Warnings and Disclaimers on Chapter one!!

Thanks: Thank you to Chibi Leelee Milo (faithful reviewer of the summer! Arigatou!) for reviewing the last chapter! Luv everyone! R&R and don't forget it! Oh, this part is a bit more sex-y than I planned for it to be… gomen ne!

Willow's Heart-- The Writing

Tasuki's movements were a bit stiff even to him as he led the older seishi down the hall to the dining room. His thoughts about Nuriko had not gone away. The night he lay in his fellow seishi's bed, arms wrapped around Nuriko, he could not fall asleep for the longest time. Just holding him was something he had dreamed of doing for so long. He couldn't stop his mind in thinking about the person whose violet hair was currently flung lightly over the owner's shoulder with graceful felinity. His mouth went dry, but he continued to move. To Tasuki, it felt as if he was just moving with no thought or heart to it. All this time with Nuriko especially after all the events of yesterday… was it only yesterday that all these events ended?

"Tasuki-kun? Tasuki, why aren't you moving? Everyone's starting to stare." The world glanced back at the golden eyes and the bandit managed a lopsided grin. He found his body stuck to the ground almost with Tamahome staring strangely at him. "Tasuki-kun," His attention was drawn to the rose petals of Nuriko's eyes. "Let's sit, shall we?" The stronger seishi led the bandit slowly to the table where he maneuvered the still seishi into a chair. Nuriko bowed an apology to everyone at the table before sitting back down.

Hotohori sat at the head of the table and his eyes wandered intently on Nuriko. His eyes took in the violet clothes that were the shade of amethyst, slightly lighter than Nuriko's hair color. A simple silk scarf was tied around his waist, but what struck the emperor was the caring smile he bestowed upon the flame-haired bandit, as it seemed to be so much more. The emperor silently chided himself for the weakness of jealousy. There is nothing between them and I can restore the love we shared. Assurance was getting the emperor nowhere. Nuriko's gentle scan of the table caused their eyes to lock. The rose eyes went dull and cold, the smile sent Hotohori's way was bright, but never reached his eyes. Nuriko…

Mitsukake glanced up at the previously injured seishi and found himself surrounded by coldness in usually gentle eyes. He silently followed the line of sight and saw it directed at the emperor who quickly adverted his eyes from the icy stare.

The whole dinner went on silently with the group except when Hotohori got more food from his servants and with the sound of Miaka eating. Nuriko picked at his food. He needed to reach Nakago again to talk with him. Maybe that would calm him. So many things were running through the violet-haired seishi: his feelings for Tasuki, his feelings for Nakago, the letter, and Amiboshi's kiss. However, the problem that was currently sitting at the head of the table, Hotohori, was the most confusing. His thoughts and actions were being fully mixed with the past and pain of the Nuriko before him. His mind reeled violently in his skull, as thoughts jumbled and jumped over each other in strong battles. The splitting headache was too much and Nuriko stood suddenly, his chair making a loud screech across the polished floors.

"Gomen nasai, minna-san. I am not feeling too well. I am going back to my room." Nuriko noticed Tasuki getting up and he shook his head, "No, Tasuki, stay here and eat. I'm just going to rest. I don't need any assistance getting to my room." He directed a sweet and unassuming smile at the fiery bandit before bowing to everyone and leaving. Tasuki watched his retreating back and settled back in his seat. There was an uncomfortable silence.

"Something is very wrong, no da." Miaka, who currently had her mouth full, faced Chichiri before swallowing.

"What do you mean, Chichiri? The food tastes great!" Tamahome hit her lightly on the back of her head.

"I meant about Nuriko-san, no da. He has been feeling like this since this morning and refuses to let me do a magical checkup on him, no da, just to make sure he is not still under Nakago's influence." The blue-haired monk got many confused stares except from Tasuki who was still staring at the large doors leading outside. "Tasuki-kun, what do you think, no da?" Tasuki's attention snapped back and his eyes cleared back to the shimmering gold of habit.

"I didn't notice nothin' wrong wit' him," his accent suddenly getting thicker and deeper, "he seemed perf'tly fine ta me." Chichiri suspicions were being roused as each minute went by in the day. He would have to figure it all out before another seishi would be hurt by Nakago's actions.

*******

~Nuriko's POV~

I got back to my room and locked the door behind me. I had to read that letter before any maids invaded his privacy and decided to read it. I reached under my pillow and felt the roughness of the thick envelope. With the room full of the light of the sun, my fingers slowly peeled the seal off the flap and opened it. The letter lay in my hand taunting me to open it, so I did so, but carefully. A strange flash of blue light came from the letter and very familiar blue eyes came into view.

"By Seiryuu! Nakago!" I held a hand to my heart feeling the fast heartbeat underneath my clothes. He was looking down at me with a highly amused expression. "Don't look at me like that, Nakago! You nearly scared me to death." I calmed myself as he chuckled.

"That would not be the best way for a beautiful creature like you to die by." His deep voice brought me closure. In his voice, I was familiar. "Let me see you." I lifted my head and he bent down. I grinned at his intentions and swiftly dodged to the other side of the bed I was sitting on. "That's not very nice." He growled and a shiver went through my body. It was all such a comforting familiarity. He was looming over me, trying to look intimidating. That thing never did work on me.

"It's not very nice indeed." I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him into a passionate kiss. He fought for possession over the kiss and I gladly relinquished it to him after a while. "I missed you." I said to him with a soft inside tone once our lips separated.

"You don't know how much." He whispered into my ear before taking my earlobe and biting into it, making me yelp slightly then moan as he sucked on it. I opened my mouth to say something, but he choked my words with another one of his passionate kisses. "Have they not been feeding you, or are you refusing to eat?" He asked as he ran his strong hands over my ribs. I gave a light, breathy laugh before placing my hands over his. He smiled at me and I kissed the corner of his mouth before settling on the pillows with a sigh.

"They've been feeding me… intensely, but not forcing. I just don't feel like eating." I waited for Nakago to do something strange, like scold me, but he just touched his callused hand to my cheek and started a gentle stroking motion. "What's with the letter, Nakago? You wanted to surprise me?"

"Something like that…" His blue eyes bore into mine before shifting to our entwined hands and back again. "Amiboshi didn't know what was in the letter either." I almost froze at the mention of Amiboshi's name, my eyes sparkling with fake amusement. He had kissed me after all. Would Nakago be something as trivial as jealous? "Were you thinking something, love? I didn't hear you. Open your mind to me." His kisses traveled down my neck to my chest. My breathing became harsher as a familiar rhythm was built up again. It was beautiful and it soothed me while giving me intense pleasure. I did as my lover asked. I opened a part of my mind to him: the part of me lost in a sea of pleasure and love.

******

~Normal POV~

Nuriko turned over and onto Nakago's chest. He dropped a light kiss onto his lover's chest before resting his head on the firm surface. They were bathing in the glow of the "morning after" even though it wasn't really the morning after.

"By the gods! What if someone heard all that?" Nuriko's body snapped upwards with worry. Nakago pulled the younger man down again while massaging his back.

"No one heard anything, Nuri-chan. I put a time spell on your room. What seems like a few hours to us are a few seconds out there, which means your friends are still eating." Nuriko eyed his satisfied lover warily, but then got up, much to the chagrin of the blonde man lying on the bed. Nuriko looked out at the pole holding up the corner of the roof outside. The shadow was still in the same place and Nakago was right. His worries firmly put to rest, Nuriko found his way back to the warmth of Nakago's arms. "You know, you could have told me about that spell to begin with."

"No," Nakago punctuated his words with a kiss, "time." kiss, "I just," kiss, "wanted," kiss, "you." Nuriko made a soft sound in the back of his throat that sounded something like purring as his lover rolled on top of him. Nakago set his lips against Nuriko's throat and felt the vibrations there. He lifted his head from the attention to the younger man under him. "I should leave now. Soi will be panicking about now." Nuriko's fine features twisted.

"Is that all you care about? I know Soi's always liked you, but I didn't expect you to like her back when I'm here. Am I just another thing to you?" Nuriko was just playing, but a few of those words struck a cord inside his heart. His eyes stung with warm tears. Nakago looked slightly alarmed. "K'so! I hate it here, Nakago. I keep having these feelings from my past that I cannot resist. Sometimes, I don't even know why these feelings come out." He wiped angrily at his eyes with the back of his hand to get rid of the tears. Nakago took the viciously scrubbing hand in his and gently kissed his lover's palm. Nuriko made a content sound and his eyes glazed over with seduction. The blonde general sucked on Nuriko's forefinger and watched intently as the violet-haired seishi started panting, a light blush showing immediately on the pale skin. He bit down hard and drew blood, hearing Nuriko's surprised cry, before sliding over his lover's body to kiss him. Nuriko tasted the coppery tone of his own blood on Nakago's lips and pulled him closer. Their activities began once again and they forgot about having to leave.

***

~An hour later~

Nakago slid on his clothing and typical armor before giving a gentle kiss to his beautiful lover. "I don't know why you insist on wearing that armor. It's a hell to take off when I need you." Nuriko, who was still nude in bed, threw his arm over his forehead.

"Don't tempt me, Nuriko." Nakago growled and fastened his sword to his waist.

"But it's my job, Nakago-sama. I do nothing, but serve you." Nuriko winked and started to laugh, but then his expression became almost solemn. "Thank you, Nakago. Thank you for coming here."

"It was my pleasure, Nuriko." With those words, Nakago disappeared as quickly as he had come. Nuriko rolled over on his stomach and smiled to himself. This day wasn't as bad as he thought it might have been. He knew that the time spell had dissipated so he got dressed and headed out towards where his head told him was the river.

~~~~~~~

I have school now along with having to take the bus everyday and being on the yearbook staff. Especially on the Art and Lit part. It's just like my friend and we're in different schools too (Hey Yanagi no Tenshi!!). Anyways, all this means that I'll be really busy with homework and stuff. I will finish another chapter ASAP!!!! I promise cause I realli am getting into the feel of the story again. I'm sorry this part is short again. I hate myself for letting it be this way, but it ends right just there. Remember to R&R like you usually do… do you? Just R&R pleez and I'll keep going!

~Nuriko no Tenshi~