
"Hai," I answer.
"Well, ya meditate, and I will make dinner," he says standing and strutting to the kitchen before I respond.
I change into more comfortable clothing and sit in my normal location by the window to meditate. I feared that his presence would distract me, but it does not. Just like when I taught, I am aware of him in the kitchen, but it is in the background. I find it more comforting than distracting.
I run through a series of stretches before focusing my mind to consider the day's quandaries. My mind drifts to Hotohori and the regaining of our past knowledge.
Even if he does decide he want his past revealed, how do we free the memories? Is there a spell I could use?
I shift through the knowledge I have gained since Genrou gave me the beads. There are items dealing with memory loose and retrieving memories, but nothing on the scale I need. I need to retrieve an entire lifetime.
"What you need is here, no da." Chichiri says.
So there is a way? I question.
"Hai, no da."
How do I find something that is missing from my memory?
"Follow the thread, no da."
A red thread of light appears in my mind. I cautiously touch it and am encapsulated in love and approval. It reminds me of someone.
Suzaku, I whisper.
It reminds me of Suzaku.
"Follow, no da," Chichiri encourages.
I feel a tap on my head and here the jingle of metal with his words. It is followed by the sound of small feet skipping ahead of me.
I obediently follow the thread through the architecture of my mind - up one stairway, through a door, over an arching bridge, down through a lake, and on and on crossing above or below where I have already been. I fell like I am in an M. C. Eusher twisted landscape and will soon be where I started.
I step through one more doorway and am surrounded by fog. The glowing thread is the only thing I can see. Cautiously I move forward. Each forward foot seeks safety before taking on the weight of my being. I smack into a wall.
"Iie," I say in pain and rub my head.
I can just make out the object as I scrutinize it through the fog. It is not a wall but a large double door. Large golden knockers hang level with my head. I raise my hands and pull the heavy ring back. I bang it into the door twice and wait for an answer.
The doors swing open. The thread continues in, and I follow.
The fog turns red.
"Welcome, Ri Houjun, Suzaku Seishi Chichiri," said a familiar grainy voice from the mist.
I strain to put a name with it. Slowly it comes at my tugging.
"Taiitsukun," I hoarsely whisper.
The fog swirls and clears to reveal Taiitsukun floating in air. On one side of her stands a pink-haired Nyan Nyan and on her other side is myself. Well, it is not exactly me. It is I as Chichiri. He is wearing the clothing Genrou described in his book complete with shakujou, kesa, and kasa. My double is mask less and returns my gaze from his one eye. I can see the jagged scar on the left side of his face.
I regain my wits and bow to the old woman. When I look up the rest of the room looks like her place on Mt. Taikyoku.
"You have come far," she says. "Your goal is near."
I am unsure what to say.
"Will you tell me how I may regain my past?" I ask.
"There is a ritual," she answers. "It requires your Miko and the seven seishi."
"Miaka is no longer a virgin. She is no longer qualified to be a Miko," I point out.
Taiitsukun nods, "You are as quick as ever. It does not matter for this. It has to do with the bond she has with the seven of you in the story and in her world, as well as, the bond you seven have with each other. She is the conduit connecting your lives and through which your memories are carried into this time."
I am processing her words, weighing each one, and examining their implications. More questions rise.
"She is the reason the others regained their memories this time," I say seeking clarification.
"Correct," Taiitsukun says.
"But why does Genrou remember more than his life touch by Miaka?" I ask.
"He was the closest to death."
My heart falters at the news that I could have lost my love before we even got fully acquainted.
"It allowed him access to all his past lives."
"Doukun did not nearly die. Why did he remember?"
"Miaka gave him the hug of affixation when she saw him no da," my doppelganger says.
I ignore him and continue on with my line of questioning.
"What of Hotohori? Surly the wall falling on him should have jogged something loose."
More questions pour out of my mouth as I find hole after hole in what is going on. The shakujou contacts with my head as Taiitsukun calls for me to be silent. I close my mouth and briefly scowl at Chichiri.
"Come now, boys. You must get along for after the ritual you will be one."
"Hai," we both say in unison and bow simultaneously together like a reflection in a mirror.
"Being near death is not the only way to regain the past. Seeing the three of you together was enough to bring confusing memories back for Chiriko. But, he did not remember things as clearly as Tasuki. Nuriko's returned when he called on his strength in a time of great peril. He has also had many more years to sort through it all than the rest – practically since Miaka entered the book. Theoretically, Hotohori should have regained his as well, but the man is stubborn and refused to accept them, which you have already discovered the reason for. Lastly, Mitsukake's trigger was seeing Miaka fighting for life."
"What of me?" I ask. "Why have I not remembered? If I were close to death, would I?"
"You, my student, were the one of the seven most likely to remember parts of your past life far too soon," she says floating closer to me. "That potentially would have messed up everything. I could not have you running around waking dormant memories in the others before it was appropriate. Imagine the distorting effects of you coming across Miaka before she had her adventure."
That would be bad. She might not have even entered the book if one of us jumped into her life too early.
"Before you started this life, I secured your memories away and set Chichiri to guard them and guide you."
"Chichiri, dinner is ready."
The call is distant but clearly Genrou.
"Houjun?" he calls again.
"Return to you lover! We will talk again," she commands.
I feel like I am falling backwards. My eyes open and look into golden eyes hovering near my face.
"Chichiri, y' alright?" Genrou asks. "Where were ya?"
"I'm fine," I assure leaning forward and pecking his lips with a quick kiss. "I was talking to Taiitsukun."
"Sunakake Baba!" Genrou exclaims and shutters. "What did she have to say?" he asks leaning back and pulling me to my feet as he stands.
"She was telling me of a ritual to return our memories," I answer as we move toward the kitchen and dinner.
"What do we have to do?" he asks anxiously.
"I don't know yet," I say taking my seat.
"What!"
"We did not get that far. All I know is it will take us seven and Miaka."
I explain the rest to him as we eat. He chews thoughtfully as I explain about my split personality.
"So, ya and y'r voice in y'r head will be one once this is over."
I nod.
"I still do not understand all of it," I say.
"It is a lot to get y'r mind around," Genrou says. "Maybe dessert will get y'r mind off of it," he says standing.
"What is for dessert?" I ask curious what he found in my cupboards that would be classified as such.
Suddenly my chair is pulled away from the table and he is startling my lap.
"Me," he says and grins deliciously. "Would you like a taste?" he seductively offers.
I cannot help but smile at his enticing offer. I move my lips toward his neck.
"It looks scrumptious," I rasp before sucking at the salty skin.
He wastes no time. His nimble fingers work my shirt loose with lightning speed. Once my shoulder is exposed, he latches onto it with lips and teeth.
"I thought you were dessert," I hum in his ear.
"Y'r not the only one with a sweet tooth," he playfully growls back and nibbles his way to my ear.
His tongue runs along the valleys of my ear causing me to squirm. He ends with a teasing tug at my lobe.
"I think your bed would be a better place to fully enjoy this evening's dessert," he buzzes in my ear.
A murmur of agreement is all I can manage under his continued assault of my flesh.
"Thought you would agree," he grins; one fang pokes out impishly. His golden eyes burn with hunger as they gaze at me. He kisses me once, pouring out his passion and desire into my mouth where I could taste its intensity, then pulls me up and toward my room.
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Eighteen-year-old males, at least my eighteen-year-old male, have quite the sex drive. I do not think there has been an instance when we are alone together that we do not end up in bed pleasuring each other for hours. I guess I cannot put all of the blame on my lover. I have initiated my share of our love making bouts and have not refused any of his advances.
I brush the red-orange bangs back from his face, his head rests on my shoulder, and marvel at his beauty. His arm, draped over my abdomen, wraps around me a bit tighter and his eyes slowly creep open.
"Kouji will start to wonder if you still live with him at this rate," I say.
"Hmm," he contently intones snuggling closer to me. "He's curious 'bout ya. Wants ta meet ya. But, I told him not til' ya were ready ta meet him."
"Do you want to tell him?" I ask.
I think he has about drifted back to sleep when he answers.
"Don't know. Either way I get teased. How would it affect y'r job? Hell, I don't want to get ya fired or anything."
"We did not start seeing each other till well after you finished my class," I say trying to hide my doubt.
"But it sure the hell looks suspicious," he freely adds.
I sigh.
"I am sure people have seen us running around campus with Miaka," I point out. "So, they know we know each other. If they ask, we tell them the truth."
"That a friend got us together," he smiles.
"Yeah," I agree. "And if they want to can me over it, let them," I say bristling at the idea of anyone questioning our love.
"I'd rather keep us low keyed till next year at least," he says fingering my cheek. His concern for me is clearly evident on his face. "I might have ta tell Kouji before then. He'll keep his mouth shut – or else."
"When you deem appropriate," I say and kiss him. "I have to get up and get ready for work."
He disappointingly groans as I untangle myself from him and the sheets.
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The next evening I return home and meditate. As soon as I slip into my meditation, Taiitsukun meets me once more at her mountaintop.
"How is fang-boy?" she asks with a coarse chuckle.
"Genrou is well," I answer.
I look around the room for my other self and find him absent.
"Sit!" she orders and I lower myself onto the cushion before her. "Hotohori will soon make his decision."
I solemnly nod.
"If he agrees, you will tell me how to retrieve them?" I ask.
Before Taiitsukun answers a cry of "DAAAAAA!" erupts in the room as a chibi monk runs in chased by three Nyan Nyan.
"Come back, Chiri-san, we want to fix you," they bubble eagerly.
"No DA!" the chibi cries as he runs around the room. "I'm fine na no da."
"We fix. We put you back together," they enthusiastically shout.
The chibi vaults over my head from behind and lands in my lap. I gasp at the sudden weight pressed against me.
"No, no, no, no," he says into my shirt while shaking his head back and forth.
His small hands hold tightly to my shirt.
The Nyan Nyan soon close in around us.
"We fix! We Fix!" they happily chirp.
The chibi in my lap turns and suddenly holds a miniature shajukou in his hands. He waves the shajukou at the Nyan Nyan.
"Stay back na no da!" he exclaims in a squeaky voice.
"Nyan Nyan, leave them alone!" demands Taiitsukun. "You cannot reintegrate them," she firmly states.
The hyper girls turn down their enthusiasm a notch or two and pull away from us. The chibi contently settles into my lap obviously with no intent of leaving it. He happily hums to himself and plays with the end of his kesa. The commotion has settled so I give Taiitsukun my attention once more.
"I will tell you now, but it will only work if all are committed to the endeavor," Taiitsukun says ignoring the chattering Nyan Nyan behind her.
"If he says no," I hesitantly ask, "is there any hope of me remembering my past life?"
The chibi stands facing me and captures my face between his two hands pulling my cheeks forward till I am sure I look like a fish. His smiling masked face beams at me.
"I can tell you of your life no da," chibi says. "I know it all no da. You were born Ri Houjun in the land of Konan…."
"He all ready knows the basics," Taiitsukun says. "Now Chichiri, if you are going to stay in that form sit down and behave!"
The chibi deflates and collapses back into my lap. He sulks over the rebuke but for some reason has chosen not to revert to his full size form.
"The barrier will breakdown over time, and you will continue to remember moments here and there just like you have been. However, they will be disjointed and incomplete. Possibly before you die you might remember most of your life."
I sigh at the notion.
"You will just have to rely on Hotohori to agree," she points out with a smirk that does not reassure me. "Read this."
A poof of displaced air accompanies the appearance of a scroll before me. I manage to catch it before it hits the sleeping chibi curled up in my lap. I open it and read the ritual. I start to read it a second time when Taiitsukun stops me.
"There is no need to memorize it. The scroll will return to your world with you," she says. "Do you have any questions about it?"
"The process is simple enough, but how will this affect Taka and Miaka?" I ask setting the scroll on my leg. "Will Miaka remember her past lives?"
"No," Taiitsukun answers. "This will only unlock the past lives for the seishi. It will, however, make it easier for all of you, Miaka included, to remember in your coming lives."
"And Taka?" I ask.
"He has no past lives to remember. He is still living his first one since he did not die. His body was transformed to live in Miaka's world and given a past in it," she answers. *[I have not seen the OVA, so I am making this up as I see fit. And, I thought this would explain why he still has the ring at the end of the series.]
"I see," I say. I search for other questions but find none. "What else do I need to know?" I ask.
"You have all you need," she says floating closer to me. "If you do need my advice, I will be here. Now wake the chibi!"
I gently shake the chibi. He adorably coos a "da" before his eyes flutter open. He looks up at Taiitsukun then at me. He sleepily rolls from my lap. Standing beside Taiitsukun, he rubs at his eyes.
"Good bye, Houjun, no da," chibi says.
I find myself falling once more before waking in my apartment.
~=88=~ ~=88=~ ~=88=~ ~=88=~ ~=88=~ ~=88=~
"Chiri, I found her," Genrou says across the phone line as soon as I answer.
"Who have you found?" I ask smiling at the excitement in his voice.
"I found Ru-shi – well she is Eishi now, but it is her! She is studying to be a doctor at another of the local universities."
It takes me a bit to remember whom Ru-shi was and remember she was Genrou's sister in our second life. They had a much better relationship than he does with his current five sisters.
"Chiriko and I found her at the hospital when we stopped by to see Mits. She was volunteering there. I could not believe it when I saw her," he rushes.
"Let me guess, you made a complete fool of yourself trying to befriend her," I say confidently.
"Weeeelllll," I can hear the embarrassed blush. "Yeah I fucked it all up. But, Chiriko bailed me out, so now she doesn't think I am a total psychopath."
I chuckle at his rush-in approach.
"Did ya know Chiriko has an older brother?"
"I am aware of that," I say slowly.
"He goes to the same university as Eishi. Chiriko noticed her university badge. That got them to talking and got us on her good side. I don't think Chiriko and his brother are on good terms," Genrou adds.
"His brother does hold a grudge against Doukun," I say.
"Poor Chiriko," Genrou says sounding truly concerned for the boy. "What he do ta deserve that?"
"He shines a bit too brightly," I answer.
"Huh?" Genrou asks confused.
"Doukun's academic achievements eclipse his brother's efforts and hold their parents' praise. It is the cause of a rift in their relationship. They don't talk much."
"Shit, Chiriko's a sweet kid. His own brother abandoning him…. I think he needs to meet my tessen."
"Burning someone to a crisp will not solve the problem, Genrou," I caution.
"But I'd feel a hell of a lot better," he responds.
"It would not help Doukun. Right now he just needs us to be his friends."
"Y'r right," Genrou agrees. "Well, Chiriko just came back. We're gonna eat dinner with Kouji, but I wanted to tell ya my news."
"That will be good for him, just don't haul him out drinking or anything," I say imagining ways Genrou could corrupt the innocent Doukun.
"I wouldn't do that. I'll talk ta ya tomorrow."
I hang up the phone after saying good-bye. I smile at the connection that has obviously developed between the two. Since regaining his memories and his brothers, Doukun has been more cheerful and relaxed. He definitely gets out more – even if it is because Genrou drags him from the dorm.
The knock on the door draws my attention. I instinctively reach out sensing who is at the door. Two familiar kis wait for me to open the door.
"Nuriko, Hotohori," I smile in welcome. "Please, come in."
They both bow and enter. I direct them to the main room and ask if they would like some tea.
"Tea would be very nice," Nuriko says taking a seat.
"I'll be a moment then," I say.
With tray in hand, I return with tea, cups, and a plate of finger food. I set it on the coffee table. I serve them before sitting down with my cup. I sip at my tea.
"How are you?" I ask to break the silence.
"We are well," Hotohori answers sitting stiffly upright on the couch.
Nuriko nudges him and gives him an encouraging gesture.
"I talked to the others again and Ryuuen," he says.
I might be mistaken, but I believe there is a touch of fear behind his words.
"What did you learn?" I ask trying to sound casual and comforting.
"They all gave me something to think about. Chiriko suggested that I consult Ryuuen," he answers.
"I told him he should do it," Nuriko says tapping his foot impatiently. "We can't leave you without your memories, Chichiri. We will deal with whatever consequences come from it."
He rests one well-manicured hand on Hotohori's thigh.
"Hotohori?" I ask for affirmation. "Do you really want to go through with it? The ceremony will not work if you are not committed."
"Hai, I am sure," he answers looking at Nuriko and rests his hand on top of Nuriko's. "I will trust what we have now is greater than any ancient memory."
I smile at them.
"Arigatou," I whisper choking with emotion. "Arigatou."
"What do we have to do?" Nuriko asks looking at me.
I explain to them my meeting with Taiitsukun and receiving the scroll. We decide to hold the ceremony at their place in a few days. That way, I have time to gather up the supplies I need and inform the others.
~=88=~ ~=88=~ ~=88=~ ~=88=~ ~=88=~ ~=88=~
We gather at Nuriko and Hotohori's flat to perform the ceremony. I instruct them to form a circle with Miaka in the center. They orderly comply. I stride around the circle handing out sheets of paper.
"This is the script for the ritual," I say.
The paper rustles as they read through he pages. I hand the last one to Miaka.
"This will bring back everyone's memories of all past lives," Taka says.
"Hai," I respond taking my place in the circle. "Except you and Miaka."
I grasp my shakujou and erect a protective barrier around us.
We start with our pledge of loyalty and desire for the knowledge. Taka being the first seishi starts.
"I, Tamahome, pledge my loyalty to Suzaku and to protect Miaka for all eternity. I ask for the return of our pasts to aid in our cause."
Power slowly gathers with his words. It builds as each of us adds our promise. Chiriko is the last, and it almost crackles in the air.
Miaka's turn: "Mists of time and memory roll back to reveal what once was. Impart to my seven warriors the lives they lived. May they always remember."
All of us together say, "By the will of Suzaku."
The energy takes form. A red bird of flames rises above Miaka. His cry fills the room and reverberates in my mind. I feel embraced in unbounded love.
Floodgates open overpowering me with memories as the light abates.
I stager. I clutch my shakujou and sag to my knees. My hands slide down the smooth rod and my eyes close. Warm arms hold me and a beloved voice asks me if I am all right.
"I am a bit overwhelmed, no da," I say with eyes still shut.
"Welcome back," he whispers in my ear and hugs me tighter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's notes and review responses:
Yatta! End of chapter 11 and Chichiri has his memories back. ^_^ Happy dance! *Tasuki and Kouji with arms locked spin around* Hope this chapter answers a lot of your questions.
One more chapter left. I have sent it off to Moonlady to proof read, so hopefully it will be ready for next weekend. I have such mixed feelings as the story comes to an end… but what author does not. ^_^
Thank you for reading and all you support. It had made this story better than I had originally intended.
Babbling Brook
Yaoi-Rules: ^_^ Well, sometime in the past year… maybe longer… I don't remember, they removed the NC-17 rating because they did not want that type of material on their site. So any story marked NC-17 was removed at a given date. There was a big stink about it and many authors decided to post at other places that would not restrict them. This has not stopped steamy descriptive scenes from turning up in the R rated stories.
Part of that, I believe is bases on how people define a lemon. I have seen some people think just having two people in bed constitutes a lemon while others it takes lengthy detailed descriptions of the act to be one.
I believe FF.net is relying heavily on the readers to report stories that step over the line. I don't know how often readers do this. I know I don't. I'm doing good to review the story. This also requires the readers to know such material is not deemed appropriate – which you seemingly were unaware of. [I poked around a bit to see if I could find their policy on it, but could not easily find it.]
So posting anything that would require a NC-17 rating is a gamble that some people are taking.
OK. I have rambled on enough about this. Probably more than you wanted to know. ^_^
Arsronus Liadon: Ahh… so cool to have the FY ending song come on while finishing the chapter. I agree with you. It is very sweet and warm an fluffy. ^__^
DreamFeathers: ^_____^ Yes, they are together! I know it took a while, but I think it was worth the wait. ^_~
I could not resist the Gravitation reference. I once read Songs of the Heart by Moonraven. [A very good story, that I have unfortunately never got around to revewing. :-( ] It is a crossover between Gravitation and FY. When I did read it, I had not read any of the Gravitation manga. I digress, I got the idea of crossing those two world from that story. It seems fitting. A world with a blue haired teacher can easily have a pink haired pop star. I have not heard any of Gravitation's music, but took the description from volume 1. I have not seen the series but plan on it as soon as I can get my hands on it.
Poor Hotohori is confused, and you are right, he should not have anything blocking him from remembering. Those are all good guesses. But, now it is all straightened out.
*pats sobbing reader's back* There… there… it will be all right. This story has to end, because I have no where else to go with it. But be assured, I have other FY stories in the works – they are just not coming along very quickly.
Kouryou Sanomi: Your are right on the mark there. ^_^
Akennea: Thanks.
Unofficial Schwarz: ^_____^ I could not resist the Gravitation cameo, and I feel that make-out scene was one of my better make-out scenes. Not that it was perfect, but better than past attempts.
No one seems to want it to end. Even a part of me is sad to see it come. You well have to wait till the next chapter for the conclusion.
Minerva Teller of tales: Thank you. I like ending things with warm fuzzies.
Aryll: Thank you for such positive feedback.
Raxz: Well, carp was what my original lemon was. ^_^ I think I am just now getting suitable steamy make-out scenes. Maybe further down the road… maybe… I will take a stab at it again and post it someplace… maybe.
Glad you find the rest of the story to be great.
Moonraven: I understand. It can be hard to keep up with stories when real life calls.
roku kyu: That line always gives me a bit of a hentai grin. Hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
Bonnie Lass: Thank you. In this case, I think it would have.
Alatril Carnesr: Kouji playing video games was inspired by my college age brother. I could not resist the Gravitation reference. I was wondering how many people would catch it. I have not seen the show but have read the first 4 books.
rath: ^_____^ Aren't they so cute together na no da?
