Warnings and Disclaimers on Chapter one!!

Thanks: Thank you to everyone! I'm so sorry that I haven't updated for like a year, but with this year being the hardest in school for me, I haven't had any time or creative juices to share with everyone. I feel horrible that this story was abandoned for so long, but I'm back! Super thanks to Wispering Wind, willow, star, Quoth the Raven (bows in thanks many many times) and Hikari Shiro (I think it is 2 of your reviews that aren't visible… oh well, thanks so much anyways!) for all your support even though I've been such a irresponsible writer. Therefore, I promise to not abandon this story for such a long period of time ever again! looks at huge pile of story ideas and unfinished storylines sighs I promise though!

Willow's Heart—The Return

-Normal POV-

"Nuriko! Stop!" The call echoed throughout the palace grounds drawing guards and servants to the palatial gardens. Concubines gathered and cried out collectively and the sight of an unconscious emperor and his fellow seishi. However, by that time, no one saw the black and blue energy or the sudden disappearance of a Seiryuu general and his prize.

Whispers of, "What happened? Are they dead? No, they're still alive. Is the emperor okay? Something big must have occurred," whisked through the mouths of every person of the palace. No one knew that the unconscious seishi had lost someone that meant something or even the world to them.

-Seiryuu stronghold-

Amiboshi was sitting in one of the gardens. He was listening to the stars and their silent melody. He smiled contentedly and then saw a flash of beautiful rose eyes. Amiboshi shook his head, but then kept staring up at the sky which held the most beautiful image he had ever seen. He suddenly felt a pull of chi from behind. Spinning on his seat, he saw the familiar features of Nakago.

"Nakago-sama!" He bolted off the bench as he saw the person in Nakago's arms. "Nuriko-kun! What happened?" 

"The Suzaku seishi found out," Nakago said bitterly. "I'm taking him to my room. Amiboshi, get a cloth and water."

"Hai, Nakago-sama!" Amiboshi ran towards the main building, meeting a maid on the way and asking her to bring the water and cloth to Nakago's quarters. However, he kept running after that. He found his way in front of the room he shared with his brother. "Suboshi! Suboshi, wake up!" The door opened slowly and Amiboshi's mirror image looked back at him with sleep-filled eyes.

"Daijoubu, aniki?"

"Iie. Nakago-sama just came back with Nuriko-kun. I didn't get a good look at him, but he seemed hurt." Amiboshi saw his brother's slight shock and then strange indifference. "Onegai, Suboshi… come with me. Help me make this easier on my heart."

"You fell in love with him," Suboshi whispered under his breath as he saw Amiboshi's face. Amiboshi nodded, a little bit ashamed at his sudden liking of a supposed enemy. "Fine." The elder of the twins looked up in surprise. "I will come with you, aniki. I cannot decide who you love. I just hope he truly is worthy of your affections."

"Nothing will occur between us. He is with Nakago." Suboshi eyed his brother for a while before heading off in the direction of Nakago's quarters leaving his brother to chase after him. Amiboshi was frozen, but then began to run. In his mind, he thanked his brother for his acceptance. His mind focused on the matter at hand and he kept on running hard.

They burst in through the doors to find Nakago tending to Nuriko. The general's mask seemed to have disappeared. He looked worried and slightly tired. Amiboshi took a step towards the bed and felt himself being shoved further ahead by his brother. Just looking at Nuriko's overly pale skin and blue-tinged lips was very worrying.

"Nakago-sama, what happened?"

"I think I am losing control." Amiboshi's head snapped up at their leader's words. "His memories are coming back to him; those of the Suzaku seishi… who he really is. I think I will have to cast a stronger spell."

"Is that a wise idea?" Suboshi asked from the foot of the bed where he had settled against one of the bedposts. "He is becoming a liability."

"Are you questioning me?" Nakago threatened.

"He is making you weak. He is making everyone weak." Suboshi caught his brother's eye. "I know what you see in him. Yes, he is beautiful and strong, but this appeal only came from that spell. You are lusting after something that is not real." Nakago's hand was at his throat a moment later. Suboshi stared defiantly at the blue-eyed general. For some reason, Nakago wasn't as intimidating as before. Worry was evident behind those icy blue eyes.

"N…Nakago…" A soft voice caught all their attentions. In a blink of an eye, Nakago was at Nuriko's side and Suboshi was running his hands over his red throat.

"Nuriko-koi, just rest and recover your strength –"

"—Tasuki. I remember him. Everything from the past with him." Nuriko sat up and rubbed his temple. "Everything with him was happy." His tone was contemplative and he was so absorbed in his thoughts, he could not feel Nakago's emotions through their link. "I don't understand… if I was happy, why would I want to forget… my golden bandit." Nakago reached out a hand and started whispering a spell. A flash of light, red laced with gold, knocked him backwards. Nuriko was alarmed. He stared at his lover with wide rose eyes. "What are you trying to do?" Nuriko scrambled off the other side of the bed. He was shaking hard.

"Nuriko-koi…"

"That's right, I'm your lover. I… love you… but what you were trying to do… a spell? Love… love… love…" Nuriko's voice became softer, but he didn't become any less confused. "What is love? If you are casting a spell on me… what is love?!" Nuriko screamed the last sentence. He backed away until he hit the wall, as far from Nakago as he could get. "Tasuki… Gen-chan… do I love him? Will he betray me as you have?" His breathing became labored. "Nakago… tell me the truth. Who am I?" Nakago approached him carefully, his emotions in a jumble, but knowing the possibilities of this encounter. "Stay where you are!" Nuriko yelled before his legs gave way and he sat on the floor. "Just stay there and tell me the truth. If you love me, you'll tell me."

"That is exactly why I won't. I'm not losing you."

"Don't be such a coward!" Rose eyes flashed dangerously. "I don't even know if my feelings are real, if I'm real!"

"You're not," Suboshi ground out angrily.

"Suboshi!" Amiboshi's eyes shot to his younger twin in surprise.

"My mind is telling me two different things. I need to know what is true. Please tell me." Nuriko met Suboshi's eyes, but then saw Amiboshi. "Ami-chan… you said you cared for me…" The rest was unsaid, but as Amiboshi looked into those pleading rose eyes, he knew exactly what he wanted.

"Nuriko, I…"

A blast of blue chi. Amiboshi and Suboshi were both knocked to the ground. Nuriko breath caught in horror. Another stronger blast and Nuriko lay still, bleeding slightly from a wound in his shoulder. Nakago's ice blue eyes no longer held a trace of caring or worry. He was angry. He was angry because he knew fear. Nakago left the room, followed closely by Nuriko's unconscious, floating body. Amiboshi forced himself up even as he was in pain and made to go after the Kutou general.

"Aniki, don't. You can't help him." The elder of the twins looked at his brother and saw the desperateness in his eyes. "I don't want you hurt and if you go after Nakago, you will be."

"But, Nuriko-kun…"

"Later, aniki, not now." Amiboshi was confused, but helped his brother up and as twin blue eyes met, there was an understanding.

"When did you become so calm and calculating, Suboshi?" The sad smile spoke volumes.

Tbc….

Chapter chapter chapter! Well, this turned out okay, but ideas do come faster after seeing an emotional movie. What is Suboshi planning? What will happen to Amiboshi? Nakago is acting like an ass again. And Nuriko is finally starting to remember! Read the thanks about my promise not to abandon this story anymore! Please R&R! Much appreciated!

Nuriko no Tenshi