Hanamichi woke up with all tranquility the world could offer. His head laid on the robust chest he had always loved. He took a deep and peaceful breath.
His scent.
Smells like an old wine... still pure and strong.
Like a ripe grape harvested for thousands of years.
He ran his palm across that chest and leaned his head more to feel the heartbeat.
It used to beat for his name... for his presence. But 7 years had gone by... is it still beating for the same man?
Hanamichi lifted his head and level his eyes with Kaede's closed ones.
They exchanged breaths.
Hanamichi touched his hard but smooth cheek.
Then he kissed him... gently.
"I love you..." He murmured across Kaede's semi-parted lips. "All through this years... I still love you."
Hanamichi's copper brown eyes flashed sadness... desperation... and regrets.
"I should have fought for you... for our love..." As if his tongue was stuck... he had a hard time to continue his sentence. "But I didn't. And I paid seven years of loneliness and longing."
Hanamichi rested his head on his shoulder and oblivious of Kaede's now opened eyes... Kaede woke up.
"Everytime Akira brought me to his arms... I cursed no one but myself."
When Hanamichi seemed to have reached the end... Kaede ran his fingers across Hanamichi's hip and went upwards to touched Hanamichi's lips.
They kissed once more... a deep and a very passionate one.
knock. knock. knock.
A persistent knocking on the door stunned them.
"What?" Kaede, irritated, yelled at the intruder who went inside that cottage without waiting for the door to be opened.
"Forgive me..." The soldier knelt before their bed. Kaede assured that the thin blanket for the prisoners, covered Hanamichi's lower body. "Forgive me, master. The emperor's royal army with the help of the armies from other cities are here and they're starting a battle."
It shocked Kaede... but he didn't panic.
"Bring all my gadgets and uniform here. Now."
The soldier nodded and ran away.
Kaede and Hanamichi exchanged looks.
A plan suddenly hit Kaede's mind and he sped towards the door and called any soldier he laid eyes on.
"You! I want the emperor's son heavily guarded!"
When he returned to the bed... Hanamichi gave him a suspicious look.
"What are you going to do to my son?" Hanamichi asked him.
"He's not your son." Kaede gritted his teeth.
Five women came inside the cottage with all of Kaede's things for battle... his helmet, his leotards, his metal armors and boots, his sword and the rebellion necklace, which Hanamichi barely noticed.
"Don't you dare hurt my son!" Hanamichi walked towards him while keeping the blanket towelled across his hips. "Swear to me... Kaede."
Kaede flashed him a serious and a terrifying look.
"If Akira's troupe doesn't stop killing my people.. I would kill his son." He said, as if he's not talking to the the father of that child.
"You won't hurt him!" Hanamichi grabbed him by the chest. Kaede was already dressing and he seized Hanamichi's wrists and pulled him nearer.
Kaede wrapped his arm around his waist protectively. "You won't leave me again. I won't allow that. You'll stay by my side."
Kaede ordered the women to take Hanamichi's clothes and dress him.
That happened and when it did... Kaede went out the cottage and saw the burning battle outside. The emperor's troupe reached the camp.
But he has the aces... the emperor's loved one.. the emperor's son.
tobecontinued