Twister Of Love
AN: Well, everyone wants more. And Thanks to all that gave me suggestions for this fic! Because of you guys, I actually have a reason to continue! I also you want to know that because if this fic, I have limited my Chichiri/Tasuki lemon-spree to just a half hour in the mornings. The entire 10-12 o'clock block, and any other time I may have goes to the fic! The same warnings for the first chapter and all the chapters to follow. I would also like to say that all italics are dreams. In case you didn't figure it out by now, these are thoughts. Sometimes I will use '' for Tasuki/Genrou and '' for Houjun/Chichiri, it really depends on my mood. Just keep in mind that either of those can be used for thoughts. indicates a switch of scene and POV, it will also be used for Flashbacks. This part of the story just switches views a lot. I have babbled long enough! On with chapter 2 of Twister of Love!
Kanryou made his way down the hall and searched for Kaishin. Why was it that he could only bump into her by luck?
"Kanryou! Genrou is out cold!"
"What?" The doctor turned his head and saw Kaishin running down the hall towards him. "Genrou too?"
"What do you mean 'Genrou too'?"
"Houjun went out like a light when I mentioned about his home."
"Same with Genrou." The nurse said, surprised.
FLASHBACK
"So, I am back Genrou." Kaishin held out a plate with some sandwich cuts on it. They were triangles, and there were many different kinds to choose from. "Here, you said you were hungry."
"Oh!" Genrou's smile wide across his face, "Thank you so much. They look good." He reached out and placed the plate on the bedside table.
"I found out about Houjun for you." The nurse said as she pulled up a chair next to Genrou's bed.
"Really!" Genrou looked up. "When can I see 'im?" He was currently nibbling on the sandwich bites.
"I asked the doctor about it. The rules say that if the patient is able to make a decision, it must be left to the patient to decide."
"Is he ok?" His face was full of concern for his only good friend and work partner.
"To my knowledge, yes." She stood next to the chair with her hands on the back. "Can you walk? Or should I help you over to the chair? I need to change the bed so you can get ready. I am going down to Houjun's room in a minute to see if you can move in for now."
"You are? I thought he had to decide." Genrou got up slowly, he had been in bed too long without moving, and his legs were really stiff.
"Yes. But knowing the doctor, he will forget." Kaishin smiled. "And I said the patient had to decide, I never said we couldn't speed up the process." She was now working all the old sheets off the bed and getting new ones from the pantry.
Genrou got in the chair as he continued to snack on the sandwiches as he spoke. "I can't wait to see 'im."
"I guess it will be nice, but is being with Houjun is all you care about?" She looked confused as she finished putting new sheets on the bed. "What about home? Aren't you anxious to get to see your new place?"
Genrou was totally silent behind her. When Kaishin turned around, Genrou was passed out in the chair.
END FLASHBACK
Kaishin continued. "I checked him over and he was completely normal. It was as if he went to sleep."
The doctor replied. "And the only thing that we did that was the same was mention their homes."
"Why would the word 'home' trigger this to happen? HOW would the word 'home' trigger this to happen?" The nurse wondered out loud.
Kanryou stated. "I don't know, but neither of them are in a serious condition, they are having a tough life. We should just steer clear of the 'home' topic for awhile."
"Right." Kaishin still had a frown on her face, unnatural for her normal perky attitude. "Have you asked Houjun about Genrou moving in to be with him? Or at least visiting him?"
"I tried, but he passed out before I got an answer." He looked at his watch, "Break is over." With that said, both workers returned to their duties.
What am I doing here? Where am I? Genrou looked around the room. Someone likes round mirrors. Genrou thought, laughing softly. The room was very pink, it had bubbles floating around all over the place. Everywhere there were round, framed, mirrors. He stood up and found himself face-to-face with two people. Where did they come from? This room was totally empty jus' a coupl'la' seconds ago!
One of the people he faced was recognized instantly. It was Ri Houjun. How and why is he here? Houjun looked happy to see him, and captured him in a friendly embrace the moment he knew Genrou realized it was him.
The other person did not strike him as someone he knew. Unless he HAD in fact met an old woman floating on a cloud, and some part of Genrou's mind really doubted that. However, the woman did not pose a threat, and Genrou felt very open in her presence. Normally he felt nervous around new people, but she did not feel new. Even her voice, although a bit scratchy, sounded familiar.
"I see that you have successfully found each other. I didn't doubt that at all." The old woman smiled. "What's wrong Tasuki? Am I no longer worthy of the title 'Sunkakebaba,' oh, I forgot that you are here because you forgot." She huffed at her bad joke a bit. Knowing full-well that she would be called as such once she returned his memories.
Houjun spoke up. "Where are we exactly? And who are you? What is all this about memories?"
"Chichiri, Tasuki. Or as you call yourselves now, Genrou, Houjun. I am Taiitsukun, and I have brought you here to return your memories of your first lives as Suzaku Shichiseishi to you."
Genrou was totally confused. "You knew our names before we spoke. And now you are saying we have lived multiple lives!" He and Houjun were standing side-by-side in this dream world. Both seeing this place through their eyes, or eye.
"I don't have the time to tell you, wake up and understand yourselves. You know how to find me Chichiri, just in case. You know where I am."
Genrou woke in the chair he had been sitting in. He just remembered talking to Kaishin and then, well...blank. He did have a strange dream. So much for giving me my memories back, damn Sunkakebaba. I'm gonna have all a' Hotohori's troops go after that bitch. An' where is Tama' where ya' need 'im? I gotta take all a' my anger out on someone! Genrou sighed for a moment. Then he shot up in his seat. Bringing all of his feelings into two simple words.
"HOLY SHIT!"
"How...the hell?" Every time the ex-bandit spoke, he couldn't help but pause soon afterward. Every phrase ended and paused a few seconds for the next. "Where the hell?... Jesus!... How do I?... Where did I?..." He got out of his chair and paced, until he was about ready to flop on the bed did he stop and think. Bed was jus' made. Flop in the chair, baka, and slow down for a second.
"So that is what happened no da." Everything was so clear now. "Kouji. I remember that Kouji kept going on about remembering something." He sat for a second while recalling the event in his head.
"It's so clear now. Too bad I cant have the time to explain everything. I won't last much longer guys, when I leave, I have one request for you. Find the love that you have deep inside for each other. Stick together. I was a fool to think I could come between you. Once you remember, it will be clear."
"So he found out before he went no da. Interesting." Chichiri/Houjun, whichever he is to be referred to as, sat on the hospital room's couch as everything did in fact fall into place. So what Tasuki... er... Genrou... whoever, they are the same, ne? So what we did was not bad at all. Genrou was drunk enough to get some of his sanity from the first life, he was feeling real love for me? Houjun got up and looked in the mirror.
He saw the bandage over his eye and sighed. "What happened was destiny. If Tasuki and I were lovers in the first life, then I guess I have to get my scar too." He went over to the bed to rest. "I got my scar pretty much the same way too. In the first life it was just a triangle between another set of people. I still got hit with wood, or at least I think I did. It was me that was Kouran this time around, or maybe I am Hikou. Either way, I know what it is like on both ends now, and I have gotten scars both times around to prove it." He then decided to take a nap, his memories could be sorted through later.
Genrou was sitting in the chair when he heard a knock on the door. "Who is it?" Genrou was sounding scared, and not to mention really mad and confused. But now that he had company, he had a good reason to push deep thoughts behind him, not to mention acting a bit brighter.
"Kaishin. I am here with news." She poked her head in the room. "We are going to take a walk to see Houjun's doctor in a bit."
"We are?" Genrou was kind of worried, he had gotten all of his memories back, and that included his life with Chichiri. Would Houjun have his memories back as well? Would his past-lover cow in fear of him in the present because of his memories?
She replied with a smile. "Yes. But I hear he is resting now, and you might want to take a shower. If you don't mind, I will be watching TV until you are done."
"Not at all." He turned to head into the bathroom for a shower. "Be out in a bit."
"Kay." Kaishin switched on the TV and sat on the couch to watch.
Genrou came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel a bit later. You could see the healing cuts all over his back, chest, arms, and lower legs. "Are there any fresh clothes I c'n get inta'? These are kinda' nasty." He held up the old, sweat-damp clothes to show her his point.
Kaishin chuckled. "Of course. Here." She moved over to the dresser and pulled out a new set, still in plastic wrap.
Genrou took the clothes from her. He spoke once he had gotten fully dressed. "Thanks again. I don' know what I would do without ya'."
The nurse laughed, "For someone in a hospital after a huge accident, you sure don't sound like one."
A new voice was soon heard. "That's the amazing part about Tasuki, he never lets hope fail no da." Chichiri or Houjun, whichever you would like to call him, was standing on the doorway. "Kouji is looking down on you with pride. This is how he would want you to be after all. He wanted you to be all smiles even as he was passing na no da."
"CHICHIRI!" Tasuki ran over to hug his friend, past, and possibly future lover. "I missed you so much."
"Anou... Tasuki-kun no da." Houjun was flustered, and even more because Kaishin was present.
"Did you get permission to leave your room to come here Houjun?" Kaishin turned off the TV and sat up on the couch.
Houjun replied. "I told the doctor; he sounded glad with idea." He looked down at Genrou, smiling and nuzzling on his chest. The younger man was so content to just have Chichiri back in his arms that he was lost in his own world of happiness.
"I had no idea how close you guys were." Kaishin looked relived to see that her main patient was so content in this older mans arms. "Is he normally like this?"
"Well, not really." Houjun gazed at the flame-haired man in his arms. Genrou was actually falling asleep in his arms. "We should get him back to my room to rest. That way when he wakes up, I won't be gone. I can be right there with him."
Tasuki looked up at Chichiri. His eyes were hazed over with both love and tiredness. "Fine by me."
"Okay then." Kaishin gathered Genrou's things and headed out the door so she could have the room ready to accommodate two people.
Chichiri placed Tasuki in the chair and silently cast a spell to temporarily make himself stronger, and picked up the sleeping ex-bandit in his arms. He slowly made his way down the hall to his room.
ONE WEEK LATER
"I'm home 'Chiri!" Tasuki walked over to his lover and kissed him lightly on the cheek. He was holding a brown paper bag in one hand, and a plastic shopping bag in the other. "I bought you something from the outside world." Genrou smirked jokingly.
The arrangements had been made that past week. Since there was nowhere for Tasuki or Chichiri to go, and Chichiri had to remain in the hospital, the two men would live at the hospital until their house was rebuilt. Houjun had to stay in the hospital anyway so his eye-bandage could be professionally changed and cleaned every three to five hours. In another week, he could resume teaching with Tasuki. However, Tasuki would have to change the bandage for him at least every six hours.
"What did you bring me this time no da?" The ex-monk looked at the most important person in his life and smiled.
"The kiddies miss ya' 'Chiri." Tasuki frowned a puppy dog look at his lover and pulled out a card that the class that they co-teach had made and signed. In the same paper bag, there were many individual cards as well. "I was gonna teach them more history today, but they finally persuaded me ta do this instead."
"Wow. They thought of all this?" Chichiri looked amazed at the fact that his class cared about him so much.
Genrou smiled. "They care 'bout you so much that they demanded I use the money that they each brought from home ta buy ya something. They said that ya needed more than jus' a card. But they brought in money and catalogs and we picked on one thing that we all agreed was perfect."
"What did you all decide upon?" Chichiri was impatient and wanted to see what was in the other bag at this very moment.
"This." Genrou pulled out a stuffed cat. Attached to the tail was a note.
"A stuffed cat no da!" He looked utterly pleased with the plush kitten, even without reading the note. "That is adorable no da!" Houjun untied the note and unfolded it.
"For our best teacher.
Houjun Ri. We care about you so much. We want you to be happy for ever and ever. Here is a kitten to make your eye much better."
Stapled to the end of the note was an envelope. Inside was a total of 140 in cash and a business card for the local animal shelter.
"You mean no da?" Chichiri was shocked at the cash amount. Each of his students brought in at least ten dollars, and Tasuki must have pitched in ten of his own.
"Yup. Yer kids planned to buy ya a kitten. I had nuttin ta do with it till this mornin'."
"Hontou ni?" Houjun was so pleased with his gift. "When can I get him? Or her of course."
"Once we move in ta' our new home, the workers an' decorators estimate it ta' be 'bout a month before it is liveable." Tasuki's eyes went from love to lust as he moved closer to the older man in the bed.
Chichiri moved over on the twin bed to make room. The red-head cuddled next to his Houjun and kissed the top ridge of his ear. Tasuki made his way down and nibbled lightly in Chichiri's earlobe.
"No. Bad Tasuki-chan no da." Chichiri giggled. "Not until our new home no da."
"Fine." Tasuki decided that his ex-monk friend was right. "Can we still snuggle 'Chiri?"
That is one good thing about him. He can always be stopped. I love him so much no da. Houjun was proud of his lover. I cannot really call him my lover yet, can I? Best friend? Brother? But not lover yet. Not in this life yet. He responded to his brother's question. "Snugging is quite alright Gen-chan."
"Better be... 'cause I'm not movin'" Tasuki snuggled closer to emphasize the point. His head resting on the older man in the crook of his neck. Tasuki was also hugging his arms and draping his legs across Houjun. There is not much better than this. Genrou thought.
"There really wasn't much point in getting a second bed was there?" A feminine voice coming from the doorway made Houjun remove his gaze from the red-head snuggled tightly against him.
"I don't really know about that." The ex-monk replied to Kaishin softly. "Are you here to change my bandage no da?"
"I was. But if you two want some time, that's ok too." Kaishin had gotten used to her patients over the past week. She was really concerned that it might be a problem, her opinion changed as she soon realized that the men really only got as close as they were now.
Tasuki sighed, he wanted to stay in the resting position forever, but he knew that Chichiri needed to get better as fast as possible. "It's okay. I can wait until night. We need to grade papers anyways." He yawned, got off the bed and sat in a nearby chair.
"Thank you Genrou." Kaishin said as she started to undress the wound on Houjun's face.
Tasuki watched as carefully as he could. He was always worried that she would do something that would cause Chichiri pain. As always, Chichiri remained silent. Once she was done with his face, she motioned for both men to take their shirts off.
Kaishin broke the silence. "When will the house be ready?"
"About a month, I don't know what will happen after that though." Houjun stated sadly. He had fully removed his shirt and the nurse was inspecting the wounds.
"What do ya mean 'Chiri?" Tasuki never really thought about the new home. He was too caught up in the past and present to worry about the future.
"It's nothing." Chichiri replied. "If you really want to know, I will tell you later."
Kaishin got a clean shirt from the dresser and handed it to Houjun to put on. She was now moving over to inspect Genrou's back. "Well. You both look like your healing nicely." She cut in with a smile. "If you don't mind, I was called to check on a boy that was giving us a bit of a problem."
"Well... he is an orphan." Kaishin frowned as she continued. "We are currently looking for a home for him. Since he is older, no one will take him in. We need somebody that works well with kids, he has lost a lot."
"Mind if we see 'em?" Genrou had a look in his eyes filled with love and concern.
"Genrou..." Houjun gave Tasuki a glare. Oh great. That look. I guess it really wouldn't hurt though. Genrou really loves kids. Chichiri thought to himself.
Kaishin soon remembered that the two men are teachers. "I guess that would be ok." She managed a small smile full of hope.