When the two reached the dining hall, they saw that the men wasted no time and were already eating and drinking. Loud, hoarse laughter, singing, and talking were heard. Kouji went up to them and handed each of them a cup.
"Oi, where were you guys?" Makin' out?" Tasuki sweatdropped. And Ruri turned red. "Anyway, you're behind. It's gonna take ya a while to catch up." Kouji smirked and ran his hands through his wild, blue hair.
"Che," Tasuki downed his cup and ran his hand through his hair. Ruri and Kouji sweatdropped.
Men. Ruri rolled her eyes.
Tasuki reached for the nearest sake bottle, "When I'm done, you'll be tryin' to catch up to me!"
"Bullshit," Kouji said, laughing. "We'll see who drinks the most."
Tasuki gave a fanged grin and pointed at Kouji, "Yer on!" Ruri laughed and downed her cup, not even trying to keep up with the guys. However, she was drinking her share.
The whole night was festive and filled with fun. Jokes, drinking games, reminiscing and play brawling went on through the night. Also, some men went down to the local town to have some adult fun.
Dawn was approaching and several men were still drinking. But the majority was either sleeping right where they were or somehow made it to their room and crashed. Kouji and Tasuki were among the ones still enjoying themselves, still trying to out drink each other.
Ruri was sitting against the wall next to Takeshi and talking with him. For several hours they were talking about several things. At the moment, Takeshi was talking about the battle and how it affected him while Ruri tried her best to stay awake.
"I never knew that I would feel so different when I was fighting those other bandits. I mean, I've been in fights before, why was this one so different?" Takeshi said, taking another sip of sake.
"Well," Ruri said slowly. "It's probably 'cause it's two different incidents. I mean a battle's more serious than a raid or brawl, ne? People's lives are actually at stake." She yawned.
Takeshi sighed. "Ya may be right. The boss said something similar earlier." He turned to Ruri and saw that she fell asleep. He wasn't sure if he should go tell the boss or just take her to her room.
Takeshi didn't have to wonder anymore. Tasuki saw that Ruri fell asleep and figured that he should retire to bed too. Downing one more drink, he smirked at Kouji and was about to announce that he won, but sweatdropped instead. The blue haired bandit was passed out on the floor snoring away. Tasuki turned back to Takeshi. "I got it, Takeshi, thanks."
Takeshi looked at his boss warily. "Are you sure Boss? You're pretty drunk."
"No problem," Tasuki grunted as picked Ruri as gently as he could. "You're probably as drunk as I am anyway. Go rest."
Takeshi sweatdropped, "I don't think anyone's as drunk as you, Boss."
Tasuki flashed a smirk. Ruri opened her eyes and looked to see Tasuki and realized that he was carrying her. "Tasuki! Are you sure you can carry me all the way to the room? I can get down and walk."
Tasuki shook his head. "Yer tired so I'm carryin' you to the room."
"Demo… Gen-chan…" Ruri started.
"Daijoubu," Tasuki mumbled, then took the liberty to stumble over a crack in the floor and started falling. Ruri gave a little shriek as she went down with him.
Ruri got up slowly. "Ita-ta-ta. Tasuki no baka!" She touched her shoulder and winced. Goody. A bruise.
Tasuki got up and glared behind him. "Oi! Who the fuck put that trip wire there! The morons." He stumbled up.
Ruri got up and went to help Tasuki find his balance. "C'mon, Tasuki. Let's get you to bed."
"Don't worry Ruri. We're almost there. The damn trip wire won't stop us from getting to our room."
Ruri sweatdropped. "Hai, hai."
They eventually made it to their room and Ruri helped the drunken bandit into bed. She then proceeded to take off his boots, jewelry, tessen and shirt. Exhausted, Ruri kicked off her shoes and crawled into bed. In a second she was asleep.
Several hours later, Tasuki awoke and felt the coming of a huge hangover. He winced and wondered why he even bothered to drink that much. His half bleary amber eyes glance next to him and saw Ruri sleeping, her cheeks still slightly red from the alcohol. Granted she didn't drink as much has he did, but he knew that she drank enough where she would feel it when she woke up. He leaned over and kidded her forehead. Ruri sighed and snuggled closer to him.
Tasuki gave a soft smile and whispered, "Zutto… ai shiteru." Then he fell back asleep.
The sun was shining brightly, the wind was blowing softly across the fields and through the forest, and the birds were chirping cheerfully at how wonderful the day was. However, everyone in the stronghold was sleeping. In a room, a pair of brown eyes glared open and she stumbled to the window. She shut it and drew a curtain in front of it. She then plodded back to bed and started to get herself comfortable.
Tasuki grunted and opened one eye half way. "Oi, yer gettin' up already?" He mumbled.
"Are you kidding?" Ruri mumbled. "I have a killer hangover. I'm not gettin' up 'til it's gone." She quickly fell back asleep.
"Good idea." Tasuki fell back asleep.
Later, late afternoon, they both started to wake up. Most of the men were already up by then and complaining about their hangovers.
Ruri lazily turned to Tasuki and gave him a lazy hug. "Sleep well?"
He nodded, running a hand through his hair. "Aa. But I thought I would feel worse. I usually do."
Ruri smiled, "That's because you slept it off. Remember, the best way to get rid of a hangover is to sleep."
"Then you miss most of the day," Tasuki argued.
"Which would you prefer? Sleeping most of the day and wake up with no hangover or wake up early and go through most of the day miserable?"
Tasuki smiled, "Right."
"Of course," Ruri said, laughing. "I'm always right. Why? Because women are always right."
Tasuki shook his head and then nuzzled the nape of her neck turning Ruri to Jello. "You're perfect because I love you."
Ruri blushed. She never thought Tasuki would say something like that but didn't have more time to dwell on it because Tasuki proceeded to take off her shirt. When he slid across her shoulders, Ruri flinched in pain and Tasuki looked at her.
"Oi, what's wrong?" He asked.
Ruri shook her head, "Nothing, just a bruise."
Tasuki lifted his hand from her left shoulder to see a lovely black, blue and purple bruise. "When'd you get this?"
Ruri rolled eyes. "When you were trying to carry me to bed. Remember? You fell and I went down, too."
Tasuki thought a moment and sweatdropped. "Suman."
Ruri smiled, "Daijoubu, it's only a bruise."
"Demo…"
"It's just a bruise Gen-chan," Ruri winked. "Just be gentle, ne?"
Tasuki smirked and pulled towards him for a kiss. At the same time he started where he left off with the shirt.
Kouji glared at the water in his cup. If only the stupid thing would stop moving, he could drink it.
"Damn hangover," he muttered. He looked around but couldn't see Genrou or Ruri anywhere. Are they still sleepin'? He thought. Then he saw Takeshi enter the dining hall. "Oi! Takeshi!"
The young bandit looked around and saw Kouji calling him over. "Hai, Kouji." He said when he walked over to the blue haired bandit.
"Have you seen Genrou or Ruri-chan?"
Takeshi shook his head, "Nope, sorry. I think they're still in the room."
"Do you think they're still sleepin'?
"Um… Takeshi stuttered. "I don't think they're sleeping anymore. I stopped by Boss' room because I had a question but…" His words trailed off.
"I think we should put a 'Do Not Disturb' sign for those two. That's one great idea, Kouji. I know, I know. C'mon." Kouji and Takeshi left eh dining hall and did just that.
The next couple days, everyone enjoyed themselves and had fun. Some went on small raids and friendly competition games went on. Each night was a party whether it was drinking or going out to the village.
During these days, Ruri and Tasuki spent a lot of time together. There's nothing like spending time with the one you love and all you want to do is get to know that person even more. Or sometimes, Kouji and Takeshi were with them and they would either go to the village and shop or just hang around.
One beautiful day, Tasuki and Ruri were lying next to each other on a grassy slope with their fingers entwined, talking. They didn't notice a figure walking towards them until Tasuki noticed a shadow on them and he looked up. Ruri saw him look and looked up as well wondering what he was staring at. They both came face to face with a smiling monk.
"Chichiri!" They both exclaimed.
"Da! It seems that I've interrupted something, no da."
Ruri sat up and patted the ground next to her. "You haven't interrupted anything. What's new?"
Chichiri sat down while Tasuki sat up, "Well, Her Majesty is grateful that everything went well and she's happy that the threat is gone, no da."
"It really wasn't a threat though," Tasuki said, rolling his eyes.
"True, but since these are wary times, Her Majesty was relieved, no da."
Tasuki nodded, "True. How's Boushin doin'?"
"He's doing fine, no da." Chichiri said. "He's been asking for you, no da."
"How old is Boushin?" Ruri asked.
"He's four, no da."
Ruri's eyes started sparkling, "Oh. He must be so adorable! He's always so cute in the pictures! Wish I could see him."
"You might be able to, no da."
Ruri's eyes widened, "Honto?"
Chichiri nodded, "Her Majesty invites us for a time of celebration, no da."
"What for?" Tasuki said.
"Honto? When?" Ruri asked at the same time.
"For our country being safe once again, no da. It'll be in a week, no da." The monk answered both questions.
Ruri turned to Tasuki, "Let's go right away Tasuki, ne? I've never been to a party with royalty."
Tasuki scratched the back of his head. "It's nothing different."
"Please, Gen-chan?" Ruri begged. And for greater measure she added sad, puppy eyes.
Tasuki sighed and gave in. "We'll leave tomorrow." She's got me wrapped around her little finger, he thought.
"Wai!" Ruri cheered and gave Tasuki a hug. I've got him wrapped around my finger.
Chichiri smiled and one could tell that he was thinking the same thing.
The next morning, Tasuki, Ruri, Kouji and Chichiri were on the road to Eiyo. Ruri was riding with Tasuki in the front, Kouji and Chichiri were riding behind Tasuki and Kouji was leading a fourth packhorse.
Sitting in front of Tasuki, a very tired Ruri tried to keep awake. She gave a jaw-breaking yawn and shook her head.
"Oi, why dontcha sleep some more?" Tasuki suggested.
"Don't want to and can't."
Tasuki had a confused look on his face, "What?"
"I can't really take naps."
Tasuki rolled his eyes, "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of! If you're tired then just sleep."
"I know, but for some reason I can't take naps. Unless… unless I'm… really… really tired…" she leaned against Tasuki and feel asleep.
Tasuki gave an "oi" look and Kouji laughed outright. Chichiri gave a sympathetic smile as Tasuki shifted Ruri's position to make her more comfortable.
The small traveling party arrived at Eiyo safely and uneventfully. When they entered the gates of the city, the three men just looked ahead. However, Ruri never saw anything like it and she was drinking in the sights. The minute they passed the gates, Ruri moved head this way and that in order for her already wide-open eyes to catch everything.
The streets were busy and bustling with merchants and buyers. Women and servants buying groceries, children laughing and playing, smiths hard at their work, restaurants were giving off a delicious smell, everyone talking a gossiping and once in a while a noble or two were seen.
Tasuki wouldn't have minded so much if only Ruri's hair wasn't so damn long. Whenever she turned her head to see something, her hair would whip his face. Tasuki just have an inward sigh, rolled his eyes and tolerated the pain. Kouji and Chichiri saw him and Kouji snickered while Chichiri tried his best not to laugh.
Ruri looked at the two curiously, "What's so funny?"
They shook their heads, "Nothing."
Ruri gave them a look but didn't inquire any further.
Soon, they reached the palace and the guards opened the gates, bowing to them as they entered. Ruri stared even more as Tasuki helped her down the horse and headed towards the throne room. Watching it on TV and seeing it in pictures do not do it justice. It's so beautiful.
The empress saw the group enter the throne room and stood to greet them. Everyone in the room did the same. "Welcome Suzaku Seishi and guests." With a hand gesture, everyone in the room left, leaving the group alone.
Houki smiled and walked towards the four, "I'm glad you decided to come." She said to them.
"We couldn't pass up the offer," Tasuki said. "And besides, Ruri wanted to come, too. She wouldn't have stopped badgering me 'til I said 'yes'."
Houki laughed and then turned to Ruri, "And you are Ruri?"
Ruri nodded and curtsied, "Hai."
"It is nice to meet you, Ruri-san."
Ruri smiled, "It is nice to meet you, too, Houki-sama."
Houki then turned to Kouji. "My best friend, Kouji," Tasuki said. Houki nodded and Kouji bowed.
"You all must be a bit tired from your journey. I shall get some servants to escort you to your rooms. Tasuki-san and Chichiri-san, you will have your regular rooms. My servants will prepare a room for you, Kouji-san and Ruri-san." Houki turned to leave, "I must see to Boushin."
"Arigato," the group said as she left.