Hagaromo
chapter 3:
Fire and Ice
Shun found himself not wearing anything, but the frozen elements around him weren't effecting him so that was okay. Green eyes looked at the chains that bound him to a wooden pole, maybe an old tree trunk. From the scenery, he seemed to be on a high mountain. He looked down at the ground around his feet to see red blood and white bones. He gasped then struggled to release himself, but the chains were too tight.
"If only this was the nebula chain." he let his head fall, this was too much. He just wanted his cloth so he could go home and see his beloved brother and dear friends. The mighty cry of a great bird broke through the skies. "Ikki?" The green haired young man perked up and just before him there was the great flaming bird, the phoenix.
"Ikki!" Shun was so happy. "You came to rescue me didn't you? I'm so glad to..." Suddenly another great bird cried out. It was much lower in tone and pitch but no less loud as his brother. A huge swan swooped down from behind Shun and the great white bird and the great red bird attacked one another. It was a horrible clash of fire and ice.
"S-Stop it." Shun didn't want them to fight he didn't want his brother to hurt the swan or vice versa. He didn't know the swan but there was something about it that...he just couldn't let them fight. The green haired man strained against the chain so hard that it tore into his skin, soaking the silver with blood. "Sto~p!"
Shun sat up with a start. A small fire burned in the fireplace of the quaint but functional cabin. The green haired warrior pulled the furs closer because there was a chill in the air. After all of this, he hated the cold. He curled his legs up to his chest and rested his chin on the fur over his knees. His green eyes glanced around and saw no dog or even the stranger from last night.
"Oh my, I didn't even ask his name." Shun worried over his rudeness only a moment before the door swung open with a frightful slam. Shun exclaimed, nearly jumping out of his skin, he quickly covered his head with the furs and waited wondering what else could possibly go wrong.
"Oops." that same voice, that man that saved him. "Sorry." The tick tack of a dog's feet on hard wood clicked into the room. The door slammed again, closing this time. "I was getting some fire wood so my hands are full, I didn't mean to wake you." Shun stayed quiet and didn't move from under the furs. The dog pawed at the furs trying to get to their guest.
"Leave him alone Ivanava." the man told the dog who obeyed. "Listen, their's some food here by the fire. It's not very good but it's very nutritious so I suggest you finish it. I'm going out to chop some fire wood so help yourself to my cabin. There's some clothes in the other room there and I'll take Ivanava with me so he won't bother you." He threw a few logs on the fire and went to the door. "Please try to eat something, you've been sleeping for almost three days." The door opened and closed before Shun had the chance to come out of the furs and ask him...
"Three days?" He ran a hand through his green hair, it was soft and dry. "Has it been so long? Wha-Where are my friends?" he stood up, letting the furs fall around him. "Where is my hagaromo?" the young warrior paced about he room worrying for a moment. "What have I been doing all this..." Green eyes saw the bowel of stew next to the fireplace. "Of course, he must have been...taking care of me. All this time." Shun shook his head. "Why didn't I say something? I wanted to thank him and I just hid like that. I'm so stupid." he let his head hang in disappointment. His brother taught him better than that.
"Okay, Shun." He slapped his cheeks with both hands to focus. "First I..." he thought of bathing but he touched his body and found himself quite clean. "All while I was asleep..." he felt light headed for a moment but shook his green hair. "He was helping me. I've got to do something to repay him. At the very least, I must know his name, but first thing's first."
Shun headed for the other room. There wasn't much in the way of fashion in the closet, he frowned. Then he noticed a garment hanging on a wooden frame. It was a purple robe that seemed fairly similar to his flowing hagaromo. He slipped on some under clothes, some well fitting shorts and a small undershirt and then finished with the purple robe. It wasn't a hagaromo, but it would have to do. Then he choked down the stew that tasted bitter and tangy and there were little root like things that tasted more like meat than the chunks of rabbit or whatever gamey meat he was eating. Oh well.
Shun took a large drink of water and then noticed a small cake like treat just beside where he set his bowel. He popped the little pastry in his mouth and let it melt. He didn't even have to chew very much. It was like heaven in his mouth especially after that dreadful stew. He wished there was another one of those creamy, soft, yummy little pastries. It had such a delicate flavor and was so completely pleasing to his pallet.
It had been almost an hour since the stranger left to chop wood. Shun was feeling bad for not knowing his name and worse not thanking him when he should have taken the perfectly good opportunity to do so. He felt uncomfortable just sitting there being useless. The green eyed warrior decided to leave the safety and warmth of the cabin.
The large oak door opened wide to a cold draft. He closed the door behind him realized how still the air was. Green eyes saw a drop of water fall from the edge of the roof. The sun was high in the sky and the snow was starting to melt. The green haired man stepped out into the snow and spread his arms. //If only this radiant sun light could be the path to heaven, I would see you again brother. I miss you and my friends in heaven.//
"Come one Ivanava, be serious." the stranger's voice. It was nearby. He was laughing and Ivanava was barking. As Shun came around the corner of the cabin green eyes saw the white dog jumping and running around a man with wild shoulder length blond hair and the most beautiful blue eyes Shun had ever seen. "I'm trying to chop fire wood and you wanna play? You're such a selfish wolf." he messed the animal's snow white fur. The wolf jumped around some more as if waiting for his master to start the games.
"Ivanava is a wolf." Shun corrected his assumptions that told him dog. "But what's your name?" Green eyes traced back to this blond man. He was wearing only dark pants with light brown fur below the knees and a blue shirt with the sleeves cut off. Shun could see every muscle of his well defined arms, trunk...pretty much everything. This man was amazing to the heavenly being because he was getting a chill even though he was wearing this well covering robe.
"Okay, okay." The blond leaned down and the wolf followed suit, facing off like mortal enemies. The animal let his growl of warning ripple through the still air. Shun had a sudden sinking feeling. Was this wolf serious? Where they going to fight. The blue eyed man had his teeth bared too, in a playful smirk. Was this a part of the game or...
"Raw!" The man leaped at the wolf and the wolf leaped forward to meet him. His toothy jaws ready to snap. Ivanava took a bite on the man's arm and he grabbed the wolf by the scruff of his neck and threw him back. Ivanava skidded to a halt and took after the fleeing man. The man ran to the nearest tree and jumped, repelling off the wooden trunk and launching himself at the attacking animal. He held out his arm and caught the wolf by its throat. The two tumbled, but recovered quickly. "You wanna play rough today don't you?" the man grinned, sloughing off the excess blood that dripped from his arm.
"S-stop it." Shun managed, under his breath, holding onto the side of the cabin for emotional support. This was like his dream, two individuals he didn't want fighting each other.
"Haaaa!" They rushed at each other again, but this time the blond's fist connected first. He punched the white animal back. It caught itself, but had to shake off a little disorientation. "See what happens when you up the stakes? You, whao!" The wolf tackled him and the two rolled around so it was harder to see what was happening exactly, but the outcome was soon very clear. Ivanava managed to twist gaining just enough leverage to flatten the man on his back for the critical moment when the wolf closed his jaws around the man's neck.
"Stop! Please don't, Ivanava! Don't hurt him!" Shun was upset, not sure what was going on, but he just didn't want the man's neck to look like his injured arm. The two looked up like a pair of clueless kids. "Please..." Ivanava looked at the blond who was staring, entranced by something. Green eyes looked around to see what he was looking at. The white wolf bit the man's ear.
"Ouch!" The blue eyed man pushed the animal off of him. "Uh, don't worry." The blond got up and ruffled Ivanava's fur. "He'd never hurt me."
"But you're arm." Shun came to the blond and reached out but he hesitated not wanting to touch the wrong thing and possibly hurt him.
"What this?" he held up the bloody hamburger of his arm. "This is nothing." he quickly hid it behind his back. "It's a scratch." he waved his good hand to dismiss the other's concerns.
"You're neck is bleeding too." The green eyed celestial indicated with his whole hand, gingerly hovering over the broken skin.
"I..." the blond tilted his chin to the side, not sure if the green haired man was right or not. His blue eyes shifted, he looked a little guilty for making the other worry about him. The blond blinked, noticing something. "What are you doing out here with no boots on?"
"Uh," Shun blushed, stepping back to look at his feet. He had forgotten and although his feet were cold his mind was set so he just...didn't worry about it. "I was just," he stammered out an explanations, "I wanted to, see you," the blue eyed blond came closer. "I mean, thank you," Shun corrected himself. "I mean, I mean, the food was good and you took care of me and this robe is just..." the stranger was right in front of him now and his skin was a little sweaty, but his blond hair, his blue eyes and his sharp features were, "beautiful and...and..."
"Thank you." Those ice crystal blue eyes captured emerald.
"Uh, mm." the celestial managed to respond
"It was my mothers." he told the green haired man. That surprised the green eyed warrior, until he remembered that in his words, he had referred to the robe as beautiful. The second surprising thing was that this robe was a woman's garment. The flowing cloth below the waist split into dress-like pant legs. Well, even if it does belong to a woman the celestial was satisfied with his choice of clothing.
"Then, perhaps I should also thank her." Shun replied.
"I'll tell her, when I see her again." the blond smirked.
"Very well." Green haired bounced as he nodded. Shun shivered when the wind picked up.
"You have to take better care of yourself." The blond reached out for the green haired warrior.
"Wha-what are you doing?" Shun exclaimed being lifted like a maiden in distress.
"Listen, I'm not going to ask you why you were naked out there in the snow, it's really none of my business. But don't try it in my neck of the woods, okay?" he carried the green eyed man around the corner of the small cabin and Ivanava followed them, wondering if this was a new game. "There are plenty of bandits, slave traders and wild animals that would be more than happy to take advantage of someone like you."
"H-How do you know my clothes weren't taken by bandits?" It was a reasonable question and besides he was feeling a little defensive. He was a warrior of heaven being treated like a helpless mortal.
"I'd believe that." He had Ivanava pull on a little rope fixed to the latch of the door as he kicked the door open like before. Green eyes stared in wonder at Ivanava's intelligence, then back at the man who worked together in harmony with a normally feared predator. "Or I would have, if they sold you to the slave traders or maybe ransomed you off to some rich family you probably belong to."
"I'm not rich," the green haired man was set on the furs. Shun didn't like the way he said that, "but is that why you saved me?" The blond shut the door and picked something up near the door.
"No." The blue eyed man returned to Shun with a small box and a pair of slippers. "I saved you because my Papa found my Mama when she needed help," he opened the box of bandages, "and so I promised to always help those in need."
"Let me help you." blue eyes watched the celestial take some gauze pads and soft rolls of bandaging cloth. There was a moment of silence as Shun cleaned the wound on the blond's forearm. "Please continue." Green eyes glanced up, the silence was a little uncomfortable, especially with those gorgeous blue eyes just staring at him. The man seemed to catch himself as he looked away to see Ivanava laying down for a nap.
"Ivanava is a great help," he forced himself, "he's got the nose for searching in the snow storms." Shun started feeling strange, curious but something else too.
"So you'd do this for anyone?" the green haired man secured the ends of the bandage.
"Actually, there hasn't been a great need for it recently. You're the first one I've found in nearly two years. I guess people are finally taking my advice."
"Advice?" Shun took some more gauze pads and hesitated, not sure how to be casual about cleaning a neck wound. Granted it was just a scratch but...
"Sure." The blond stoked his bandaged arm, testing it's strength. "When I go into town to buy my supplies I hold an informal training session with the kids and whoever else will listen to me. You know, properly securing cargo and dog sleds, how to recognize and avoid frozen rivers, stuff like that." As if it was obvious. The green haired man wasn't sure how else to do it so he just leaned forward and touched his neck with the clean gauze. The blond was surprised and seemed to be nervous at first but then tilted his chin up and too the side so Shun could work freely.
"You live here alone?" he carefully touched the white gauze to soak the red blood from the scratch on his neck.
"After Mama disappeared, yeah." The blond said simply. Shun noticed that the scratch was so fine that it wasn't even bleeding anymore so he left it without a bandage.
"But you said..." Shun's mouth gaped, yet another surprise from the blond.
"I said, when I see her again," He moved to reach for a metal teapot suspended in the fire place. "I'll tell her thank you." He got two cups and mixed something with the steaming water.
"And your father?" The celestial was almost afraid to ask. The blond didn't hand the cup to the green haired man right away. It was probably too hot.
"I don't know, mama never told me." The blue eyed man sat close to Shun's legs and gently picked up the warrior's ankle. "Here she always wore these and judging from your feet these are the only shoes that will fit your dainty feet." he winked showing that he was teasing. The green eyed man pursed his lips, this man was vexing.
"I don't understand." he planted his hands on the furs behind him to balance his weight in this position. "Why couldn't your mother tell you?" The slipper was so soft, sliding onto his foot. The purple color and silky appearance matched the robe perfectly.
"I haven't seen him since I was four years old and I don't remember much, but mama was really sad for a long time." The blue eyed man put the other slipper on and secured them both with ribbons, wrapping up the other's ankle. "I asked my mother about him once and her expression, made me never want to ask again."
"Was she angry with you?"
"No. She was sad." he laid Shun's feet on the furs satisfied with his work.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so nosy." Shun tucked his feet under him as the blond got the two steaming cups.
"It's alright." he handed one to shun and sipped the one he kept. "Like I said, I haven't had company for almost two years. My conversational companion over there isn't very interested most of the time." he kicked the wolf and it groaned before it fell back to sleep.
"He's beautiful." Shun found himself appreciating this man and this animal and their small family. Just the two of them. //Like Ikki and I, well not just like...//
"He's my best friend and loyal companion. My papa found him too and my mama and I raised him."
"He plays a little rough though." Shun sipped the drink was a bit rich. It was thick and creamy like milk but also bitter like a cocoa bean. It was just sweet enough to counter the bitterness. It was so good and it radiated warmth throughout his chest.
"Oh, that?" he shrugged, "Nah, he's only rough with me. He loves kids and he's really gentle with 'em like they're his own pups."
"It's wonderful." Shun looked up from his cup. "Even though you're alone you have such a full life." the blond blinked, surprised by what the other said. Then he smiled. Such a simple, beautiful smile.
"I'm not alone." those blue pools reflected the fire light and maybe it was the drink but a warm feeling started burning deep within the heavenly being. Green eyes turned to his warm drink, afraid of being consumed by that fire.
"Ah!" The blond jumped when the celestial exclaimed. "Forgive me." Shun suddenly realized. "We've talked so much and I...I don't even know your name."
"Tell me yours first."
"Uh, of course. I'm Shun of the Andro..." the green eyed warrior caught himself. He still wasn't sure if he should reveal his true identity. His brother told him never to tell a mortal his heavenly title. "Shun," he corrected, "Just Shun."
"Shun." the blond tried it out. "I'm Hyoga."
"Hyoga." the warrior of the Andromeda constellation wasn't sure if he had ever heard a more perfect name for such an honorable, caring man.
"Nice to meet you."
"Like wise," Shun smiled brightly. This atmosphere, this home, it wouldn't be so bad to stay here a bit longer. The celestial could look for his hagaromo later. Green eyes noticed Hyoga turned to Ivanava who suddenly lifted his head and looked around. Shun was half finished with his drink when the blond took the cup from his hands and set it aside. "Hyoga?" There was a series of knocks on the thick door. The white wolf jumped up and barked at the door. Hyoga stood slowly, pulling Shun up to his feet.
"Hmm. More guests?" The blond had a smirk on his face as he approached the door. "Shun, you should go in the other room. I call you if I need you."
"But." Shun felt nervous. What's going on? Who could it be? Some kind of threat? Did Hyoga have enemies?
"Come on, you've got to trust me by now." The blond looked over his shoulder. Emerald eyes looked into blue. The celestial could say with all honesty that he did.
"I...of course." he obeyed and took Ivanava with him.
"Good afternoon." Hyoga used a pleasant, yet slightly sarcastic voice to great three men at his door. "How can I help you gentlemen?" Shun waited, his heart racing, wondering who it could be.
"We're searching for my brother..." the tallest and toughest looking of the three told the blond. He had short intensely dark blue hair, that was more wild than a porcupine and dark blue eyes almost as black as coal.
"Ikki?" The green haired young man rushed out before Hyoga was able to say anything.
"Shun?" The tall man shoved Hyoga aside to see if it was true. "Shun!"
chapter 3:
Fire and Ice
Shun found himself not wearing anything, but the frozen elements around him weren't effecting him so that was okay. Green eyes looked at the chains that bound him to a wooden pole, maybe an old tree trunk. From the scenery, he seemed to be on a high mountain. He looked down at the ground around his feet to see red blood and white bones. He gasped then struggled to release himself, but the chains were too tight.
"If only this was the nebula chain." he let his head fall, this was too much. He just wanted his cloth so he could go home and see his beloved brother and dear friends. The mighty cry of a great bird broke through the skies. "Ikki?" The green haired young man perked up and just before him there was the great flaming bird, the phoenix.
"Ikki!" Shun was so happy. "You came to rescue me didn't you? I'm so glad to..." Suddenly another great bird cried out. It was much lower in tone and pitch but no less loud as his brother. A huge swan swooped down from behind Shun and the great white bird and the great red bird attacked one another. It was a horrible clash of fire and ice.
"S-Stop it." Shun didn't want them to fight he didn't want his brother to hurt the swan or vice versa. He didn't know the swan but there was something about it that...he just couldn't let them fight. The green haired man strained against the chain so hard that it tore into his skin, soaking the silver with blood. "Sto~p!"
Shun sat up with a start. A small fire burned in the fireplace of the quaint but functional cabin. The green haired warrior pulled the furs closer because there was a chill in the air. After all of this, he hated the cold. He curled his legs up to his chest and rested his chin on the fur over his knees. His green eyes glanced around and saw no dog or even the stranger from last night.
"Oh my, I didn't even ask his name." Shun worried over his rudeness only a moment before the door swung open with a frightful slam. Shun exclaimed, nearly jumping out of his skin, he quickly covered his head with the furs and waited wondering what else could possibly go wrong.
"Oops." that same voice, that man that saved him. "Sorry." The tick tack of a dog's feet on hard wood clicked into the room. The door slammed again, closing this time. "I was getting some fire wood so my hands are full, I didn't mean to wake you." Shun stayed quiet and didn't move from under the furs. The dog pawed at the furs trying to get to their guest.
"Leave him alone Ivanava." the man told the dog who obeyed. "Listen, their's some food here by the fire. It's not very good but it's very nutritious so I suggest you finish it. I'm going out to chop some fire wood so help yourself to my cabin. There's some clothes in the other room there and I'll take Ivanava with me so he won't bother you." He threw a few logs on the fire and went to the door. "Please try to eat something, you've been sleeping for almost three days." The door opened and closed before Shun had the chance to come out of the furs and ask him...
"Three days?" He ran a hand through his green hair, it was soft and dry. "Has it been so long? Wha-Where are my friends?" he stood up, letting the furs fall around him. "Where is my hagaromo?" the young warrior paced about he room worrying for a moment. "What have I been doing all this..." Green eyes saw the bowel of stew next to the fireplace. "Of course, he must have been...taking care of me. All this time." Shun shook his head. "Why didn't I say something? I wanted to thank him and I just hid like that. I'm so stupid." he let his head hang in disappointment. His brother taught him better than that.
"Okay, Shun." He slapped his cheeks with both hands to focus. "First I..." he thought of bathing but he touched his body and found himself quite clean. "All while I was asleep..." he felt light headed for a moment but shook his green hair. "He was helping me. I've got to do something to repay him. At the very least, I must know his name, but first thing's first."
Shun headed for the other room. There wasn't much in the way of fashion in the closet, he frowned. Then he noticed a garment hanging on a wooden frame. It was a purple robe that seemed fairly similar to his flowing hagaromo. He slipped on some under clothes, some well fitting shorts and a small undershirt and then finished with the purple robe. It wasn't a hagaromo, but it would have to do. Then he choked down the stew that tasted bitter and tangy and there were little root like things that tasted more like meat than the chunks of rabbit or whatever gamey meat he was eating. Oh well.
Shun took a large drink of water and then noticed a small cake like treat just beside where he set his bowel. He popped the little pastry in his mouth and let it melt. He didn't even have to chew very much. It was like heaven in his mouth especially after that dreadful stew. He wished there was another one of those creamy, soft, yummy little pastries. It had such a delicate flavor and was so completely pleasing to his pallet.
It had been almost an hour since the stranger left to chop wood. Shun was feeling bad for not knowing his name and worse not thanking him when he should have taken the perfectly good opportunity to do so. He felt uncomfortable just sitting there being useless. The green eyed warrior decided to leave the safety and warmth of the cabin.
The large oak door opened wide to a cold draft. He closed the door behind him realized how still the air was. Green eyes saw a drop of water fall from the edge of the roof. The sun was high in the sky and the snow was starting to melt. The green haired man stepped out into the snow and spread his arms. //If only this radiant sun light could be the path to heaven, I would see you again brother. I miss you and my friends in heaven.//
"Come one Ivanava, be serious." the stranger's voice. It was nearby. He was laughing and Ivanava was barking. As Shun came around the corner of the cabin green eyes saw the white dog jumping and running around a man with wild shoulder length blond hair and the most beautiful blue eyes Shun had ever seen. "I'm trying to chop fire wood and you wanna play? You're such a selfish wolf." he messed the animal's snow white fur. The wolf jumped around some more as if waiting for his master to start the games.
"Ivanava is a wolf." Shun corrected his assumptions that told him dog. "But what's your name?" Green eyes traced back to this blond man. He was wearing only dark pants with light brown fur below the knees and a blue shirt with the sleeves cut off. Shun could see every muscle of his well defined arms, trunk...pretty much everything. This man was amazing to the heavenly being because he was getting a chill even though he was wearing this well covering robe.
"Okay, okay." The blond leaned down and the wolf followed suit, facing off like mortal enemies. The animal let his growl of warning ripple through the still air. Shun had a sudden sinking feeling. Was this wolf serious? Where they going to fight. The blue eyed man had his teeth bared too, in a playful smirk. Was this a part of the game or...
"Raw!" The man leaped at the wolf and the wolf leaped forward to meet him. His toothy jaws ready to snap. Ivanava took a bite on the man's arm and he grabbed the wolf by the scruff of his neck and threw him back. Ivanava skidded to a halt and took after the fleeing man. The man ran to the nearest tree and jumped, repelling off the wooden trunk and launching himself at the attacking animal. He held out his arm and caught the wolf by its throat. The two tumbled, but recovered quickly. "You wanna play rough today don't you?" the man grinned, sloughing off the excess blood that dripped from his arm.
"S-stop it." Shun managed, under his breath, holding onto the side of the cabin for emotional support. This was like his dream, two individuals he didn't want fighting each other.
"Haaaa!" They rushed at each other again, but this time the blond's fist connected first. He punched the white animal back. It caught itself, but had to shake off a little disorientation. "See what happens when you up the stakes? You, whao!" The wolf tackled him and the two rolled around so it was harder to see what was happening exactly, but the outcome was soon very clear. Ivanava managed to twist gaining just enough leverage to flatten the man on his back for the critical moment when the wolf closed his jaws around the man's neck.
"Stop! Please don't, Ivanava! Don't hurt him!" Shun was upset, not sure what was going on, but he just didn't want the man's neck to look like his injured arm. The two looked up like a pair of clueless kids. "Please..." Ivanava looked at the blond who was staring, entranced by something. Green eyes looked around to see what he was looking at. The white wolf bit the man's ear.
"Ouch!" The blue eyed man pushed the animal off of him. "Uh, don't worry." The blond got up and ruffled Ivanava's fur. "He'd never hurt me."
"But you're arm." Shun came to the blond and reached out but he hesitated not wanting to touch the wrong thing and possibly hurt him.
"What this?" he held up the bloody hamburger of his arm. "This is nothing." he quickly hid it behind his back. "It's a scratch." he waved his good hand to dismiss the other's concerns.
"You're neck is bleeding too." The green eyed celestial indicated with his whole hand, gingerly hovering over the broken skin.
"I..." the blond tilted his chin to the side, not sure if the green haired man was right or not. His blue eyes shifted, he looked a little guilty for making the other worry about him. The blond blinked, noticing something. "What are you doing out here with no boots on?"
"Uh," Shun blushed, stepping back to look at his feet. He had forgotten and although his feet were cold his mind was set so he just...didn't worry about it. "I was just," he stammered out an explanations, "I wanted to, see you," the blue eyed blond came closer. "I mean, thank you," Shun corrected himself. "I mean, I mean, the food was good and you took care of me and this robe is just..." the stranger was right in front of him now and his skin was a little sweaty, but his blond hair, his blue eyes and his sharp features were, "beautiful and...and..."
"Thank you." Those ice crystal blue eyes captured emerald.
"Uh, mm." the celestial managed to respond
"It was my mothers." he told the green haired man. That surprised the green eyed warrior, until he remembered that in his words, he had referred to the robe as beautiful. The second surprising thing was that this robe was a woman's garment. The flowing cloth below the waist split into dress-like pant legs. Well, even if it does belong to a woman the celestial was satisfied with his choice of clothing.
"Then, perhaps I should also thank her." Shun replied.
"I'll tell her, when I see her again." the blond smirked.
"Very well." Green haired bounced as he nodded. Shun shivered when the wind picked up.
"You have to take better care of yourself." The blond reached out for the green haired warrior.
"Wha-what are you doing?" Shun exclaimed being lifted like a maiden in distress.
"Listen, I'm not going to ask you why you were naked out there in the snow, it's really none of my business. But don't try it in my neck of the woods, okay?" he carried the green eyed man around the corner of the small cabin and Ivanava followed them, wondering if this was a new game. "There are plenty of bandits, slave traders and wild animals that would be more than happy to take advantage of someone like you."
"H-How do you know my clothes weren't taken by bandits?" It was a reasonable question and besides he was feeling a little defensive. He was a warrior of heaven being treated like a helpless mortal.
"I'd believe that." He had Ivanava pull on a little rope fixed to the latch of the door as he kicked the door open like before. Green eyes stared in wonder at Ivanava's intelligence, then back at the man who worked together in harmony with a normally feared predator. "Or I would have, if they sold you to the slave traders or maybe ransomed you off to some rich family you probably belong to."
"I'm not rich," the green haired man was set on the furs. Shun didn't like the way he said that, "but is that why you saved me?" The blond shut the door and picked something up near the door.
"No." The blue eyed man returned to Shun with a small box and a pair of slippers. "I saved you because my Papa found my Mama when she needed help," he opened the box of bandages, "and so I promised to always help those in need."
"Let me help you." blue eyes watched the celestial take some gauze pads and soft rolls of bandaging cloth. There was a moment of silence as Shun cleaned the wound on the blond's forearm. "Please continue." Green eyes glanced up, the silence was a little uncomfortable, especially with those gorgeous blue eyes just staring at him. The man seemed to catch himself as he looked away to see Ivanava laying down for a nap.
"Ivanava is a great help," he forced himself, "he's got the nose for searching in the snow storms." Shun started feeling strange, curious but something else too.
"So you'd do this for anyone?" the green haired man secured the ends of the bandage.
"Actually, there hasn't been a great need for it recently. You're the first one I've found in nearly two years. I guess people are finally taking my advice."
"Advice?" Shun took some more gauze pads and hesitated, not sure how to be casual about cleaning a neck wound. Granted it was just a scratch but...
"Sure." The blond stoked his bandaged arm, testing it's strength. "When I go into town to buy my supplies I hold an informal training session with the kids and whoever else will listen to me. You know, properly securing cargo and dog sleds, how to recognize and avoid frozen rivers, stuff like that." As if it was obvious. The green haired man wasn't sure how else to do it so he just leaned forward and touched his neck with the clean gauze. The blond was surprised and seemed to be nervous at first but then tilted his chin up and too the side so Shun could work freely.
"You live here alone?" he carefully touched the white gauze to soak the red blood from the scratch on his neck.
"After Mama disappeared, yeah." The blond said simply. Shun noticed that the scratch was so fine that it wasn't even bleeding anymore so he left it without a bandage.
"But you said..." Shun's mouth gaped, yet another surprise from the blond.
"I said, when I see her again," He moved to reach for a metal teapot suspended in the fire place. "I'll tell her thank you." He got two cups and mixed something with the steaming water.
"And your father?" The celestial was almost afraid to ask. The blond didn't hand the cup to the green haired man right away. It was probably too hot.
"I don't know, mama never told me." The blue eyed man sat close to Shun's legs and gently picked up the warrior's ankle. "Here she always wore these and judging from your feet these are the only shoes that will fit your dainty feet." he winked showing that he was teasing. The green eyed man pursed his lips, this man was vexing.
"I don't understand." he planted his hands on the furs behind him to balance his weight in this position. "Why couldn't your mother tell you?" The slipper was so soft, sliding onto his foot. The purple color and silky appearance matched the robe perfectly.
"I haven't seen him since I was four years old and I don't remember much, but mama was really sad for a long time." The blue eyed man put the other slipper on and secured them both with ribbons, wrapping up the other's ankle. "I asked my mother about him once and her expression, made me never want to ask again."
"Was she angry with you?"
"No. She was sad." he laid Shun's feet on the furs satisfied with his work.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so nosy." Shun tucked his feet under him as the blond got the two steaming cups.
"It's alright." he handed one to shun and sipped the one he kept. "Like I said, I haven't had company for almost two years. My conversational companion over there isn't very interested most of the time." he kicked the wolf and it groaned before it fell back to sleep.
"He's beautiful." Shun found himself appreciating this man and this animal and their small family. Just the two of them. //Like Ikki and I, well not just like...//
"He's my best friend and loyal companion. My papa found him too and my mama and I raised him."
"He plays a little rough though." Shun sipped the drink was a bit rich. It was thick and creamy like milk but also bitter like a cocoa bean. It was just sweet enough to counter the bitterness. It was so good and it radiated warmth throughout his chest.
"Oh, that?" he shrugged, "Nah, he's only rough with me. He loves kids and he's really gentle with 'em like they're his own pups."
"It's wonderful." Shun looked up from his cup. "Even though you're alone you have such a full life." the blond blinked, surprised by what the other said. Then he smiled. Such a simple, beautiful smile.
"I'm not alone." those blue pools reflected the fire light and maybe it was the drink but a warm feeling started burning deep within the heavenly being. Green eyes turned to his warm drink, afraid of being consumed by that fire.
"Ah!" The blond jumped when the celestial exclaimed. "Forgive me." Shun suddenly realized. "We've talked so much and I...I don't even know your name."
"Tell me yours first."
"Uh, of course. I'm Shun of the Andro..." the green eyed warrior caught himself. He still wasn't sure if he should reveal his true identity. His brother told him never to tell a mortal his heavenly title. "Shun," he corrected, "Just Shun."
"Shun." the blond tried it out. "I'm Hyoga."
"Hyoga." the warrior of the Andromeda constellation wasn't sure if he had ever heard a more perfect name for such an honorable, caring man.
"Nice to meet you."
"Like wise," Shun smiled brightly. This atmosphere, this home, it wouldn't be so bad to stay here a bit longer. The celestial could look for his hagaromo later. Green eyes noticed Hyoga turned to Ivanava who suddenly lifted his head and looked around. Shun was half finished with his drink when the blond took the cup from his hands and set it aside. "Hyoga?" There was a series of knocks on the thick door. The white wolf jumped up and barked at the door. Hyoga stood slowly, pulling Shun up to his feet.
"Hmm. More guests?" The blond had a smirk on his face as he approached the door. "Shun, you should go in the other room. I call you if I need you."
"But." Shun felt nervous. What's going on? Who could it be? Some kind of threat? Did Hyoga have enemies?
"Come on, you've got to trust me by now." The blond looked over his shoulder. Emerald eyes looked into blue. The celestial could say with all honesty that he did.
"I...of course." he obeyed and took Ivanava with him.
"Good afternoon." Hyoga used a pleasant, yet slightly sarcastic voice to great three men at his door. "How can I help you gentlemen?" Shun waited, his heart racing, wondering who it could be.
"We're searching for my brother..." the tallest and toughest looking of the three told the blond. He had short intensely dark blue hair, that was more wild than a porcupine and dark blue eyes almost as black as coal.
"Ikki?" The green haired young man rushed out before Hyoga was able to say anything.
"Shun?" The tall man shoved Hyoga aside to see if it was true. "Shun!"