Author's Notes: I'm so sorry about the delay in getting out a chapter. I just had a mind blank, and wasn't able to write for these characters. But, once I got back into the groove, I couldn't stop. So, therefore this chapter is quite long. Also, I have quite a bit that I want to say, but I'll leave that to the end so I don't disrupt too much of your time. Wow...I do want to address some things though here. And that's mostly for the reviewers...thank you so much! I can't address you all, though I wish I could, but I will say things to a few people. Arcanine, your akugi was hilarious! I loved it! And Ai-chan, sankyuu for reviewing! Hehe, you're welcome to pull the chapters at any point in time, I just plain forget to E-mail you to tell you they're up. Sorry! Hehe, Otaku...I hope this chapter is worth your squealing. ^_~ And just on the whole, a big round of thanks to everyone else who reviewed. I can't express that enough. Hm...I'm thinking I should dedicate a chapter to the person who gives me my 100th review (oh my, I can't believe I'm saying that...but we're getting up there in the numbers...yay, yay!) Hehe, I luff you all! And as always...enjoy! (So much for not disrupting the flow, Krissy-chan. e_e)
Yui stepped into the kitchen, spotting Xi Fang as she swiftly added the milk to the awaiting recipe she was making. A smile creased her lips and she smoothly moved forward to the other's side, "So, how'd it go?"
Xi Fang glanced up amidst her stirring, but lowered her gaze, "Not so well..."
Well, that was certainly something the miko wasn't expecting, "Doushite...? What happened?"
"I don't know! Things were going so well and at some point, I even thought he wanted to kiss me. But then, he got all distant, saying how his otouto was in pain and we had to hurry back..."
"Xi Fang, I'm sure it was nothing serious, and he probably didn't know you'd be upset. I'm not sure what happened with Suboshi, demo it probably wasn't a wise idea to leave him alone with Tasuki..." The blond took some of the milk, slowly adding it to her pancake batter.
"I suppose. It just would have been really nice if he had kissed me. People were already looking at us like we were a couple."
"Give it time. Love takes time to develop and grow," Yui smiled, spritzing some leftover flour in her direction.
She blinked, sweeping the powder away from her bare arm with a rather sly expression, "You better watch it, Yui-chan, or I'll sabotage your meal."
Yui laughed, continuing to mix her ingredients together until they were consistently blended. Her smile vanished slowly as she began to wonder what could have happened to Suboshi. He couldn't have been in any physical sort of pain, because she would have known. Chichiri would have told her. So, what happened between Tasuki and him? An argument? More than likely, but since when was Suboshi one to get upset from something like that? She wanted to just go see him right then to find out. But, breakfast had waited long enough, and Amiboshi was more than likely with him at the moment.
She heaved a sigh, dishing out some of her batter into a pan and then placing it on the top burner of the wooden stove. She watched some of the mixture bubble from the heat and then her gaze drifted toward Xi Fang, who was rolling up pastries of sorts. The other stacked her meal neatly on a tin and then ushered Yui out of the way with a smile, sticking them in the oven itself. Yui couldn't help but muse over how well of a cook the girl was. Though, anyone probably would have been if they were forced to do it as much as Xi Fang was.
"So...what's that thing you're making?" Xi Fang peered over her shoulder in time to see it flipped onto the opposite side.
"It's called a pancake. A popular breakfast in my world."
"Is that so? Is it going to be even more 'popular' than mine here?" There was a hint of jealousy in her tone, after all, she didn't want Amiboshi to be too impressed with someone else's food.
"Ah, who knows," She smiled playfully. "But, I'll guard them with my life to make sure you don't do anything to them!"
The raven-haired girl gasped with mock indignation, "Yui-chan, how dare you think I would do such a thing! I'm nothing but sweet, kind, and good." She batted her eyes to emphasize her point.
Yui swiped a finger along the edge of the porcelain bowl, collecting some excess pancake batter and swiftly smearing it across the other's cheek, "And now you're a mess. You better clean up!"
"Eck! You better not do anything to my breakfast!"
"Why would I...? I'm only sweet, kind, and good...just like you."
Xi Fang furrowed her brows suspiciously, before she perked up with a smile and headed to the back to collect some excess water. Yui looked after her with a small smile, but then settled into thought once more. Whatever was 'wrong' with Suboshi had been weighing on her heavily. She just hoped it was something that could be remedied easily by either Amiboshi or herself. It really did hurt her to know that the one seishi who stood by her the most was now suffering over something...something that had been so powerful that his twin could even feel it.
***
Suboshi sat quietly on the bed in 'Kai-Ka's' room, keeping his gaze on the floor. It was basically immaculate, he had noticed. Everything was so clean that it raked him with guilt to be there. He felt so dirty...and that his dirtiness was blemishing all things surrounding him. He was never really confronted by so many conflicting emotions; his heart never felt so heavy. Crystalline topaz oculars drooped to his feet silently. Yui...what was she thinking of him now?
The younger twin flopped back on the mattress, raising his eyes toward the ceiling. His miko was the object of his deepest affections. He loved her for so long, and yet, now there was this shadow looming over them ever being together. The insidious shadow of his past and then...Kouji's interference. It was no surprise that Yui would gain other men's affection since she was the single most beautiful thing in the world. His one shining star light that extended through his darkness. The one thing he did not want to share with anyone.
"Yui-sama..." Suboshi closed his eyes, fighting back the warm tears that were threatening to spill. Damn Tasuki for making him feel this way!
There was the creek of the opening door, and Shunkaku didn't bother to take a glimpse of who it was. Mostly because he knew it could be no one else but his brother. The exit sealed with an audible click and there were footsteps, followed up by the weight of another on the bed, forcing it to dip a bit, and Suboshi's form to shift. His lids lifted, and he stared at the headboard, letting his eyes roam over the intricate carves in wood. He successfully pushed back the lump in his throat from suppressed crying and refused to say anything, just giving off that silent feeling of despair to his twin.
Amiboshi sighed, concern sweeping his face, and he lowered his eyes toward the emotionally wounded second half. That was Suboshi's only problem really, his vulnerability and deep emotional attachment to others. The world turned it's back on him so long ago that Suboshi had to hide behind a heartless exterior. Why would he have any regard for the lives of others when his own life just kept dealing out bad luck and misfortune? Shunkaku was good on the inside. Koutoku just wished others would see it that way.
"Otouto..." Amiboshi finally broke the silence.
"Aniki, please..." He didn't turn, just remained still. "I know what you're going to ask, and I don't want to talk about it."
"It would probably help to tell me, Shun. But, if you don't want to, that's fine..."
"I'm not a kid anymore, you know! You can't just wipe away my problems anymore like you used to!" Suboshi snapped, though bit his tongue, immediately regretting having done so.
"I'm not trying to. Demo, if you don't talk to me, who are you going to talk to? You don't exactly have a knack for making friends with the Suzakuu no seishi," If Shunkaku was going to be cross, then so would he.
After a bubble of silence, Suboshi popped it, "...Gomen."
"Ie. It's fine. I understand that you're a bit tense. I felt the pain you felt earlier. Whatever it was, it was strong. Though, even if you think taking it out on me would help you cope better, I have to say that it's not a good idea to push away the one person you can talk freely to."
The younger brother sighed. His twin was right. He always was. That was something that annoyed him, or perhaps he was just envious of it. Suboshi buried his face in his hands for a moment, pushing back those light brown locks. Slowly sitting upright, he finally glanced toward the identical face of the other. Amiboshi offered him a smile of urgence that forced him to lower his gaze and shake his head.
"It's just Tasuki...he got to me. It's no big deal. If I actually could use my Ryuuseisui, then he wouldn't be so damn confident..." Suboshi lifted one of the metallic spindles from his side, eyeing it fondly.
"You don't mean that..."
"Like hell I don't! I hate him! And his stupid friend Kouji!"
Koutoku rolled his eyes, "You're just venting violently."
"Well, so what?! I like violent venting! It's what I do best, ne? After all, I'm just such a heartless bastard, only a murderer. I'm shit compared to my perfect older brother!" Suboshi snapped quickly, his tone drenched with sarcasm.
Amiboshi's eyebrows sank a bit and the corners of his lips slowly slipped downward, conveying a rather hurtful expression. Seeing this, Shunkaku glanced aside. Great. He managed to screw something else up. His mouth worked inward as his teeth sank into it from the interior. Silence stretched out heavily, prolonging itself for minutes before Suboshi finally tried to push aside his pride and anger.
"Gomen ne, aniki...like you said, I'm just trying to take out my anger on someone. Demo, I shouldn't take it out on you especially. Gomen ne..."
"Iya, Shun. It's all right..." Amiboshi shook his head. "I'm not perfect, you know. Far from it."
"Compared to me, you're like a saint," The fifteen year old fell back against the bed with his arms behind his head for support. "But, if you're not perfect, what would you say you are?"
"Demented...screwed up. Every bit as much as you are and then some..." A wan smile scarcely shown itself before disappearing. "At least, everything you've done...you thought was the right thing. Everything I've done was for an ideal future that could never be...I knew all along it was wrong to attack the Suzakuu no seishi, demo I still did it for you and Kutou. Then, I knew it was wrong to stay in this little delusional, perfect world without returning to the war after my 'parents' found me. To abandon you and everyone so Seiryuu couldn't be summoned. Che, I thought it was the noble thing to do..."
"But, it was--"
"Ie, otouto. It was cowardly. I really thought we could be happy here...it would have saved you from dying, ne? But, the truth is...I should have been by your side. To help things along and stop the senseless fighting between Miaka-san and Yui-san. So, regardless of what the others may think, that's the truth..."
"Aniki..." Suboshi's gaze softened. "I don't blame you for wanting a peaceful life. You're good and fighting doesn't mix well with a gentle person like you. To have a real family again and to not be tied to me any longer...I wanted to give you your ideal life."
"Shunkaku, don't you understand that you're the only one I want to be 'tied' to? You're my only real family. No matter what, that day...we shouldn't have been separated. We'll never be again!" Amiboshi glanced toward him, offering a smile. "I'll make up for everything to you this time around."
A slow grin mirrored the other's, "And I'll try to not get into so much trouble with the Suzakuu seishi. Try. I can't make any promises that I'll be successful."
Laughing lightly, the older nodded, "Hai! Hai! So long as you try..."
"Nee, no matter what I do...I don't think I could push the bitterness aside for Kouji."
"Doushite...?"
"He's got feelings for Yui-sama too."
"Hn, is that so? Do you know for a fact? Or are you just assuming?"
"I know it's true. Tasuki admitted it."
"Is that why you were so mad earlier?"
"Part of the reason..."
"What's the other?"
Suboshi just sighed, "Tasuki was getting on my case about killing Tamahome's family."
Amiboshi offered a look of sympathy, before he lay back beside him, mimicking his second half's position, "Tasuki-san can be a baka. Hotheaded and irrational, sort of reminds me of someone..." He smirked playfully.
"Compare me to him again and you've just as good as sentenced yourself to being shoved on the floor."
"Ha! My room, so you can't do a thing to me, otouto!"
The twins broke into hearty laughs which just tapered off into dying chuckles. It felt so good to laugh with him and have him there again. Suboshi smiled somewhat to himself at the thought. His aniki was one of the most important things to him, playing a very close, almost evenly matched, second to Yui. If his life could be blessed with the both of them in it, then there would have been no one in the world that was more lucky than him. He just inched closer to his brother, resting his head against his arm.
"Aniki?"
"Hm?"
"Why don't we go out later? Just you and me. We could talk about everything that's been going on lately..."
"Well, it would have to be later tonight since I promised Xi Fang I'd show her around town after we eat breakfast..."
"Ah...Xi Fang, ne?" Suboshi gave him a teasing shoulder nudge. "We'll have to start with that topic."
"It's not really a topic."
"So you say! I'm interested in everything that has to do with my aniki's life."
"Then be prepared to be bored..."
"Ie, I'm sure I won't be," Suboshi smirked. "Besides, you've already heard so much about Yui-sama and me."
"Demo, I don't--"
A call rose up from the direction of the kitchen, beckoning the twins to breakfast. They blinked, exchanging glances, before pushing up to their feet. Suboshi grinned, giving his brother a playful shove toward the door. Amiboshi chuckled, walking out into the hall. At least his brother was feeling a bit better now, and that was what he had strived to achieve.
***
"Nothing but rain and gloom," Touka sighed heavily, peering out the semi-cracked window of the little 'hut home.' Her chin drooped against the sill and she watched the precipitation fall from the sky. "I wonder if it'll ever stop."
The only other sound beside the pitter patter of droplets was the scrawling of writing on a scroll. Chama Lee was at it again, doing what he did best, and that was plotting. The girl simply looked out at the misty landscape, reminding herself why the other wanted peace so badly just by the sight. Kutou was in horrible condition. It wasn't just all about the neglected towns or piled up rubble, it was about the people as well. So many lived in fear of their lives since many thieves and scoundrels were constantly taking advantage of the poor management of the country. Nakago didn't give a damn. That much was clear. Such a man didn't deserve to be the leader of a nation.
Touka slowly turned away from the window, moving over to her belongings, which were really very few. Amidst the couple of tattered dresses, she found two ribbons. One side of her hair was collected in a ponytail and then looped up, being tied where the end met beginning. She did this with the other side, composing twin ringlets that dangled about to the start of her shoulders. Her eyes raised slowly to the reflective, half-broken glass, making sure both were even. When she was satisfied, she headed over toward Chama Lee, sinking beside the older boy. He met her gaze and they shared a smile, before he just went back to what he was doing.
"The plans you're making must be pretty important, ne? I've never seen you work so hard to perfect just one..." She nodded, eyeing the papers curiously.
"How do you know, Touka? You ever stay in one place long enough to see me do work?" He laughed a tiny bit.
Touka couldn't help but smile some at the laugh. At least it meant that he wasn't angry with her for earlier, "Well no, demo it seems like you've been working on this one for a long time. Are you even anywhere close to being done?"
"Hai, I think so. If I can do one final sweep of outside of palace."
"Hrm...a sweep, huh? Requiring lots of stealth...more than one person, maybe...?" Touka's tone ended on a hopeful octave.
Chama Lee released an audible exhale, possessing a stern look behind slightly slanted eyes, "Touka..."
"Nani! I don't think the idea's so farfetched. I mean, I can be stealthy! You know! You saw!"
"Demo, there is many trouble..."
"Hmph! You act like I can't take care of myself. I'm a grown girl, you know!"
"You are only a child at heart in body of woman. Touka, you are young yet. I want..." Chama Lee's features softened slowly and one hand surrounded hers for a meaningful gesture. "I want to be one to protect you. I want you to stay young as long as you can. And I want to be that one to look out for you...like a--"
"Like a 'niichan. I know...you want to take Tessou's place and protect me," Her expression, on the other hand, hardened bitterly.
He blinked, lowering his gaze, "That's not what I--" His voice caught in his throat and died there. The next statement was simply a change of topic. "My plans should remain so. I do not want you to get involved."
"So, who's going to protect me while you're gone, hm?" That mischievous light once again sparked within her mahogany eyes.
"I..." A brow furrowed and he sighed, snapping his head away.
"Ha! I knew it! You gotta take me along because you can't trust me by myself, now can you, hm?"
Chama Lee frowned deeply, "Fine."
"Un! All right! I'm in!" Touka beamed, clapping her hands happily. "So, what is the plan?"
"We'll start by sneaking around castle. Find out what defenses they have up where and how to use them to our advantage," He reached at his side, withdrawing a few cloaks of a deep brown. "We stick to shadows and trees. No where that we can get caught."
She snatched up one of the few, inspecting the fabric, "So, when do we go?"
"As soon as I finish writing this up and planning our route."
"All right! Don't you worry about a thing, Chama...!" Touka wrapped her arms around him, only meaning this to be a friendly display of affection. "I promise you. I'll be safe!"
She whisked the cloth away, twirling off to the center of the room. Chama Lee looked after her for a moment, before he shook his head, I certainly hope so, Touka. I want nothing bad to happen to you...what kind of protector would I be if you were not safe. What...kind of man...would I be if you were hurt?
His expression saddened as he watched the girl toss on the concealing garment, but he returned to his papers. It was awful how sometimes even the best of plans could be weighted down by something unforeseen.
***
"Why the hell are you glaring at me?! Trust me, I'm not any happier about having to work with you!" Soi scowled at Tomo, moving at a brisk pace through the hallway.
The actor finally snapped his angered gaze away from her, pinching the bridge of his noise. Frayed threads from that costume dangled from the torn sleeve and his eyes closed in annoyance, "This is all your fault!"
"My fault? How can you even pin any of the blame on me?"
"Because it's always your fault! Everything! You're a waste of a seishi! Girls shouldn't be allowed to be seishi," Tomo shook his head, bringing his hand away only to glare at her again.
"Neither should gay boys, but oh...there were two of them, ne?" The woman retorted quickly.
"Well, when someone's half as feminine as that Nuriko, you can't help but be a bit gender confused. Besides, I'm much more classy than him! And there should be more seishi like me..." He paused, and then sighed a bit forlornly. "But, I guess not everyone can be so lucky."
"Oh please. We were lucky when Suboshi killed you. Maybe he could do it again this time around."
"And maybe Tasuki will throw another sword that you can get in the way of," Well, Tomo had heard of how she died through the others in the castle.
Soi furrowed her brows, "Watch it, otherwise I'll rip those stupid feathers from your crown."
"My feathers are not stupid! Baka brothel girls naturally couldn't understand."
For a moment, they looked about ready to kill each other; a flame of hatred ignited in both. But, the female broke the tension by looking away. She honestly didn't know what Nakago was thinking in sending them out together. They worked with each other once before, true, but that wasn't exactly enjoyable. She went along with it for the sake of the shogun alone. Even though, naturally, it didn't work. And now, she had absolutely no idea what this mission entailed. Just for the both of them to complete it. And already, that was not off to a good start.
Tomo halted, looking in the direction of the rehearsal room, "I should probably inform them I will be on leave, and the performance will be delayed. I was so looking forward to showing off this one to Nakago..." He clutched his chest wistfully. "It featured me predominantly, after all."
"Hoh? Then it must have been awful," She stated with malicious glee. "That's probably why Nakago's sending you out. Just so that he doesn't have to sit through it!"
"That's not true and you know it!"
"Hai...that's right, Tomo..." Another voice entered their conversation.
Both Soi and Tomo looked away from their dispute, blinking in surprise. Though, it was Miboshi who hovered there in the stolen body. It took a few moments for the illusionist to register what he had said, but once it did, a triumphant grin crossed painted lips, and he spared a smug expression to the woman.
"See! Even Miboshi agreed with me!"
"Ie," Miboshi shook his head, motioning his prayer wheel between the both of them. "I think Nakago's sending you away to avoid hearing your annoying fights all the time."
Ashitare slowly joined the seishi group in the hall, his tail wagging a bit instinctively at the sight of Soi, but he stopped it after a moment's thought. The wolf sank down beside Miboshi, sending a glance his way and then toward the rest of them with mild interest. It was hard not to be curious when the majority of the Seiryuu shichiseishi were gathered around each other.
Tomo sneered in response to the other's words, "Well, it's always Soi who starts it!"
"I do not! You're the one who starts everything! You've always got to be melodramatic!"
"There's nothing wrong with melodrama!"
"Oh, there you go again..."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Miboshi raised his brows as the insults were spat back and forth so easily. His gaze shifted toward the animal at his side, and Ashitare returned the look as if to mentally say he didn't know what was wrong with them either. The elder rolled his eyes, returning his attention toward the two.
"Are you done yet? I don't have time to waste listening to your baka arguments..."
The rivals 'hmphed,' turning their backs on one another which Miboshi took as a 'yes' and therefore spoke again.
"Once again it seems as though Nakago chose a failing mission. It's doomed from the very start if you can't cooperate. Neither of your loves will reach him. Demo, that is not a thing I wish to talk about with either of you. What is the plan? I'll have to come up with a back up, naturally, for when it fails."
"I'm not going to fail Nakago! Though, Soi might..."
She sneered, but shook her head to the floating seishi, "We don't know the plan. It was written out on a scroll that we didn't look at..." She withdrew the parchment from her belt, handing it off in Miboshi's direction.
But, before he got a chance to take it, Tomo snatched it away, sidestepping them all. The others looked after him, Soi and Miboshi wearing displeased expression whereas Ashitare simply watched. The disheveled actor skimmed over the characters, reading over the plan until a cackle emitted from his throat. Soi narrowed her eyes. His laughing could never be a good sign.
"Nani?" The nineteen year old demanded.
"Well..." Tomo bit back his chortles. "It says that I am to go along and find out what I can about the group from outside observation...demo...you..." He couldn't help it. He branched off into a cackle fit once more.
Soi grit her teeth, swiping the paper away from him so she could read it for herself, " 'Tomo is to...' blah, blah, blah. 'And Soi, you're mission is to...' " She stopped and then pursed her lips.
"What?" Miboshi was getting pretty fed up with all the pauses.
Ashitare cocked his head aside quietly.
She glanced between them both, but then rolled up the scroll, "I'm to try and seduce some information out of their supposed group leader...Suzakuu no seishi...Chichiri."
"Chichiri, ne?" Miboshi tilted his head. A good plan in theory, I suppose. Demo, Nakago overlooked the simple fact that Chichiri is resistant to quite a bit of magic's. Definitely one of the strongest Suzakuu shichiseishi. Nothing compared to me, but still...hm... "Very well then. I'll leave you both to pack up. Ashitare..."
The wolf craned his head upward.
"Meet up with me in my chamber when this is all through..." With that, the 'child' disappeared from view.
At the same time, Tomo started down the hall, calling back toward Soi, "Seducing the information out of Chichiri, heh! Nakago knows all you're good for is your Bou Chuu Jutsu. He obviously doesn't care about you, if he's so willing to have you share your body with someone else. That just leaves him open for me. See you in a little bit...Soi."
She furrowed her brows, clenching a fist at her side. Her lips parted as though to shout something out after him, but that thought faded and her features saddened somewhat. Soi had to face reality, Nakago didn't love her. He never had, and probably never would show love toward her. There had to be something that she came back for, though. Something to look forward to in this life. At the moment, things seemed so grim. Dead, more like it. It was as though life itself lost it's meaning now that she was back...becoming so much harder to bear than it was before she left it. But, there had to be something...some little thing to look forward to, right...?
Her lips pinched downward, and she began to move off toward her room when she felt her hand nuzzled upward. With a startled blink, crystalline eyes traveled back toward Ashitare, who did his best to offer a consolatory expression. His canine features didn't do it much justice, but it was his eyes that conveyed the emotion. Soi smiled somewhat, giving him a light pat to the top of his head.
"Arigatou, Ashitare..." With that, she went toward her chamber to begin gathering essential items.
***
Tasuki remained seated at the kitchen table alone, stirring over a few thoughts as his gaze settled on his empty juice cup. In his mind, he tried to make sense out of what happened, knowing damn well that he should have been hating Suboshi still, but completely unable to find the intense feelings to do so. No, he'd never forget what the opposing seishi did, but was it possible that he wasn't completely evil; that there was a chance for redemption yet? Genrou shook his head, slipping a hand into the fiery locks. It didn't make sense for him to be thinking like this. But, he couldn't just deny Suboshi's obvious guilt. He couldn't seem to shake the events from earlier away no matter how hard he tried.
"You certainly look lost in your own head, Tasuki-kun. One might think you're actually using it, no da," Chichiri stood before him, smiling as always.
The bandit leader glanced up, but then furrowed his brows, "Ooi, I think you and Kouji are teamin' up against me."
"Ie, no da. Nothing like that, no da!" The monk sank into the seat at the head of the table. "It's just fun to make fun of you sometimes, no da."
"Gee, thanks," He rolled his eyes. "Breakfast gonna be done soon? I coulda sworn I heard someone call out for the twins."
"Hai! It is done, no da. Amiboshi's kaasan and tousan called him in, however. And they're all talking now, no da."
"Hn...then where's Kouji?"
The answer came in an open-fisted hit to the top of his head, and the said-bandit plopped down beside him, "Right here, Genrou. I coulda announced myself like normal, demo I preferred this approach. Heh."
Tasuki snorted, but then smirked, "So, what kept you so long? Yui-san? Huh? Huh?"
"Ie. She's cooking. Demo, I just can't get over what a great person she is. It's like she's the complete opposite of all the things everyone said about the Seiryuu no Miko the first time around."
"Hai, no da. Yui-chan is a lot different now. She took the time to grow and better herself, no da. We actually have quite a bit in common."
"Un...she really is somethin'..." Kouji smiled faintly to himself.
"Ya love her, don't ya? And ya wanna marry her. And make a whole buncha babies, and--itte!" Tasuki rubbed the top of his head, which suffered from yet another hit.
"Genrou, you have no class..."
"Hmph! Like you do?"
"More than you," He grinned playfully.
"Heh, sure, sure. Whatever you say, Kouji. Just remember I'm still the boss!"
"Hai, hai. Whatever you say, Genrou..." Kouji mocked, but then grew serious. "We oughta find a night to go out and drink ourselves stupid before we go to Kutou. It's been a while since we've done anything like that!"
"Un! You got it!"
"Mou, I'd probably have to be the one to drag both of you back here after you finally pass out, no da."
"Ooi, why don't you come along with us, Chichiri? It'd be like a guys-night-out. Or somethin'," The redhead tilted his head toward his fellow seishi.
"Well, I suppose I'd have to, no da. To keep you two baka's from doing something stupid, no da!"
"Heh, un. It'll be like a guys night out...excluding the two Seiryuu seishi," Kouji added to Tasuki's previous comment.
"I don't know...I bet Suboshi could go for a drink after everythin'."
Both Chichiri and Kouji exchanged looks before the blue-haired bandit placed a hand on his leader's forehead, "Anou...are you feelin' all right, Genrou? 'Cause that just sounded an awful lot like you were actually talkin' about invitin' him along."
"Tasuki had a lot of time to spend with Suboshi, no da. Maybe he realized how much of a hothead they both are, no da!"
Genrou narrowed his eyes, "Ie! Ain't nothin' like that! I can't stand him. I just kinda thought...I dunno, maybe we should all just try an' get along for Yui's sake..." Man, what the hell is my problem feeling sorry for that murderin' scum?
"Shouldn't that be my line? I'm the one tryin' to impress her. If anyone asks, I'm gonna take credit for it," Kouji smirked.
"Whatever. Wouldn't want anyone ta know I thought of it. It'd ruin my image!"
"Un. We couldn't have anyone think you'd actually have an intelligent thought, now can we, Genrou?"
"No one would believe it anyway, no da. They all know how much of a baka Tasuki is, no da!"
The two snickered with Tasuki fuming in his seat, but luckily the rest of their group and Amiboshi's parents stepped out of the kitchen with breakfast in hand. All but Suboshi dished out helpings for everyone, and the younger twin slipped to the other side of the table, waiting for his brother to sit down before he did. When Koutoku found his seat, Shunkaku carefully sank beside him, sparing a glance toward the others. Yui and Xi Fang remained standing, however, smiling to themselves. The woman of the household closed her eyes happily as her husband stretched an arm across her shoulders.
"It smells absolutely wonderful, Xi Fang-chan, Yui-chan!"
"Arigatou!" Both stated separately.
"Demo...what is this round thing...?" The mother poked at the edge of Yui's breakfast with a chopstick tip.
"It's called a pancake..." The miko explained. "It's a breakfast from my world!"
Tasuki's lower lid twitched upward, "Breakfast...from your world, huh?"
"Un! Why are you making that face, Tasuki...?" Cobalt oculars regarded him in suspicion.
"Because he's had some cooking from your world before, Yui-chan! Isn't that right, Tasuki?" Xi Fang smirked, crossing her arms over her chest."
"I'm sure if it's from Yui-sama's world, then it's nothing less than perfect!" Suboshi smiled brightly, looking toward her.
Genrou coughed, clearing his throat at nearly the same time he spoke, "You sure about that?"
"Why are you talking to me?" The younger twin's brows furrowed. His question was not inquisitive, more like a bit menacing. Tasuki better watch what he said for the rest of the day.
"A-anou..." Amiboshi could sense the tension between the two. Everyone could. They were like the matching sides of a magnet, being forced together, but wanting nothing more than to repel one another. He had to be the one to break that for now, to be the metal at least one of them could cling onto. "Shunkaku, why don't you try the 'pancake' first? Just for Yui-sama. You can tell us what it's like, too."
"H-huh? Oh. Hai, aniki."
Suboshi took his chopsticks, glancing over the pancake for a moment. His lips set together, and he plucked the edge between them, raising the entire thing off the plate with a blink. Everyone else watched him intently as he struggled with the food, and he was just about to bring it up to his mouth like that, when Yui released a laugh, making her way toward him. Her arms slipped around his shoulders, hands guiding his to set the breakfast down.
"Gomen ne. I probably should have thought about this before I made them. You guys don't have forks here. Hm...I'm sure there's a way..." The miko kept her fingers around his wrists as she studied the plate thoughtfully. Suddenly her features lit up. "I know! This should be a lot easier...here..."
A coloration of light pink graced Suboshi's cheeks slightly as he found his eating utensils guided differently by her touch. He glanced back toward her face, then down at the meal. Her hands were so smooth. It always amazed him every time they met his skin...just how silken fingertips could feel. And she smelled so wonderful. The lovely feminine scent wafting heavily over his shoulders, making him feel lightheaded with enjoyment at the closeness. He could only watch as she made one of the wooden tips pierce the single layer of the round cake and the edge of the other slipped across a thin portion. The piece was separated completely, and slowly, Yui drew back from him...carrying with her all the things Suboshi was temporarily enjoying the closeness of.
"There...it...should be better now..." She was a bit breathless, almost like the same things Suboshi was feeling had an opposite, yet, equivalent effect on her.
Kouji looked between them, feeling the electric pulses of jealousy that raced through him momentarily. But, he silently averted his gaze toward the food on his plate. All wasn't lost yet, he knew that. It was just the looks between them that got to him. So much hidden emotion seemed buried there, and it got to him because he cared about Yui quite a bit. He had only known her for a short time, but that was one of his tragic downfalls...entering himself far too quickly in emotions at points. Kouji just certainly hoped that things worked out, and only time would be able to tell. He just had to give it that.
Xi Fang tilted her head with interest, if not a bit of jealousy, "So, how is it, Suboshi? Are you going to try it, or not?" Anxious was she, to find out if she had more competition in cooking than she had previously thought.
"Huh?" Suboshi blinked, snapping out of his ephemeral daze. "Oh, right!"
He plucked the pancake piece up easily, offering a smile toward Yui, before he placed it in his mouth. The girl nipped on her lower lip, waiting in anxious anticipation for his response. Shunkaku chewed thoughtfully, before he swallowed with a grin.
"It's wonderful, Yui-sama! I've never tasted anything like it, it's so good."
"Anou...so is all the food I made!" Xi Fang added nervously.
The miko smiled in relief, seeing the others begin to eat them as well. She received only good comments, and finally ate some of her own, so glad that it was actually a success. Of course, Xi Fang's went over well, too. It always seemed to, after all. The parents thanked them at some point during breakfast, dismissing themselves so that the group had come up with plans in peace as they had intended on doing the day before. When nearly all the prepared meal was gone, the main discussion commenced.
"All right, no da. We have to think of something that will help us move freely through Kutou to gather up as much information as we can, no da," Chichiri looked toward the others for possible suggestions.
"Why don't we just kill all the people who get in our way?" Tasuki took the last pancake off the plate, rolling it up and biting off the end.
"Tasuki-san...that's hardly stealthy..." Amiboshi sweatdropped.
"Eh well, that's Genrou for ya," Kouji shrugged.
"Demo, it'd probably work," Suboshi raised his eyes toward the rest, before finishing off his juice.
"Suboshi, I don't think it's a good idea," Yui shook her head, settling her gaze on Chichiri. "Haven't you gone through the castle before? In the form of Nakago?"
"Damn straight he did! Nearly gave me a damn heart attack when I thought he was the real one and gonna kill Miaka," The bandit leader glared at his fellow seishi, who's smile didn't waver.
"Hai, no da. I could probably sneak in posing as Nakago again, no da. Demo, I'm not sure how that would help you, no da."
Xi Fang perked up, "We could dress up like brothel girls! Or maybe some from the harem. I'm pretty sure if you gave me a day, I could sew up some nice kimono's."
"Nani?! There ain't no way I'm dressin' up like a girl!" Tasuki narrowed his eyes.
"That was Nuriko-san's thing. It wouldn't be right to intrude on his territory," Amiboshi rubbed the back of his neck with a nervous smile.
The girl rolled her eyes, "Ie! Not the guys! Just me and Yui-chan!"
"It sounds like it'll work, no da. Now, how about everyone else?"
"We knock everyone out of the way!" Genrou gave a fangy grin.
"And push our way in with brute force," Suboshi glanced toward the redhead with a smirk. Oddly enough, it wasn't the first time he agreed with him, but it was the first time he voiced his agreement out loud.
"Is that your solution to everything? We need a plan...not just to barge in and get ourselves killed," Kouji furrowed a brow, but his expression became warm as it landed on Yui. "What do you think we should do, Seiryuu no Miko-san?"
"Oh, well...I..." She blinked, glancing between the group with a helpless shrug. "Perhaps if you guys dressed up as soldiers, demo I don't know where we would get the uniforms from."
"I could probably pick them up easily if I posed as Nakago, no da."
"Great. We're all playing one big game of dress-up..." Amiboshi commented, sinking back a bit more comfortably in his chair.
His mirrored image glimpsed at him, but then toward Chichiri, "And what if you're caught...?" He wanted to add something along the lines of 'like the stupid Suzakuu seishi you are,' but decided against it.
"I'm not sure, no da. Demo, I'm sure I would be able to find a way out of it no matter what, no da!" Chichiri smiled brightly, and Tama leapt up onto his lap, meowing in reply. The monk laughed, scratching behind the fur-covered ear. "See! Even neko-chan agrees, no da!"
"Then it's settled. This is what we're doing, ne?" Kouji looked around for affirmation.
"Un. It's the best thing I can think up to do," Yui nodded, offering a side glance toward Suboshi, but then it drifted toward Chichiri. "We'll leave the morning after tomorrow. It'll give us time to prepare the kimono's, and also give Suboshi a bit extra time to heal."
"I agree, Yui-san. Otouto needs at least one more day, and if he's not healed by that point, then I'm sure Xi Fang-san would be able to heal him up, ne?"
The said-healer nodded, "Hai."
"Aniki, I won't need that. I'm sure I'll be fine."
"Well, we'll have to see, now won't we?"
"I guess it's settled then, no da," Chichiri picked up Tama as he rose to his feet. "Until we leave for sure, we're free to do whatever we want, no da. Just be extra careful. We don't know what Kutou has planned next, na no da."
"I'm sure it'll be just fine, Chichiri! For now, we should start to clean up here. Who wants to help me?" The miko smiled.
"I will," Kouji and Suboshi stated simultaneously, only to glare at one another.
Yui offered a laugh, collecting a few plates, "Well, the more help, the merrier...!"
"Like...the merry men you mentioned, ne?" The blue-haired bandit grinned somewhat.
"Hai! Just like them!" She closed her eyes cheerfully. "Now, come on, you two...we'll get dishes duty. Xi Fang, you can clean the table."
"Geeze, Yui-chan, you're starting to give orders to everyone now, ne? Ah well, you go have fun with the two boys," She winked teasingly. "Amiboshi will help me after all!"
The juice went down the wrong way for a moment, and the musician cleared his throat, taking the brim away from his lips, "I-I will?"
Xi Fang shoved some dishes in his direction, furrowing a brow, "Un!"
"All right, all right," He sweatdropped, but caught his brother by the shoulder just before he left.
They stared each other deep in the eyes for a moment, before the contact was broken, and Suboshi felt a tingle rise up along his forearm. His fingers twitched slightly, and he looked toward the characters that graced his skin. The words 'be good' were written in kanji across it, and Shunkaku returned his attention to the identical visage, giving him a nod, and then walking into the kitchen after Yui.
It's easier said than done, aniki. This is Kouji we're talking about. Demo, I'll try. I really will...
***
The radio was louder than it needed to be, and the sky was starting to lighten, showing that the sunrise was only just an hour or so away. Keisuke sat in the passenger's side of Tetsuya's car, resting his head back against the seat. Bangs of honey-gold drooped sloppily across his forehead, and his clothing was slightly crumpled. Tetsuya found him asleep against the stall in the bathroom of the strip club. Apparently, he had fallen off the toilet and to the floor, sleeping for who knew how long. It took several poundings on the metal in order to wake him up, and that was when he decided to leave the place and drag him into the car.
So, they were on their way back, and even Tetsuya's eyes were growing a bit heavy behind the sunglasses. However, the music kept him awake, and home wasn't too far away. Home...being a dorm at campus for him. Keisuke often crashed there, and was actually his assigned roommate, but his house was close enough to the college that he could stay in either place whenever he wished. This was just one of those times where taking him back to his family was the best idea. If not for anything else, Miaka's sake.
The driver lifted his hand for a second to check the speedometer, slowing the car just slightly, and then his attention returned to the road, "Got a big psych test today, don't we?"
"Un..." Keisuke looked up, rubbing his eyes for a moment. "Too bad you're not gonna be there for it."
"Heh, well...I'll be off rescuing Yui-chan and making all the other girls swoon."
"Hmph. I doubt it."
Tetsuya snickered, making a turn on the nearly vacant road, "Tonight was fun, ne?"
"What part of it was fun?" His brow twitched slightly.
"Well, the girls. You like girls, don't ya? You were the one who used to hoard all the dirty magazines and watch scrambled porn."
"Tetsuya! Things change..." Azure oculars glanced out the window at the passing scenery, all draped over with a darkened blanket. His voice softened a bit as he started to speak again. "Now...I just like Yui-chan."
"Ah, he's a one-girl man now. Yuuki, Keisuke...my dorky sidekick has a thing for his little sister's best friend. Who is not surprised here?"
"Ugh, shut up, Tetsuya! Just start thinking of ways not to be killed in the 'Shijin Tenchi Sho.' "
"I won't need to think. I got a plan. It's called the avoid-all-the-Seiryuu-seishi-except-Soi plan."
"She's going to think you're a baka. I'm telling you."
"Shows what you know. Ooi, we're just about at your house, though," Tetsuya pointed out at some familiar tree lines.
"Un. What time is it? Do I have any time for sleep at all...?"
"Five in the morning. You have some."
Keisuke nodded, falling silent the rest of the way there. It didn't take too long before they turned in the driveway. A sneaker-covered foot pressed on the brake, and then the car was put in park. Tetsuya pushed his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose, glancing over at his friend. The blond lethargically unbuckled his seatbelt, leaning forward and then meeting the other's gaze. He forced him a weak smile before he reached to his side, lifting the handle and pushing the door open. Stumbling out tiredly, the college student paused, turning back. A palm rested on the roof of the car and he peered inside.
"Tetsuya, when you go home tonight, I think you should give this all some long thought. Going into an Ancient Chinese book, pitting yourself up against people with supernatural powers...you need to be careful. And really sure about all of it, too..."
"Heh, you should know by now, Keisuke. Whenever I get an idea in my head, there's no one who can get it out. I'll put in a good word with Yui-chan for you when I see her."
Keisuke rolled his eyes, "Un, un. Then...I'll see you just before you go into here, I guess." He raised the book to indicate what he was talking about.
"You got it, Keisuke. Ah well, I'll just let ya get some rest...ja ne!"
"Ja," He waved to the driver, closing the door.
Tetsuya took off, and his best friend lingered there for a few seconds, before turning the opposite way and creeping silently into the house. As he had expected, all the lights were out. Everyone was asleep, and thankfully, unaware of the insane hour he was returning at. Keisuke reached behind himself to press in the lock, quite pleased that his Mom had completely forgotten about sealing it for the night. Moonlight bled through the drapery, lining bits and pieces of the floor. As quietly as possible, he navigated himself to the other side, sneaking into his own room where it was safe to turn on the light.
Keisuke closed himself in, tossing the book onto his desk. Afterward, he discarded his clothes, allowing them to fall piece by piece into a pile near the other outfits he had worn previously that week. Simply in his boxer shorts of a solid blue hue, he settled himself onto the chair in front of the work table. He wasn't the most well-chisled man in the world. Heck, his muscles were practically nonexistent. But, he was fairly toned, not buff or anything like that. Just decently built with slender creases along his chest for pectorals and abdomen; slight dips in arms where his bisceps flexed as he clutched the edge of the surface.
He flipped through the pages to where he last left off, skimming over it with a yawn. Keisuke attempted to shake away his grogginess, propping a chin on his palm, "Must. Catch. Up."
The college student began to read, but his body wouldn't listen to his irrational demand to stay awake. Before he knew it, 'The Universe of the Four Gods' became a pillow as his head drooped completely, lips parting somewhat for a quiet, yet audible snore. And beneath his cheek were the Japanese characters that summed up Nakago's plan...
**Next Chapter Previews:
Taka meets up with the others and essentially agrees to return to 'The Universe of the Four Gods' much to Miaka's dismay. Tetsuya is right there with him, and both enter the book world, only to find themselves in the middle of Kutou. Will they be able to get out before being caught? Next time in 'The Ties that Bind.' Things don't always turn out the way they were dreamed to be.
Extra Author's Notes: Hm...I think Sweeps week is getting to me. Too many chests floating around on the shows I watch that I felt I needed to have one in my fic. Keisuke's very sexy in my opinion. Hehe, anyway...I'll get to my point here. I'm sorry about my incessant rambling, but let me tell you...I must be doing something right with this fic. I've been generating such a response from people, provoking so many emotions, making them angry or forcing them to feel the need to send me E-mails stating their opinions on what I should do. And to that I just have to say...I LOVE IT! ^_^! Hehe, it mostly has to do with the Kouji/Yui/Suboshi thing. If I can make you violently hate Kouji, and feel sympathy toward Suboshi or the other way around...then I accomplished what I set out to do. I made you feel so attached to my characters, that they've become almost real. Something that you're so involved in that you feel a need to come to me just to fill your Suboshi/Yui craving or what not.
Now, let me say this...I'm a soap opera fan. I'll proudly admit that. I love watching conflicting romances, and have had to suffer through pairings that I didn't agree with. Though, there's not much you can do. If they want to make Philip Kiriakis a jackass just so they can pair Chloe and Brady, you're forced to suffer through it. They do what they want, their way. But, that's one thing I'm not doing. I'm not trying to force Kouji and Yui together. Kouji's not trying to force himself on Yui either. He simply thinks he stands a chance, and who knows if he does or not. I'm not going to tell you either way. You just have to suffer and endure it until I decide it's time to show which pairings I've had in mind. E-mailing me or trying to force your opinion on my own, is not going to change my mind. All I ask, is for you to be patient...and just ride it out. I can't please everyone, and it's fun to hear everyone's conflicting opinions...but I'm not going to waver with what I have planned, and I just want you to know that.
I'm not trying to sound rotten or mean or anything. I just want to state that little fact. That doesn't mean I want to stop you from telling me your opinions, not at all. I just don't want you to come to me thinking it's going to waver my story. There are little things that it probably will make a big difference in and I could use your input...like minor pairings and such. Just not the big major ones. Let me write that myself...and trust that it'll mend itself. Hm, and I've said rotten things about Subbo-kun in Author's Notes. But, not once, did I ever say that he was horrible, or 'evil' or anything like that in the story itself. I never say in my narration 'Suboshi was a cruel, murdering, stupidhead.' ^_^ And if it's in there somewhere, chances are it's being thought of by Tasuki. I like my interpretation of Suboshi actually. Just the same way I like Huffpuff-chan's interpretation of him, or Kaen-chan's. I'm sure I'd like Ai-chan's too! (You just got so many stories, I don't know where to start reading! *____*) I just didn't like him all that much in the series, and especially not the OVA.
I'll admit I like Amiboshi better. But, I'm not trying to make him the 'perfect' twin. Not at all. The Suzakuu seishi don't say anything to him about what he did because Amiboshi made up for it in the series when he helped out Miaka and Tamahome. If they didn't have that so obviously out there, I might have Amiboshi feel guilt for what he did. But, Suboshi is definitely someone they can't forgive so easily...even though Tasuki's beginning to see that there's redeemable qualities about him. Lastly, everyone really seems to like the Amiboshi/Xi Fang thing. I'm glad about that! ^_^ Of course, Touka's going to enter the story, and you'll have a whole new person to get mad at, but we'll see how that works out.
Okay, I think I said a bit too much here...but that's why I put it at the end. You had the option to skip right by it. ^_^ I'll try to be good in getting out the next chapter in a week, and once again...thank you so much for your reviews!