Chapter 3
Chichiri's POV
by Xellas M.
Nothing would ever erase the memory of being tackled by Tasuki, pinned down, and so nearly kissed. Because that was what had almost happened, Chichiri knew it.
Although the bandit's tone had bordered on aggressive, as he demanded reassurance afterward, he had seemed so lost. The monk assumed a control he barely held as he stilled his own trembling to try to calm his friend. It almost worked. The frightened and slightly wild look on the fire seishi's face was replaced by a radiant and open smile that the monk couldn't help but return.
Chichiri knew his maskless face had given away too much when the joy in Tasuki's expression was again replaced by guilt and confusion. The monk's own smile disappeared.
Minutes later, Chichiri realized with a start that they were still staring at each other in silence. Nervously, he leapt in to fill the gap.
"Tell you what, Tasuki no da. We have been walking for a long time, no da. Just up ahead there's a nice spot. Let's camp early and relax, no da!"
The bandit's enthusiasm was forced as he replied, a bit too loudly, "I must've knocked some sense inta ya then – you're on and don't ya dare try backing out!" Again, it was Tasuki that led the way, turning back to the path and setting an unusually fast pace.
Chichiri rolled his eyes, even though he couldn't help smiling at the rapidity with which his friend had leapt to seize both the suggestion that they relax and the opportunity to cut through even a tiny portion of the thick tension in which they had been trapped.
He followed, quickly catching up with the redhead, their strides naturally settling to compliment each other. It was just like always but nothing was the same. From the moment he had felt Tasuki's warm breath on his face, the things that had brought him so much pleasure earlier had completely ceased to matter. The weather, the birds, and even the sunshine were just a two-dimensional backdrop. Only himself, the man he loved, and the path they were traveling together held any real importance.
Lost in his thoughts, he began lifting his mask back to his face when another piece of the puzzle snapped into place, arresting the movement.
His gaze flickered to his side where Tasuki walked, head down and absently rubbing his chest as though in pain. The monk looked back to the slip of paper smiling up at him and paused. It had suddenly occurred to him that the bandit had removed it twice that day, once by request and once with a surprisingly gentle touch. Could it be that the bandit preferred him to go without, scar and all?
There was just the briefest temptation to put it back on, to pretend nothing had happened and to gently dissuade Tasuki from any further gestures of that nature. To try to keep their friendship just as it was: unchanged, comfortable. The thought was quickly banished. The eyeless slits of his mask were the ultimate reminder that all life was change and that becoming too attached to the way things were inevitably brought suffering. And if he were wrong, if this was all a product of an overactive imagination and Tasuki did not or could not love him, then later he would cry. For now, he would allow himself to be truly alive.
He placed the mask in his small bag, firmly resolving not to wear it again until they came to a city.
It was the first action he had ever purposely taken in the hopes of both attracting and pleasing Tasuki. He heard his friend breathe sharply and looked over to see the redhead staring a little too obviously at the road, his face burning with a blush that said more than any words could have just how accurate Chichiri's guess had been.
The idea that he could have such an effect on the beautiful young man made the monk feel so light as to be almost giddy. The sensation actually reminded him quite a bit of the time Tasuki had, under the guise of honoring their lost friends, tricked him into drinking a few too many of something he called a 'Nuriko Special'.
The memory gave him a wicked idea. He had no idea how far Tasuki's attraction went, but was determined to find out. A cunning plan began to form within the deep recesses of the monk's logical mind.
They were apparently moving much faster than the well seishi had realized, because when he looked around again he found that they had nearly reached their campsite. The redhead must have been truly shaken; not only had he been the one to set the pace, but he hadn't complained once since they had resumed their journey. Chichiri melted. He wanted more than anything to take Tasuki in his arms, hold him, and tell him everything was alright. If he was even half as frightened as the mage suspected, however, that option could prove painful.
"Tasuki-kun." The monk called out softly.
The bandit in question did not hear him, apparently preoccupied with a fluff of pollen that had the audacity to land on his dark coat.
"Tasuki-kun, no da!" Chichiri repeated, more loudly.
Still no reaction. At this rate, the seishi would be back at the palace before the bandit became aware of his surroundings.
The monk reached out gently. At first he only thought to grasp the redhead's arm, but the bandit had simultaneously chosen that exact moment to turn and finally acknowledge his friend's presence. Still, although it trembled slightly, Chichiri's hand did not falter, landing instead on the soft fabric of Tasuki's coat, directly above his heart. There was barely time to register its furious beating before the fire seishi backed away.
"Wh-what the fuck? I heard ya, dammit!" Despite the exclamation, it wasn't anger that darkened the young man's tanned skin.
"We're here, no da." Chichiri shrugged, knowing full well that without the mask his friend would see the smile that kept trying to sneak its way onto his face. He couldn't help it; new possibilities seemed to come alive with every blush and stammer, every sign that their lives were truly linked together.
Tasuki blinked and looked at their surroundings. The monk watched as his friend registered what definitely was a perfect campsite. A gentle stream flowed nearby, crystal water flowing over rocks worn smooth through the passage of time. Ancient trees grew along its banks, dominated by a particularly graceful willow tree that seemed to be made for sleeping under. There were abundant signs of rabbits and the like; occasionally, when the wing seishi grew tired of fish, he amused himself by using his gift of speed to run down something a little different.
"Not too bad, but it's still outside. An' I'm guessin' that stream ain't made of sake." The young man commented, playfully pretending to be unimpressed.
The monk smiled, mischief alight in his single eye. "Funny you should mention that. If you don't mind setting up, I have an errand I'd like to run, no da." Chichiri didn't give his friend a chance to reply, setting his kasa on his head and disappearing.
* * * * *
It took a little longer than the monk had hoped, but finally the owner of The Bullfeathers Inn of Konan's capital agreed to part with a quantity of his precious sake. It was Tasuki's favorite, renowned throughout the kingdom, but the innkeeper had made it a point of honor -and good business- not to allow any to leave his establishment. Fortunately for the monk, it was difficult for anyone to refuse a personal favor to one of the last of Suzaku's seishi and eventually the monk was able to return to his friend with several bottles of the precious substance carefully packed away.
He returned to his kasa, stifling a small amount of disappointment that the fire seishi hadn't chosen to wear the hat this time. It would have made for a very happy landing.
"Back, no da!!!" Chichiri announced happily.
"What the hell was all that about? Dammit, I had ta set everything up all by myself – "
The mage did not say a word, simply held up a bottle of sake.
"And I hope you know you're cooking dinner now and – HELL YES!!!!" The bandit's tirade ended in a joyful shout. Automatically he ran to embrace the blue-haired man, but stopped himself just shy of tackling his friend again. Instead, he reached for the bottle.
"How rude, no da!" Chichiri teased, snatching the prize away from Tasuki's questing fingers.
The bandit growled. Not a playful growl, but one that meant business. It would even have been a little frightening if it hadn't been so cute. Glaring at the older man, he again attempted to take the wine.
Chichiri took a full step back. "No way, no da. Not until you say 'please', na no da." He mock scowled at the fire seishi as he protectively cradled the bottle to his chest.
Quick as an eyeblink, Tasuki was practically on top of him. Barely an inch of space was left between their standing bodies.
"An' what are ya gonna do ta stop me if I don't?" The redhead challenged.
The monk looked into his friend's eyes and lost his ability to breathe, let alone speak. Golden irises were burning with unmistakable desire even as a deep flush began working its way from the fire seishi's face to his neck. Chichiri watched and waited. It seemed that any second now Tasuki would lower his head the tiny bit it would take to bring their lips together.
Instead, Tasuki lowered his eyes as he took the bottle from Chichiri with a trembling hand. The mage offered no resistance; he had entirely forgotten the liquor existed. The bandit did not stop to gloat over his victory. He immediately opened the bottle and took a very long drink.
"Maybe now it won't be sake that's on your mind." The mage murmured quietly.
* * * * *
~ End Chapter 3